CSUSB Alert: Power has been restored to the San Bernardino campus; normal operations will resume Friday, July 26th.

Power to the San Bernardino campus has been restored as of 9:55 a.m. Normal campus operations will resume Friday, July 26th. Essential staff with questions on whether to report should contact their appropriate administrator. Facilities Management will be working to check all building systems including HVAC, elevators and fire alarms. If power has not been restored in your work area when you return, please report that to Facilities Planning and Management at (909) 537-5175. The Palm Desert Campus remains open and operational.

Site Header Region
Page Header
Main Content Region

Change of Status

Some students may be able to apply from their current visa status to a F-1 student status while in the U.S.

There are two ways student can obtain a new nonimmigrant status

  1. Students can leave the U.S., apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate, and reenter the U.S. or
  2. Students can remain in the U.S. and apply for a change your status through the U. S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Leaving the U.S. to obtain F-1 visa status

  • Advantage – Obtain the F-1 visa status is faster.   
  • Disadvantage  - There is the  possibility of visa processing delay at the embassy / consulant office as well as the expense of travel.

Advantages and Disadvantages of applying through USCIS:

  • Advantage - Depending on your current visa status you may be able to continuing taking some courses.
  • Disadvantage
    • Some visa status does not allow you take any course in your degree program while the application is pending with USCIS.
    • There is no way expedite the application at USCIS.
    • You are not permitted study as an F-1 student until the F-1 application to USCIS is approved.
    • F-1 benefits are not applicable until application is approved. Such benefits include time counted for curricular practical training (CPT)/internship, and Optional Practical training (OPT).
    • Must remain in the U.S. while application is pending.
    • Once application is approved, once you leave the U.S. you will need to obtain the F-1 visa stamp before re-entering.

Eligibility

  1. Must be eligible for a change of status.
  2. Must be admitted to CSUSB.
  3. Cannot have violated current status, nor can your current status be expired.

Restrictions

  1. Individuals in J status who are subject to the two-year home-country residence requirement cannot do a change of status within the U.S.
  2. Persons admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (marked 'W/T' or 'W/B' on the I-94) cannot change nonimmigrant status.
  3. A vocational student in M status cannot change to F status.

Procedures

  1. Make an appointment with The Immigration Specialist to evaluate your case.
  2. Submit a change of status case request to CISPs at https://www.csusb.edu/cisp/online-services
  3. Remain in the U.S. and maintain the requirements of your current status.

More details on changes status to an F-1 visa can be found at the Study in the States website at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/complete/change-of-status.