• Individuals in B-1/B-2 visitor status are not allowed to enroll in a course of study; to do so is considered a violation of immigration status. Any individual in B-1/B-2 status wishing to engage in full-time study must change to F-1 status in order to do so. Persons in WT/WB "visa waiver" status are prohibited from study and cannot change status without departing the U.S. (see "Travel Option, below).
  
• Individuals in F-2 dependent status are not allowed to study on a full-time basis, but must change to or enter the country in F-1 status. Please consult an OISS advisor if you are in F-2 status and wish to pursue full-time studies at NYU.

Introduction
If you are presently in the United States in a nonimmigrant status (such as H-4, A-1, or L-2 status), you may want or need to change to F-1 or J-1 student status in order to pursue your degree at NYU. There are two ways to obtain F-1 or J-1 student status: (1) by submitting an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or (2) by traveling outside of the U.S., obtaining an F-1 or J-1 visa, and re-entering using the new visa.

Each way has its own advantages and disadvantages; depending on your situation, the OISS may recommend one way over the other as the better option. Please speak to an OISS advisor regarding your individual situation.

Travel Option versus Non-Travel Option
In order to obtain either F-1 or J-1 status, you must have been admitted to a full-time course of study at NYU and have sufficient financial resources to meet your program's tuition, fees, and living expenses. You must have also have received a Form I-20 (for F-1 students) from the OISS, or a Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students) from the OISS or another sponsoring J-1 Exchange Visitor Program documenting your eligibility to pursue a full-time course of study at NYU.

(A) Travel Option: Once you have received a Form I-20 or a Form DS-2019, you can travel outside of the United States (preferably to your home country), apply for an F-1 or J-1 entry visa at a U.S. consulate overseas, and re-enter the U.S. using your new visa. To apply for a new visa, you will need to carry:

• an I-20 for F-1 students or as a DS-2019 for J-1 students
• an unexpired passport valid for at least 6 months
• a copy of your admission letter from NYU
• financial documentation demonstrating that you have sufficient financial resources to meet the tuition, living expenses, and fees for your program
• Receipt of I-901 SEVIS fee payment

All of the above documents should be presented when applying for a visa and again upon entering the United States. When you enter the U.S., you must request F-1 or J-1 status from a U.S. immigration inspector. Upon clearing immigration inspection, you will be in F-1 or J-1 status.

(B) Non-Travel Option: - Once you have received an I-20 or DS-2019, you can submit an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to request a change in your immigration status to F-1 or J-1 status. The application should include:

• a check or money order made payable to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (or USCIS) in the amount of $300
• a completed USCIS Form I-539 (available at the OISS)
• an I-20 for F-1 students or DS-2019 for J-1 students
• photocopies of your passport identification page, I-94 card, and visa
• a photocopy of your admission letter from NYU
• photocopies of your financial documents showing that you have sufficient financial resources to meet the tuition, living expense, and fees for your program
• evidence that you have maintained lawful status while in the United States prior to submitting your application for change of status, and that you submitted your application in a timely manner (prior to the expiration of your current status)
• Receipt of I-901 SEVIS fee payment

Prepare all of the above materials and mail it to the USCIS as indicated on the I-539 application form. USCIS will adjudicate your application typically within 1-3 months after receiving it. It is not unusual for USCIS to contact applicants with requests for more information prior to making a final decision. Once USCIS completes adjudication of your application you will receive written confirmation of their decision.

Please note that the non-travel option leads only to a change in your immigration status. You will not obtain a new entry visa by this method. If you receive a change of status, you must still obtain a new visa the next time you travel outside of the United States, if you wish to re-enter as an F-1 or J-1 student.

Important Restrictions
If any of the below apply to you, you can only change your status by using the Travel option; you cannot use the non-travel option.

• You are currently in the U.S. under the "visa waiver" program, or as a B-1/B-2 tourist
• You are currently in the U.S. as a J-1 exchange visitor or a J-2 dependent and are subject to the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (Section 212e of the Immigration and Nationality Act)
• You are currently in the U.S., but are in violation of your current immigration status (e.g., because your I-94 card expired or you have remained beyond your authorized period of stay in the U.S.)

Contact the OISS
You should contact the OISS in the following circumstances

• Prior to making a final decision whether to use the travel or non-travel option
• If you need to leave the U.S. after you submit your application to USCIS for a change of status
• If USCIS contacts you with a request for more information concerning your application for a change of status
• If USCIS does not respond to your application within 3 months
• If your I-94 or other immigration documents have expired
• If you are in H-1B status but are no longer working for your H-1B sponsor
• If you believe you are out of status for any other reason.