Change of Status - International Students - Central Virginia Community College

Change of Status F-2 to F-1

Students currently in F-2 status who wish to change to F-1 status should be aware of the following:

CVCC does not operate dormitories, nor does it assume responsibility for locating and securing adequate housing for international students.
Students must provide their own transportation to and from school and local bus service for CVCC students while available is limited.
International students (F-1) cannot establish Virginia residency and will be considered out-o-state students for tuition purposes.
Financial Aid is not available to international students.
Tuition payment plans are not available to international students; you will be expected to pay your tuition in full.
F-1 students may not work on campus or off campus while attending school at CVCC.
College policies and procedures apply equally to all students regardless of immigration status.

To change your status from F-2 to F-1 the following procedures must be followed:

Application Process
1. The application form is I-539. The student should complete the application and bring the following documents to the International Student Advisor:
  1. A current Affidavit of Financial Support (I-134)
    1. F-1 must show enough support to cover all dependents
    2. Must show a minimum of $15,000 USD for one calendar year. Bank statements must be in English and show USD.
2. Passport
3. I-94
4. Current and all previous I-20s
5. A check or money order for $300 USD made payable to the US Department of Homeland Security.
6. Transcripts from home country
7. A letter explaining why the student wants to change their status
8. Evidence of permanent residency back in their home country.
  1. Examples: property holdings, family presence; bank accounts
The International Student Advisor will then review the I-539 to make sure it is properly filled out.
1. Do not use your personal address. Please use the college’s address to ensure that all follow-up is done properly. All documents will be mailed from the International Student Advisor.
The international Student Advisor will log into SEVIS if all documents are acceptable and create a new I-20 – Initial Status – Change of Status form.
1. The change of status request along with all original documentation and gathered and copies will be made for your CVCC student file.
Pending change of Status
1. Non-immigrants changing from F-2 status may not begin a program of study prior to approval of their program start date.
2. If a student is not approved by the program start date their SEVIS record will be deferred.
3. Processing of change of status will take up to four months.
4. Once you have received your receipt for the Change of Status application, bring the receipt to the International Student Advisor. The ISA will make a copy for you and keep the original in your DHS file.
Change of Status Approval
1. Once the COS is approved, the student will receive the original I-20 with the approval stamp and a new I-94.
2. Student must come to the ISA to pick up new I-20.
3. Student must sign International Student Guideline form and receive a copy for his/her records.