How To Obtain F-1/J-1 Status

Steps To Complete Before Acquiring F-1/J-1 Status

1. Receive a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 from Drexel (instructions are available on our website). Application documents can be submitted via the DrexelOne portal.
2. Pay the SEVIS fee. The I-901 SEVIS fee is required for all initial F-1 and J-1 students, including visa-exempt students from Canada and Bermuda. To pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, visit FMJfee.com.

Options for Acquiring F-1/J-1 Status

There are two options for obtaining F-1/J-1 status:

• Applying for a visa from outside the U.S. by obtaining an F-1/J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate and using the visa to enter the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status. This is the only option for individuals who are currently located outside the U.S.

OR

• Filing for a Change of Status (I-539) with USCIS while in the U.S. in another visa status. This option is only available to individuals who already possess a valid visa status in the U.S. Due to the complexity of change of status cases, we highly recommend working with a qualified immigration attorney if you will pursue this route, as ISSS cannot give legal advice on this process.

To learn more about the two options, please read the information below. Please note that the following information is only general guidance. It is not, nor should it replace legal advice.

Visa Application at US Embassy (Outside the U.S.)

Advantages:

• This process has historically been faster than changing status inside the U.S., depending on the wait times for visa appointments at your local consulate.
• By scheduling a visa appointment at a consulate or embassy, you will obtain a visa stamp in your passport that can be used for entry/re-entry to the U.S.

Disadvantages:

• Availability of visa appointments varies between consulates or embassies. The wait time for an appointment may cause delays in your plans to obtain a visa and study in the U.S.
• Some visa applicants may experience delays if additional background checks are needed, especially if they are studying sensitive subjects. Administrative processing may take time to resolve before a decision is reached to approve or deny a visa.
• If you receive a visa denial, it can be difficult to overcome the initial denial reason unless you are able to provide substantial evidence to overcome the initial denial reason. You may be able to reschedule a new appointment to try again, but approval is not guaranteed.

Change of Status (in the U.S.)

If you are already in the U.S. in another immigration status, you may be eligible to apply for a change of status while in the U.S.

Change of status is not recommended in most cases due to the risk of lengthy processing times and/or difficulties of maintaining status while obtaining these applications. If you are considering filing a Change of Status (COS) application from your current status to F-1 or J-1 status in order to earn your degree at Drexel University, we strongly advise discussing your situation with an experienced immigration attorney.

Read important considerations below before applying for a Change of Status (COS):

• Change of Status (COS) applications are considered an individual’s legal application and ISSS is not authorized to provide advice on these applications. You may need to incur legal fees working with an immigration attorney if you choose this route.
• The processing time can be very lengthy in some cases. Delays in change of status processing could potentially affect your ability to start your studies or to benefit from F-1/J-1 benefits (ie. CPT, OPT, AT, on-campus employment, etc.)
• You must maintain your underling status for the duration of your Change of Status (COS) application.
• While your COS application is pending, you cannot travel outside of the U.S. as the departure will cause an abandonment of your COS application.
• You will not automatically be issued a visa stamp in your passport. If you travel outside the U.S. after your COS has been approved, you must still obtain a visa stamp to be permitted to enter in F-1/J-1 status when you return.
• Approval of COS applications is not guaranteed and is dependent on USCIS discretion. Denial of these applications can result in complications to your legal status in the U.S. and, in some cases, may require you to depart the U.S. with little notice.
• Certain individuals who are unable to depart the U.S. may want to consider applying for COS to allow them to remain in the U.S. while applying for F-1/J-1 status. If you and/or your immigration attorney decide that filing a Change of Status is the best option for you, please apply for the Change of Status I-20 with Drexel ISSS.

Understand the Process of Filing a Change of Status (COS):

Step 1: Meet with an experienced immigration attorney if you are unable to maintain your current nonimmigrant status until your COS application is received by USCIS. You will also want to find legal help if you have previously filed a permanent resident application or if you have had a previous arrest or other interaction with U.S. law enforcement.

Step 2:

• For incoming students – Fill out the Drexel ISSS’ I-20/DS-2019 application form, especially the “Visa Information” and “Change of Status” sections.
• For current students – Fill out the Change of Status (COS) form.

Step 3: Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Step 4: Submit Your Change of Status I-539 application to USCIS.

Step 5: Notify Drexel ISSS with any update or change to your COS application.

• Once you receive the I-797 receipt notice from USCIS, please share it with ISSS.
• If your COS is not approved on or before the term start date, please let ISSS know at the beginning of each term. ISSS advisors will adjust the dates on your I-20.

Information for Students Who Are Already in the U.S. in a Non-F-1/J-1 Visa Status

Drexel University does not consider national origin or current immigration status as a factor in admission. All students, regardless of their citizenship and immigration status, are welcome to apply for admission. However, we strongly advise you to be aware of possible limitations of your current status and, if eligible, change your immigration status to an F-1 or J-1 student visa if your current status does not permit you to study full-time, work on campus, or apply for off-campus work authorization. There are resources to help you determine if your current immigration status allows you to study in the U.S. For example, this infographic [PDF] can help you determine if your current immigration status allows you to study in the U.S. In addition:

• An F-2 visa holder can only study part-time and is not eligible to work on campus or apply for an off-campus work authorization.
• An H-4 visa holder can study full-time but is not, in most cases, eligible to work or apply for work authorization.
• J-2 visa holders are allowed to study full-time and apply for work authorization from USCIS, but there may be other restrictions that you should be aware of.

Plan early, do your research, and seek advice from a trusted immigration attorney to ensure that your immigration status does not prevent you from fully benefiting from your student experience at Drexel. If, after consulting with an attorney, you decide to change your immigration status to an F-1 or J-1 visa, please review the information on the ISSS New International Student webpage regarding how to apply for an I-20/DS-2019 form.

Co-op considerations for non F-1/J-1 visa-holders

To participate in co-op, you must have a valid U.S. work authorization. We strongly advise you to consult with your current visa sponsor or a trusted immigration attorney about the benefits and restrictions of your current immigration status. If your current status restricts you from working on or off campus, you may want to — if eligible — consider obtaining F-1 or J-1 status by either applying for Change of Status (COS) within the U.S. or by traveling internationally and re-entering the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student. You can review the information on the ISSS New International Student webpage regarding this process.

NOTE: This decision should be made only in consultation with an immigration attorney.