• You must be able to maintain your current, legal nonimmigrant status until the change of status application is approved. Generally, the current nonimmigrant status of a change of status applicant must be valid at the time the change of status application is received by USCIS and must remain valid up until the date that the new status is requested to begin.

• If your I-94 has expired, ISSS cannot assist you with a change of status. You should seek the services of an immigration attorney.

• You must be in a nonimmigrant status that allows for a change of status.

• If you travel abroad while your application for change of status is pending, your application will be canceled. The Department of Homeland Security will deny the application if they become aware of the departure.

• If the application for a Change of Status is approved, it only changes your status in the U.S. This means that if you travel outside the U.S. during your program of study and wish to re-enter in F-1 student status, you would still need to apply for the F-1 entry visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You should review the pitfalls of applying for a U.S. visa at an embassy or consulate above as they will apply to you; that is, you could be refused the visa, be subject to a security clearance, etc.

• See the advantages and disadvantages of a change of status in the U.S. versus travel outside the U.S.

1. Be admitted to a full-time program of study at Temple University
2. Receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from ISSS
3. Pay the SEVIS Fee (this will be done after you receive your I-20)
4. You will receive an email from ISSS when the I-20 is ready. When you receive the email, schedule an appointment.

To submit your application to USCIS after you meet with ISSS, you will need to have the following prepared:

1. A cover letter that should:
   • provide details about your current maintenance of status and the intent of your most recent entry into the U.S.;
   • request a change to F-1 status; and
   • summarize all materials that you are submitting.
2. Form I-539, found on the USCIS website - you can file the form online if you are the only applicant. If your spouse of child is in the U.S. as your dependents, you will have to file the paper form.
3. Original Form I-20 provided to you by Temple
4. Receipt confirming payment of the SEVIS fee
5. Copies of financial documents demonstrating that you can cover the cost of attending Temple
6. Your current I-94, or admission number receipt 
7. Photocopies of the identification page from your passport (and any validity amendments) and all documentation of your previous immigration history in the U.S. (e.g. Forms I-797, I-20, DS-2019)
8. If your current or previous status is a dependent status, you must provide documentation of your relationship to the principal (e.g. birth certificate or marriage certificate), and documentation that the principal is maintaining status
9. Documentation that you continue to maintain your current immigration status (e.g. photocopies of pay statements for H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrants)
10. Check made out to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (not “USDHS” or “DHS”)  (visit the USCIS website to confirm the filing fee), **

• Not permitted to study full-time or work on campus until the change of status is approved by USCIS.

• May study part-time in any certified program at an SEVP-certified school.
• An F-2 dependent may engage in a course of study as long as it does not amount to what regulations define as full-time for an F-1.
• Individuals in F-2 status may not accept employment or engage in business under any circumstances. If you are in F-2 status and you are offered an assistantship, your COS must be approved before you can accept it.

1. Receive a Form I-20 from ISSS
2. Pay the SEVIS Fee (this will be done after you receive your I-20)
3. Leave the US, apply for a new  F-1 visa
4. Re-enter the US in your new F-1 status.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-res...