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i am in the us with a B2 visa ,my i-94 is still valid for another 4months.can i go to mexico or canada with my B2 visa to change to an F1 visa.is it possible to change my status from B2 to F1 without going to my home country.thank you
You don't have to be in the US to apply for an F1 visa but of course you do have to have been already accepted into a learning institution before applying.
You'll find a ton of information on the USCIS website which is linked in the first "sticky" on this forum.
yes i have been accepted into a very good school.i have my i-20.i cant start school without changing to F1.so i was just wandering if i could go to mexico or canada and do the change of status because they say i have to leave the US and re-enter with a student visa.
This is why I suggested you go to the USCIS website as the information you need is there. Since you are already in the US under a B2 you do NOT have to leave the country to apply for an F1 as long as your B2 is current.
The link you suggested was helpful but it takes up to 3months to get it changed within the US (can i do it myself or get a lawyer)and i will miss the deadline and have to defer my admission till next but i do not want to do that because my i-94 will be invalid then. that's why i wanted to know if i could go out of the united states to Mexico or Canada(not my home country) and get it done instantly and return to the states to start school.do u know if i can go to mexico or canada with a B2 visa and get it done from there.thank you
You can apply for a status change yourself and don't need a lawyer - again, the USCIS website has all the necessary forms you can download. If you think you can more easily get an F1 from a US consular office in either Canada or Mexico - and you have the necessary visas to go to either - then go that route. But check first with whichever consular office you decide upon and see what their processing time is.
Maybe someone else who subscribes to this forum can give you some first hand insight into which is the better choice. Good luck!
It is possible to apply in Canada, but they are pretty backlogged right now, and a change of status in the U.S. might be faster. See https://usvisa-info.com/en-ca/selfse...ncements#jun13
Plus, the posts in Canada are pretty tough on third country nationals applying for the kinds of visas, like an F-1, for which you have to show an intent to return to your home country.
Oh, and if you're from one of the six countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, you can't apply at all in either country.
First of all, do not confuse status change with getting different visa type, these are different things. Non-immigrant status allows you to stay in the US for a certain period of time, while visa is only needed at the moment you cross the border. Once you are admitted, visa doesn't matter, your proof of legal status is your I-94.
You can change status from B1 to F1 without leaving the US, you will need to submit appropriate forms to USCIS. However, there is a caveat - USCIS does not really like this kind of status change, especially if you apply soon after you entered on B1 visa. The only exception is if you have told the border control officer at the port of entry that you are prospective student, in this case they would mark your I-94 accordingly and you shouldn't have any problems with USCIS with your status change.
You can also apply for a new visa abroad and yes, this can be done in Mexico, Canada or any other country. Keep in mind though, if the consulate denies your F1 application, you may have to go back to your home country and will not be able to re-enter US.
Another thing to keep in mind if you decide to change the status without leaving US: the process may take longer than the validity period of your B1 status, so you may need to file an application to extend your B1 along with the status change.
This doesn't seem to be supported by the link an earlier poster provided.
Sorry, my bad. I didn't realize that consulate in Mexico has special provision.
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