B2 to F1 status change

[mist82]

Hello everyone

I came to US 3 months ago and have another 3 months on my I-94.
At first it was just a pleasure and travel trip, but now i changed my mind and would like to stay and pursue a Bachelors degree. I already have a 3-year college degree from my home country.

My main concern is, is it possible to change status from B2 that i have now, to F1, and what is the success rate of approval.
When i came i haven't asked for a B2 visa with a possibility of studying in the US, that wasn`t on my mind then, and if i did, in my country, i wouldn`t get a B2 visa if I asked for that anyway.
I have strong ties to my home country. My family is there i have a family company, land and condo on my name, morgue on mu condo for 8 more years, i have papers to back up my financial status so i can pay for my first year...etc.

I know that many ppl will, and already have, told me that it is not possible to change status, but there are many who did this, and a couple immigration lawyers did tell me that it is possible to do.

Besides that, if it is possible, and i can do it, what would be my chances of being able to work as a student so i can support myself during that time. And how can i obtain social security number if i get F1 status. I read somewhere that i cant get SSN for the first 9 months...is it true and is it possible to get it earlier?

Please, i need urgent help on the above matter and would be grateful for any.

Thank you!

[smohanty]

To the best of my knowledge - if there is a possibility that you will change your visa status from B2 to F1 then the rule is that you need to declare at your US port of entry that you intend to study in the US and change your status to F1 later. And the officer is required to make note of this.

Since you have not done that your ONLY option is go back home with an I-20 from the school you plan to enroll and reapply for an F1 visa.

If you have an I-20 but do not have a valid stamped F1 visa then universities will not allow you to register for courses.