”Change of Visa Type” refers to switching to another type of visa within the U.S. If a student plans to apply for a visa outside the U.S., he or she should follow the procedure specified by the respective U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his or her home country. The following is the most common situation in regard to the change of visa type: [F-2 to F-1]
Follow the steps to obtain “Initial-Change of Status” Form I-20 (see below), and then apply for change of visa type at the USCIS Service Center. F-2 person must not enroll until he or she receives a change of visa type approval notice from the USCIS. [F-1 to F-2]
Follow the steps to obtain F-2 Form I-20 (see the section of Dependents), and then apply for change of visa type at the USCIS Service Center. Do not follow the requirements/steps below. [H1-B or H-4 to F-1]
Follow the steps to obtain “Initial-Change of Status” Form I-20 (see below), and then apply for change of visa type at the USCIS Service Center. [F-1 to H1-B or H-4]
Consult with your prospective employer. If the University of Arizona is your employer, contact the Office of International Faculty and Scholars at 520-626-6289 for assistance. Do not follow the requirements/steps below. [F-1 to Permanent Residency]
Consult with your immigration attorney. List of Tucson-based immigration attorneys (not affiliated with the University of Arizona) is available at ISPS or by searching the American Bar Association website at www.abanet.org. Do not follow the requirements/steps below. [All Other Changes]
Consult with your immigration attorney. List of Tucson-based immigration attorneys (not affiliated with the University of Arizona) is available at ISPS or by searching the American Bar Association website at www.abanet.org. Do not follow the requirements/steps below.
Important:
A person must maintain his or her current visa status until he or she receives an approval notice from the USCIS regarding his or her change of visa type application.
Required Documents (all must be valid and original copy) at ISPS: - Document Request Form
- Funding letter for the amount indicated on Document Request Form. Funding letter must not be more than 6 months old
- Letter from department with projected degree completion date or official admissions letter
- Home country address (space provided on the Document Request Form)
What You Need To Do:- Step 1: Call 520-621-4627 and make an appointment to speak with an ISPS advisor
- Step 2: Discuss available options with the ISPS advisor and obtain a change of visa type check-list (available at ISPS)
- Step 3: Submit all required documents to the ISPS front desk
- Step 4: Wait for email from ISPS (if you don’t hear from ISPS after 10 business days of submission, call at 621-4627 to check your application status)
- Step 7: Pick up your new Form I-20 at the ISPS front desk
- Step 9: Mail all required documents (on the change of visa type check-list) to the USCIS Service Center (see address below, if living in Arizona)
- Step 10: You will receive a receipt notice from USCIS within a few weeks
- Step 11: Once you receive your change of visa type approval notice, bring it to ISPS for photocopy
USCIS California Service Center Address USCIS/ Western Service Center
PO Box 10765, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1076 Express Mail may be sent to:
California Service Center, 24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor, Room 2312, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Note 1: Normal processing time at ISPS is 10 business days after receipt of complete documents |
| 
