H4 visa to F1 visa

[DeepikaSaxena]

Hello All,

I am currently on H4 visa and staying in the USA. I have applied for MS and for the same i have been admitted in the university. Now, I am having my I20 with me. I want to know :
1. what is the procedure if I change H4 to F1 while staying in the US ?
2. what is the procedure if I travel to my country (India) for a change of H4 to F1. ?

please help me in clearing my doubts.
Your help is highly appreciated

[pm87]

Hello All,

I am currently on H4 visa and staying in the USA. I have applied for MS and for the same i have been admitted in the university. Now, I am having my I20 with me. I want to know :
1. what is the procedure if I change H4 to F1 while staying in the US ?
2. what is the procedure if I travel to my country (India) for a change of H4 to F1. ?

please help me in clearing my doubts.
Your help is highly appreciated

Hello

1. To apply for F1 from H4, you have to file a Change of Status application with a I-539 form. You would also need a special "change of status" I-20 from your university. This process is taking ~10 months right now and there is no time tracking
2. You would need a normal I-20 for this which is issued to all international students. You would file DS160, take interview date, give interview etc; exactly how anyone in India would apply for F1. You will then re-enter on a F1 status.

Thanks