paolomcmillan

Hi all,

So my plans to move over to the USA to be with my girlfriend finally look like they may be moving somewhere (....albeit a temporary fix for a potential marriage later in time). It's looking likely that I'll carry out a PhD discourse at a University in the USA beginning in August 2015 sine my MSc is finished in the fall of this year (.....yeah its a while away just now but these things do creep up on you so can never be too prepared).

However, I've been offered a promotion for the summer of 2015 at the summer camp I've worked at for the past two summers on a J1 visa (..... I can't make it over this summer because of the MSc). I would really like to go back to camp before starting my PhD although I was just wondering what the process is like for a J1 to F1 change whilst in the USA - I believe that is possible but all my searches on BE are providing F1 to PR AOS. Is it even worth the hassle and costs? I'd hate for it to be >$1000 to change to an F1 status. There wouldn't be enough time to return home after camp and be back two weeks later to start so any comments are welcome.

Regards,
Paul

civilservant

Don't bother - the costs are prohibitive.

henryh

http://www.uscis.gov/i-539

You can file online, and the $290 fee doesn't seem so bad.

I've never done it. Perhaps civilservant can elaborate as to the downsides?

paolomcmillan

henryh thanks for the link. That puts my mind at a great deal of ease. I was beginning to panic somewhat after civilservant mentioned not to bother.

Obviously applications for university are due well in advance of the summer exchange programmes beginning and I would have all the SEVIS paperwork for an F visa application before I even left the UK on my J visa. Would I face any problems entering the USA with intent to adjust to an F-visa? Should I disclose this information to the officer?

Orangepants

You'd apply for the F1 in London before you left for the summer with the camp, so have both visas in the passport and then change status to your F1 with a COS application?

paolomcmillan

Hi Orangepants,

I'm not sure if that is a question to me? If so I don't know how to answer it.

So you are suggesting that I:

• Apply for both J1 and F1 visa prior to departing for the USA
• Attend two separate interviews*
• Enter the USA on the J1 status
• File I-539 at some point during the summer and change to the F1 visa in my passport

*Wouldn't this pose problems at the consulate in that I'm supposed to be able to provide proof of intentions to return home for a J1 application interview and then I show up for an F1 application interview a few weeks later? Or would I undergo one interview process?

I wasn't aware that it was possible to have two USA visas in a passport at any one time?

henryh

BTW, a terminology nitpick: one can "adjust" status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident, but one "changes" status from one nonimmigrant category to another nonimmigrant category. If you end up discussing your plans with a CBP officer, use the correct word to avoid setting off alarm bells.

Also, study and note the difference between a visa and an immigration status. For instance: a visa is a travel document used only to enter the US and doesn't have much to do with your status while in the US. You don't necessarily need an F-1 visa in order to change status from J-1 to F-1, but you do need other prerequisites for the F-1 status (e.g. SEVIS registration and an I-20)

paolomcmillan

Hi henryh,

Thanks for pointing that out to me. I'll bear it in mind.

So say I enter the USA on a J-1 visa (my initial travel document) for summer camp and I change my non-immigration status to F-1 during the summer (e.g. SEVIS registration and an I-20 prerequisites adhered to) am I required to have both a J-1 visa and an F-1 visa in my passport before I enter the USA or will I send my passport off whilst I am in the USA to have this placed inside. Albeit I am requesting a change in status from J-1 to F-1 but wouldn't I require an F visa to reenter the USA if say I go home to the UK for Christmas?

Paul

Orangepants

Yes I was just posing the question to you. I don't know either but looks like henryh does! Yes to get back in you'd need the stamped visa.

NB yes you can have 2 visas in your passport - I have.

Noorah101

No.

No.

Yes.

Rene

paolomcmillan

Hi Rene,

Do you know how I would go about getting an F visa in my passport then once I had successfully changed status from J-1 to F-1 (.....if of course my application is successful when the time comes)?

Paul

Noorah101

Yes, when you leave the USA, make an appointment at the US Embassy in the country abroad. They will issue an F-1 visa for your return to the USA.

Rene

paolomcmillan

Thanks Rene,

I presume that I would just go about making a normal visa application? Or would it be a different application process because I would already have the F status? I feel the former is probably correct.

Paul

Noorah101

I believe it's the normal visa application process.

Rene

paolomcmillan

Thanks Rene, that's great.

So, basically I'd file I-539 with $290 to change to F status from J-1 during the summer. I'd then book an appointment when I came home for Christmas with the London consulate and pay the visa processing feee ($140)? I wouldn't have the I-20 any longer as I would have forwarded it with I-539 and I'd already be SEVIS registered so I wouldn't pay the $200? Would I be correct/wrong in my reasoning?

Paul