Change of Non-Immigrant Status to F-1 (USCIS Mailing List)

Change of Non-Immigrant Status to F-1

USCIS Mailing List

1. $470 filing fee: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only accept electronic payments for paper-filed forms. Payments may be made either via credit card or debit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, or ACH debit transactions from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.
2. Completed Form G-1145.
3. Completed Form I-539 for primary applicant.
4. Completed Form I-539A for each co-applicant, if any.
5. Copy all pages of your Form I-20 from HCC, signing the "STUDENT ATTESTATION" on each page. HCC will issue the I-20 for eligible applicants and their dependents included in the application. Do not mail your application without these copies.
6. SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt. This fee must be paid online at FMJfee.com. The school code for HCC is HOU214F00354000.
7. Copy of your I-94 by printing it from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's I-94 website. Click on "Get Most Recent I-94/I-95," or provide the I-94 number if you change your status after arriving in the U.S. using a copy of the I-797 Approval Notice. Provide this information for each co-applicant, if any.
8. Copies of financial documents.
9. Copy of passport photo page, including expiration date of at least six months in the future. Provide this for each co-applicant, if any.
10. Copy of Visa or Form I-797 Approval Notice if you change your status after arriving in the U.S. Provide this for each co-applicant, if any.
11. A letter explaining why you are requesting the change of status.
12. Additional supporting documents, when applicable.

Mail Your Application

Mail your application to USCIS and keep a photocopy. Send it via certified mail with a return receipt or a courier.

The USCIS mailing address varies by your U.S. location. Find the appropriate USCIS address on the USCIS Form I-539 filing addresses page under "All Other Form I-539 Filers," or use the table below.

USCIS Filing Locations

Next Steps

After you mail the application, follow the Change of Status to F-1 International Student next steps.