Change of status within the U.S.

B1/B2 to F1/F2

Change of status from B1/B2 to F1/F2

B1 and B2 visas are short-term U.S. business and tourist visas with a validity of ten years. They allow multiple entries within the validity period, with each entry permitting a stay of up to six months. In contrast, the F1 visa is a U.S. student visa valid for 5 years, allowing you to stay in the U.S. as long as you continue to study.

Many people who did not initially plan to study in the U.S. decide to stay for studies after coming to the U.S. for tourism. Applying for a change of status from tourist to student within the U.S. avoids the hassle of flying back to your home country to apply for a visa and can save time.

Our expert team is fully equipped to address all your questions regarding status changes. With years of in-depth experience and a meticulous approach, Ivy International has successfully handled over 1,000 status change cases in recent years, boasting an impressive success rate of nearly 100%. Our commitment to excellence ensures you receive top-tier guidance and support throughout the entire process. The decision to change your status should primarily consider the following points:

Confirm whether it is really necessary to change your status within the U.S.

Changing from a B1/B2 status to an F1 student status within the U.S. may not be suitable for everyone. Both changing status within the U.S. and applying for a visa from abroad have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are in your home country and are certain that you want to study in the U.S., and if you meet all the necessary requirements, we recommend applying for a U.S. student visa from abroad. As long as you maintain your student status and continue your studies without interruption, you may enter and exit the U.S. during the visa’s validity period. On the other hand, if you change your status from B1/B2 to F1 within the U.S., you will need to wait 3 to 6 months (or pay an additional Premium Processing Fee of $1,965 for expedited processing). Moreover, if you leave the U.S., you will need to apply for a student visa from abroad to return and continue your studies.

When is the most appropriate time to submit the application?

It is generally acceptable to submit a change of status application after 90 days of entering the U.S. on a tourist visa. If the applicant submits the change of status application immediately upon entry, it may raise suspicions of visa fraud and increase the likelihood of a denial.

Fees for changing status

The SEVIS fee is $350, the USCIS online filing application fee is $420, there is an additional Premium Processing Fee of $1,965 for expedited processing, and our company’s service fee. During the pending period of the status change (i.e., before the F1 status is officially approved), you are not required to attend school or pay any tuition fees.

How long after applying can you obtain F1 status?

Without Premium Processing, it takes about 3 months; with Premium Processing, it takes less than 30 days. Applicants need to remain in the U.S. while waiting for the adjudication result; leaving the U.S. during this waiting period is considered an automatic abandonment of the application.

Important considerations after receiving the USCIS approval letter

After the change of status application is approved, you will receive an official approval notice from the USCIS. Within 30 days after the date specified in the approval letter, the student must report to the school and prepare for the start of classes. If, for any reason, you are unable to attend school as scheduled, you should notify the school within this period to request a deferral of enrollment.

Successful cases of changing from B1/B2 to F1/F2

(The following are just a few typical cases of status changes for different reasons, for reference only. Each student’s situation is unique, and the schools applied to and the status change plans may vary. For more detailed information, please feel free to call Ivy International Education at 626-247-4039. The first consultation is free!)

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【B1 to F1 Successful Case】Student S from Arizona, 36 years old with a bachelor's degree, came to the U.S. for a business trip in August 2023 and then decided to stay to study. Ivy International assisted Student W in applying for a master's program at a university in Arizona. The B1 to F1 application was submitted on December 28, 2023, and successfully approved on April 2, 2024! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【B2 to F1/F2 Successful Case】Ms. L from Northern California, 42 years old with an associate degree, decided to change from a B2 visa to F1 status to stay in the U.S. for studies after entering on a tourist visa. Her 11-year-old child also needed to change to F2 status. Ivy International assisted Ms. L in applying for dual admission to a university in Northern California for both language and undergraduate programs. The B2 to F1 application was submitted on December 19, 2023, and the F1 status was successfully approved on February 7, 2024, with the child's F2 status also approved! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【B2 to F1/F2 Successful Case】Ms. L from Southern California, 44 years old with a bachelor's degree, decided to change from a B2 visa to F1 status to stay in the U.S. for studies after entering on a tourist visa. Her spouse and child also needed to change to F2 status. Ms. L’s spouse, as the primary applicant, had the whole family in a professional immigration backlog. Ivy International assisted Ms. L in applying to a language school in Southern California. The B2 to F1 application was submitted on November 29, 2023, and the F1 status was successfully approved on January 25, 2024, with the spouse and child also receiving F2 status! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【B1 to F1 Successful Case】Student W from Michigan, 29 years old with a bachelor's degree, came to the U.S. for a business trip in September 2023 and then decided to stay for studies. Ivy International assisted Student W in applying for a master's program at a university in Michigan. The B1 to F1 expedited application was submitted on January 17, 2024, and was successfully approved just 6 days later on January 23, 2024! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【B2 to F1 Successful Case】Student W from Southern California, 16 years old and currently in high school, had an F1 student visa application rejected in China in December 2022. After coming to the U.S. for tourism in May 2023, they decided to stay to study. Ivy International assisted Student W in applying to an American language school. The B2 to F1 application was submitted in September 2023. In December 2023, USCIS issued a request for additional evidence, which was submitted, and the application was successfully approved on January 9, 2024! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【B2 to F1/F2 Successful Case】Ms. L from Southern California, 41 years old with an associate degree, decided to change from a B2 visa to an F1 visa to stay in the U.S. for studies after entering on a tourist visa. Ivy International assisted Ms. L in applying to a school in Southern California for both language and undergraduate programs. The B2 to F1 expedited application was submitted on January 8, 2024, and was approved directly just three days later on January 11, 2024. Her spouse and child also received F2 status! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【B2 to F1/F2 Successful Case】Ms. S from Southern California, 40 years old with a master's degree, decided to change from a B2 visa to an F1 visa to stay in the U.S. for studies after entering on a tourist visa. Ivy International Education assisted Ms. S in applying for a doctoral program at a university in Southern California. The B2 to F1 application was submitted on September 1, 2023, and was successfully approved on December 12, 2023! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

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J1/J2 to F1/F2

J1/J2 to F1/F2

In recent years, the number of people coming to the U.S. on J1 visas has been increasing, and there are various classifications of J1 visas, including exchange students, visiting scholars, internship programs, Au Pair programs, and more. Many students who complete their J1 programs wish to change to F1 status to study in the U.S., and some wish to change to F1 status due to personal reasons before completing their J1 program. In such cases, a change of status application is required.

Applying for a change of status within the U.S. is generally simpler and faster than returning to your home country for a visa. This makes it the preferred option for most applicants. However, eligibility for changing status within the U.S. depends on whether you are subject to the Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement. This requirement means that J1 visa holders who wish to apply for a green card, change status, or apply for work or fiancé(e) visas (H, L, K) must first return to their home country for at least two years.

Typically, the following J1 visitors are subject to this two-year requirement:

J1 programs funded by a government or international organizations.
Professionals in fields listed on a particular country’s skill list.
Medical research professionals funded by the Educational Commission.

Your DS-2019 form and visa will indicate if this restriction applies to you.

If you are not subject to the two-year rule, you can directly submit your change of status application to the USCIS. If you are subject to this requirement, you must first apply for a “letter of no objection” from the Embassy of your home country in the U.S., then seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of State. J1 waivers typically take 3 to 6 months. After obtaining the waiver, you can then apply for a change of status with the USCIS. Those with an expiring J1 status must submit their change of status application before their J1 program ends. If you are changing status before your J1 status expires, you must maintain a valid J1 status while your application is pending. The application processing time usually takes 3 to 6 months, during which time you can legally stay in the U.S.

J1 visa holders can attend school while waiting for their change of status, though you can also choose to start studying only after your status has been successfully changed to F1. It’s important to check in with your school within 30 days of receiving your USCIS approval notice; failing to do so can result in losing your F1 status.

Alternatively, J1 visa holders can return to their home country to apply for an F1 visa, which may be more convenient for those subject to the two-year requirement since no waiver is needed for this type of visa. Waivers are only required for H, L, K visas, or green card applications.

Some J1 holders consider applying for an F1 visa in a third country, such as Canada or Mexico. However, U.S. consulates in Mexico only process visa extensions and do not accept different visa types, so J1 holders cannot apply for an F1 visa there. While Canada does accept F1 visa applications, a Canadian traveler visa may be required before traveling to Canada. Additionally, if your J1 visa expires while you’re in Canada and your F1 application is denied, you would need to return to your home country directly from Canada.

J1/J2 to F1/F2 Successful Cases

Here are a few examples of successful status changes, which we hope will be helpful to applicants.

【J1 to F1 Successful Case】Student N, 26, from China, participated in a J1 Au Pair program in Northern California from March 2017 to March 2019. As the program was ending, N decided to switch to an F1 visa to continue studying in the U.S. We assisted N in applying for an education program at a school in Northern California and submitted the J1 to F1 application in March 2019. The application was successfully approved on May 15, 2019! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【J1 to F1 Successful Case】Student ZH, 27, came to the U.S. on a J1 visa. After working on the J1 program for a while, ZH wished to switch to F1 status to continue studying in the U.S. ZH has a bachelor's degree from China but did not have TOEFL or IELTS scores. Our advisors at Ivy International Education assisted ZH in applying for a dual admission to a master's program at a U.S. university, and we submitted the J1 to F1 application in early August 2018. In mid-February 2019, we received a request for additional documents from USCIS. After submitting the requested documents, the application was approved on April 17, 2019! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【J1 to F1 Successful Case】Student L, from China, came to California on a J1 visa in July 2016 to participate in an Au Pair program, which ended in July 2018. In June 2018, L entrusted Ivy International to apply to an educational institution and submitted a J1 to F1 application. Due to the thorough preparation of the application materials, USCIS did not request additional documents, and the application was directly approved in January 2019! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【J1 to F1 Successful Case】Student H, from China, came to California on an Au Pair program. After two months with the first host family, H found the situation uncomfortable and moved to a second host family. After another two months, H had an unpleasant experience with the second family and decided to terminate the Au Pair program and switch to F1 student status. H reached out to us in the final days of the J1 program. Due to the urgency, we quickly assisted H in applying to a school and submitted the status change application before the J1 status ended. Two and a half months after submitting the application, we received a request for additional documents from USCIS, and within a month of providing the requested documents, we received the USCIS approval notice. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【J1 to F1 Successful Case】Student M, from China, came to California as a postdoctoral researcher at a university. After completing the project, M wished to stay in the U.S. to continue studying. Since M already had a Ph.D. in the medical field, we recommended pursuing an MBA to gain more knowledge in management. Due to the two-year home-country requirement from M's previous J1 program, we first assisted M in applying for a J1 waiver before submitting the status change application. With thorough preparation of the materials, we received the USCIS approval notice two and a half months after submitting the application. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【J1 to F1 Successful Case】Student C, from China, 24 years old, with an associate degree from China, came to Texas on a J1 visa for an Au Pair program. After the program ended, C wished to switch to F1 status to continue studying in the U.S. We assisted C in applying to a local community college and submitted the J1 to F1 application in December 2017. The application was successfully approved on November 21, 2018. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

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In addition to J1 to F1 status changes, B1/B2, H1B, H4, L1, L2, and F2 statuses can also be changed to F1. Different types of statuses can be changed to one another. For more information, please contact Ivy International Consulting.

L1/L2 to F1/F2

What is an L1/L2 visa?

The L1 visa is designed for employees of international companies transferring to the U.S. for business purposes. It is suitable for employees of foreign companies who are being sent or relocated to work in the U.S. These companies must have a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the U.S. There are two types of L1 visas:

L1A: Issued to managers or executives of the company, allowing them to stay in the U.S. for up to seven years.
L1B: Issued to employees with specialized knowledge, allowing them to stay in the U.S. for up to five years.

The L1 visa holder’s spouse and children under 21 can apply for an L2 visa to live in the U.S. The spouse can work in the U.S., and the children can enjoy free public education.

What are F1 and F2 visas?

The F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to foreign students who are studying full-time in the United States. Students with an F1 visa can attend various educational institutions such as universities, community colleges, high schools, private elementary schools, seminaries, music schools, and language training programs. These institutions must be accredited by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and authorized to enroll foreign students. F1 visa holders can work on-campus, and off-campus employment requires special authorization. The spouse and children of an F1 visa holder can apply for an F2 visa to live in the U.S. The spouse of an F1 visa holder cannot work in the U.S., but the children are eligible for free public education.

Advantages of F1/F2 Status

1. The F1 status in the U.S. has no fixed duration; as long as you continue studying, the F1 status remains valid.
2. Children under 21 of F1 students can attend public schools for free.
3. The spouse of an F1 student can stay in the U.S. to live together.
4. F1 status allows for legal work both on-campus and off-campus through internship applications.

Processing Time for Changing L1/L2 Visas to F1/F2

The processing time for changing from L1/L2 to F1/F2 status is 3 to 6 months. Alternatively, you can pay an additional Premium Processing Fee of $1,965 for expedited processing.

If you need to apply for a change from L1/L2 to F1/F2 or wish to find out if you are eligible for such a change, feel free to consult Ivy International at (626) 247-4039.

In addition to L1/L2, visas such as B1/B2, H1B, H4, J1, J2, and F2 can also be changed to F1. Different nonimmigrant status can be converted among each other. For more information, please contact Ivy International Consulting.

L1/L2 to F1/F2 Successful Cases

(The following are just a few typical cases of changing status for different reasons, provided for reference. Each individual’s situation is different, as are the schools they apply to and their change of status plans. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact Ivy International Consulting for a detailed consultation.)

【L1 to F1/F2 Successful Case】Ms. SH, 40 years old, entered the U.S. on an L1 visa in May 2015 to take an executive position in California. In May 2018, due to company layoffs, Ms. SH faced the risk of unemployment, and both her L1 status and her child's L2 status were about to expire. Ms. SH decided to change to F1 status to continue studying in the U.S., improve her qualifications, and prepare for reemployment. Since Ms. SH did not have IELTS or TOEFL scores, she first attended a language school, passed the TOEFL exam, and then applied to a U.S. master's program. We assisted Ms. SH in applying to a nearby language school and submitted her L1 to F1 application in mid-May 2018. In early February 2019, she received a Request for Evidence (RFE) from the immigration office. After submitting the requested documents, her application was approved on March 14, 2019! Her 12-year-old child's L2 to F2 status was also approved simultaneously! (Click to view the immigration office approval notice)

【L1 to F1/F2 Successful Case】Ms. Z, 43 years old, with a bachelor's degree from China, entered the U.S. on an L1 visa to California. After a year, she decided to change to F1 status to pursue studies. As Ms. Z aspired to work in the education sector in the future, we assisted her in applying to a vocational school in the education field and submitted her L1 to F1 application on January 2, 2018. The application was approved on November 21, 2018! Ms. Z's 16-year-old daughter also received approval for her L2 to F2 status simultaneously! (Click to view the immigration office approval notice)

【L2 to F1 Successful Case】Ms. Y, 36 years old, was on an L2 visa in California. Due to a job change, her spouse had to give up the L1 status, which would also cause Ms. Y's L2 status to expire. Ms. Y wished to continue studying in the U.S., so she needed to change to F1 status. With her existing MBA degree, we assisted Ms. Y in applying for a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) program. We submitted the change of status application to the immigration office in February 2018, and due to well-prepared documentation, it was approved in May 2018. (Click to view the immigration office approval notice)

【L2 to F1 Successful Case】Student G, who was on an L2 visa in California, needed to change to an F1 visa to continue studying in the U.S. after turning 21, as L2 status expires upon reaching that age. We assisted Student G in applying to continue undergraduate studies at a university in California and submitted the change of status application to the immigration office. Due to well-prepared documentation, the application was approved within three months after submission. (Click to view the immigration office approval notice)

【L2 to F1 Successful Case】Ms. Y, 41 years old, was on an L2 visa in Georgia. With a bachelor's degree from China, she needed to switch to an F1 visa to stay in the U.S. and study art after her spouse gave up their L1 visa to return to work in China. We assisted Ms. Y in applying to an art university in Georgia. Since Ms. Y did not have TOEFL scores, she needed to first enroll in the university's language program to improve her English before starting her major courses. After receiving the university's admission, we submitted Ms. Y's L2 to F1 change of status application to the immigration office in early December 2017, and it was successfully approved on November 28, 2018. (Click to view the immigration office approval notice)

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H1B/H4 to F1/F2

What are H1B and H4 visas?

The H1B visa is one of the primary work visa categories in the United States, issued to foreign workers with specialized skills employed by U.S. companies. It is a non-immigrant visa. H1B visa holders can work in the U.S. for three years, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional three years. After a total of six years, if the visa holder’s status has not been adjusted, they must leave the U.S. (*In certain cases, extensions beyond six years may still be possible.) The H4 visa is for the spouse of an H1B visa holder.

What are F1/F2 visas?

The F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to foreign students who are enrolled full-time in educational programs in the United States. Students with an F1 visa can attend universities, community colleges, high schools, private elementary schools, seminaries, music schools, language training schools, and other educational institutions that are approved by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and authorized to enroll international students. F1 visa holders are allowed to work on campus, but off-campus work requires special authorization. The spouses and children of F1 visa holders can apply for F2 visas to live with them in the U.S. While F1 visa holders’ spouses cannot work in the U.S., their children are eligible for free public education.

Advantages of F1/F2 Status

Processing Time for H1B/H4 to F1/F2 Status

The processing time for changing from H1B/H4 to F1/F2 visas is usually 3 to 6 months. Alternatively, you can pay an additional Premium Processing Fee of $1,965 for expedited processing.

If you need to apply for a change of status from H1B/H4 to F1/F2 or wish to find out if you are eligible for such a change, feel free to consult Ivy International at (626) 247-4039.

In addition to H1B/H4, status such as B1, B2, L1, L2, J1, J2, and F2 can also be changed to F1. Different nonimmigrant status can be converted among each other. For more information, please contact Ivy International Consulting.

Successful Cases of H1B/H4 to F1/F2 Status Changes

(Here are just a few typical cases of status changes for different reasons, provided for reference only. Each individual’s situation varies, and the schools and status change plans differ accordingly. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact Ivy International Consulting.)

Click to see more of our latest successful change of status cases...

【Successful Case of Changing Status from H1B to F1】G, a 32-year-old student from China with a master’s degree, worked in Northern California on an H1B visa starting in November 2021. After resigning from the job on July 31, 2024, G decided to stay in the U.S. to study. On September 18, 2024, G was admitted to a master's program at a university in Northern California. Ivy International Consulting assisted G in submitting an expedited application to change from H1B to F1 status on September 24, 2024. Just one day later, on September 25, 2024, the application was successfully approved! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【Successful Case of Changing Status from H1B to F1】Y, a 32-year-old student from China with a bachelor’s degree, worked in Virginia on an H1B visa starting in 2018. Y applied for employment-based immigration, but the application was denied in July 2024. Afterward, Y decided to resign and change to F1 status to stay in the U.S. to study. In mid-August 2024, Y was admitted to an MBA program at a university in Virginia and submitted the H1B to F1 status change application to USCIS. On September 5, 2024, Y received a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS. Due to previous immigration applications, the requested materials were numerous and complex, and Y was unable to handle it alone. Y sought assistance from Ivy International Consulting, and we helped Y gather and prepare all the required documents. The completed RFE was submitted to USCIS on September 27, 2024, and the application was successfully approved on October 3, 2024. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【H4 to F1 Successful Case】Ms. J, 34 years old, from India, with a bachelor's degree, entered California, USA in September 2023 on an H4 visa to accompany her husband, who holds H1B status. Ms. J entrusted Ivy International to submit an expedited H4 to F1 application on August 28, 2024. After updating the I-20 as per USCIS's RFE request on September 16, 2024, her F1 visa was successfully approved on September 17, 2024! (Click to view the approval notice from USCIS.)

【H4 to F1 Successful Case】Mr. C, 45 years old, was on an H4 status in Northern California. On October 7, 2023, Mr. C submitted his H4 to F1 application himself. Because Mr. C submitted his status change application after the H4 status had expired and the application materials were insufficient, he received a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS on February 7, 2024. Mr. C then sought assistance from Ivy International Consulting, which helped him provide a reasonable explanation for the late application and submitted the required supporting documents. The application was approved on March 4, 2024! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【H1B to F1 Successful Case】Z, who was working in Minnesota, reached out to Ivy International Consulting for assistance with changing from H1B to F1 status after losing his job. Ivy International helped Z apply for a master's program at a university in Minnesota and submitted the H1B to F1 application to USCIS on December 29, 2020. On June 16, 2022, Z received a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, and after providing the additional required documents, the application was approved on July 21, 2022. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【H1B to F1 Successful Case】Y, who was working in California, contacted Ivy International Consulting within 60 days of losing his H1B job to seek help with changing to F1 status to continue his studies. Ivy International assisted Y in applying for a PhD program in business at a university in California. The H1B to F1 application was submitted to USCIS on June 18, 2021. On January 11, 2022, Y received a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, and after submitting the additional required documents, the application was approved on February 22, 2022. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【F1 to H4 Successful Case】L, a 31-year-old student in Pennsylvania, wished to change from F1 to H4 status after getting married, as her spouse holds an H1B visa. Ivy International Consulting assisted L with the application process and submitted the F1 to H4 application to USCIS in March 2021. Due to the complete and well-prepared documentation, there was no request for additional evidence, and the application was successfully approved on September 22, 2021. (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

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F2 to F1 or F1 to F2

What are F1/F2 visas?

The F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to foreign students studying full-time in the United States. Students can attend universities, community colleges, high schools, private elementary schools, seminaries, music conservatories, language training programs, and other educational institutions recognized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and authorized to enroll international students. F1 visa holders can work on-campus, but off-campus work requires special authorization. Spouses and children of F1 visa holders can apply for F2 visas to live in the U.S. with them. However, F1 visa holders’ spouses are not permitted to work in the U.S., although their children can benefit from free public education.

The advantages of F1/F2 status

The processing time for changing from F2 to F1 or from F1 to F2

The processing time for changing from F2 to F1 or from F1 to F2 visas is approximately 3 months. Alternatively, you can pay an additional Premium Processing Fee of $1965 for expedited processing.

If you need to apply for a change from F2 to F1 or from F1 to F2 visas, or wish to find out if you are eligible for such a change, feel free to consult Ivy International Consulting at (626) 247-4039.

In addition to changing between F2 and F1, other visa types such as B1/B2, H1B, H4, J1, J2, and L1/L2 can also be changed to F1. Various visa types can be changed to one another. For more information, please contact Ivy International Consulting.

Successful cases of changing from F2 to F1 or from F1 to F2

(The following are just a few typical cases of visa status changes for various reasons, provided for reference only. Each student’s situation is different, and the schools applied to and visa change plans may vary. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact Ivy International Consulting for a thorough discussion.)

【Successful Case of Changing from F1 to F2】Student Y, 25 years old, was originally studying for a bachelor’s degree in California, USA, on an F1 visa. As OPT was about to end, Student Y wished to switch to an F2 visa to stay in the U.S. with their spouse who is studying. Ivy International Consulting assisted Student Y in submitting the F1 to F2 application on April 26, 2023. Due to the sufficient preparation of materials and no need for additional documentation, the application was successfully approved on May 24, 2023! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【Successful Case of Changing from F1 to F2】Student Z, 18 years old, was originally studying at a private high school in Texas, USA, on an F1 visa. Later, as Z's mother came to the U.S. on an F1 visa to study, Student Z wished to switch to an F2 visa to accompany her mother and attend a public high school for free. Ivy International Consulting assisted Student Z in submitting the F1 to F2 application on January 27, 2023. Due to the sufficient preparation of materials and no need for additional documentation, the application was successfully approved on March 14, 2023! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

【Successful Case of Changing from F2 to F1】Ms. Wu, 35 years old, with a bachelor's degree, was in the U.S. on an F2 visa accompanying her husband who was studying in Northern California. After her husband graduated, Ms. Wu wished to change to an F1 visa to continue her own studies in the U.S. Since Ms. Wu had a weak English foundation and had not taken tests like TOEFL, we assisted her in applying to a nearby language school. We submitted the F2 to F1 application in September 2018. In March 2019, we received a Request for Evidence from USCIS. After submitting the additional documents, the application was successfully approved on May 18, 2019! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

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B1/B2 Extension

What is a B1/B2 visa extension?

After entering the United States on a B1/B2 business/tourist visa, you may apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension of your business/tourist status under certain circumstances, allowing you to continue activities permitted by your visa category. However, not all situations qualify for a B1/B2 visa extension. According to 8 CFR 214.1(c) of USCIS regulations, the extension application must be submitted before the expiration of the I-94 form.

Eligibility for a B1/B2 visa extension application

According to USCIS regulations, you may apply for a B1/B2 visa extension if you meet the following conditions:

– You entered the U.S. legally with a B1/B2 visa.
– Your current visa status is still valid, meaning you have not exceeded the departure date on your I-94 form.
– Your visa status has not been revoked due to criminal behavior.
– You have not violated the terms of your B1/B2 visa.
– Your passport is valid and has remained valid throughout your stay in the U.S.

Note: If you obtained your B1/B2 visa through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you are not eligible to apply for a visa extension.

When should you submit a B1/B2 visa extension application?

1. According to USCIS recommendations, it is best to submit your B1/B2 visa extension application 45 days before your I-94 expires. The latest you can submit the application is by the I-94 departure date. The legal stay of a B1/B2 visa in the U.S. is determined by the I-94.

2. If your I-94 is about to expire:
You need to submit Form I-539 as soon as possible to ensure that USCIS receives your application before the I-94 expiration date.

3. If your I-94 has already expired:
If you have exceeded the allowed stay period for a B1/B2 visa, extension requests are generally not approved. However, an extension may be considered if you meet the following conditions:
– You can demonstrate that the late submission was due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.
– The overstay is within a reasonable period.
– You have not violated your visa status in other ways, such as engaging in unauthorized employment.
– You remain a citizen of another country and are not attempting to become a U.S. citizen.
– You are not currently facing deportation.

Processing time for a B1/B2 visa extension

The processing time for a B1/B2 visa extension is approximately 3 months, depending on the processing speed of different service centers and whether additional evidence is required.

If you need to apply for a B1/B2 business/tourist visa extension or wish to find out if you are eligible for a B1/B2 extension, feel free to consult Ivy International Consulting at (626) 247-4039.

In addition to B1/B2 extensions, we also offer assistance with visa and status changes between B1, B2, J1, J2, H1B, H4, F2, L1, L2, and F1 student visas. For more details, please contact Ivy International Consulting!

Successful cases of B1/B2 visa extensions

Student S, 31, from California, successfully had their B2 visa extension approved with the assistance of Ivy International Consulting. The extension application was submitted on June 12, 2017, and approved on October 12, 2017! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

Mr. G, 50, from California, successfully had his B2 visa extension approved with the assistance of Ivy International Consulting. The extension application was submitted in July 2019 and approved in November 2019! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

Student F, 41, from California, successfully had their B2 visa extension approved with the assistance of Ivy International Consulting. The extension application was submitted on March 23, 2017, and approved on August 31, 2017! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

Ms. ZH, 39, from Texas, successfully had her B2 visa extension approved with the assistance of Ivy International Consulting. The extension application was submitted in February 2019 and approved in May 2019! (Click to view the USCIS approval notice)

Click to see more recent successful cases of status changes/extensions…

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B1/B2 to F1/F2

Change of status from B1/B2 to F1/F2

Confirm whether it is really necessary to change your status within the U.S.

When is the most appropriate time to submit the application?

Fees for changing status

How long after applying can you obtain F1 status?

Important considerations after receiving the USCIS approval letter

Successful cases of changing from B1/B2 to F1/F2

J1/J2 to F1/F2

J1/J2 to F1/F2

J1/J2 to F1/F2 Successful Cases

L1/L2 to F1/F2

What is an L1/L2 visa?

What are F1 and F2 visas?

Advantages of F1/F2 Status

Processing Time for Changing L1/L2 Visas to F1/F2

L1/L2 to F1/F2 Successful Cases

H1B/H4 to F1/F2

What are H1B and H4 visas?

What are F1/F2 visas?

Advantages of F1/F2 Status

Processing Time for H1B/H4 to F1/F2 Status

Successful Cases of H1B/H4 to F1/F2 Status Changes

F2 to F1 or F1 to F2

What are F1/F2 visas?

The advantages of F1/F2 status

The processing time for changing from F2 to F1 or from F1 to F2

Successful cases of changing from F2 to F1 or from F1 to F2

B1/B2 Extension

What is a B1/B2 visa extension?

Eligibility for a B1/B2 visa extension application

When should you submit a B1/B2 visa extension application?

Processing time for a B1/B2 visa extension

Successful cases of B1/B2 visa extensions

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