Change of Status

Students who have been admitted to or are already studying in full-time in-person academic programs may hold another status in the U.S. independently of their affiliation with Georgetown.

Many students complete their Georgetown program without ever requesting OGS F-1 support. Students considering change of status must know and understand the conditions of the status they will pursue.

Please email newinternational@georgetown.edu for Georgetown OGS guidance on change of status. Students may need to seek legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney for their particular situation. Depending on specific circumstances, students currently in the U.S. may have two different options to begin a new status based on their Georgetown enrollment.

Change of Status via Travel

  • Request Form I-20 from Georgetown OGS.
  • File Form DS-160 to apply for student visa from U.S. Department of State.
  • Attend visa interview at U.S. embassy or consulate outside U.S.
  • Obtain F-1 visa photo page stamped in passport.
  • Travel to U.S. within 30 days before and no later than Form I-20 program start date.
  • Be admitted by U.S. customs, resulting in I-94 record of F-1 admission.
  • Activate F-1 record in SEVIS by completing post-arrival requirements.

Change of Status via USCIS

Students who approach OGS about the possibility of applying to change their nonimmigrant status to F-1 from within the United States will be advised to consult an immigration attorney about their eligibility and the application mechanics.

Students must obtain their Change of Status Form I-20 from Georgetown OGS before filing Form I-539 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

  • As a general condition, exiting U.S. during I-539 pendency is considered abandonment of the application.
  • Students whose USCIS change of status application is approved must timely notify OGS to register their SEVIS record.
  • Students who travel outside U.S. after changing to F-1 status via USCIS must obtain an F-1 visa from U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling back to U.S. as F-1 students.

OGS maintains the SEVIS record as pending in Initial status until the student notifies OGS that their USCIS application is adjudicated. Benefits of F-1 status such as employment authorization are not available until after the change of status application is approved and F-1 status takes effect. Change of status applicants must remain informed and mindful of any situation-specific conditions on their presence in the U.S. before F-1 status takes effect.

  • Students whose current/prior status allows full time study may begin their academic program during the pendency of their change of status application.
    • Students who were employed in their current/prior status must be prepared to discontinue any non-F employment before their F-1 status takes effect.
  • Students whose current/prior status does not allow full time study must not begin their F-1 program during the pendency of their change of status application.
    • Depending on the program’s curricular structure and on the student’s current/prior status (e.g. F-2 dependent), it may be possible to begin the program on a part time basis as long as it will be possible to switch to full time study with a valid trajectory to program completion once F-1 status takes effect.

Please see this USCIS webpage: Changing to a Nonimmigrant F Student Status. USCIS change of status applicants may pay an additional fee for Premium Processing. USCIS change of status is not possible in certain cases, including:

  • Current or former J-1 (or J-2) exchange visitors subject to 212(e) home country physical presence requirement.
  • Currently in the U.S. having been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).
  • Currently in M-1 status for vocational study.