F1 Visa to Immigration Visa conversion

[madiyaan 0]

I am currently an F-1 student who is working on OPT (I do have an EAD card, valid till next year) in the United States. One of my family members who is a US citizen sponsored my immigration visa a while back and now that application has been approved. I got to know that because a letter arrived at my house in my home country. I am unmarried and don't have a spouse.

What I want to know is how to get my status changed from F-1 to Immigration Visa. Can I do this while being in the US? Or do I have to go to my home country? Can this be done at a consulate in a 3rd country?

Regards,

[YuAndDan 153]

You will need to return to home country for interview for the visa.

Only option I way see for dong in the USA would be to file an I-485 along with copy of I-130 approval notice and evidence that NVC has assigned an immigrant visa number to your case and has sent out I-864 Fee Bill.

[motu 6]

My nephew who was on a student visa - didn't have to go back to the home country (India), there were some other papers filed and he had his interview in Miami (he was going to school in Florida). I would suggest that you check with an immigration attorney on what the process is and yes your other option is to go home and appear for the interview - my nephew didn't want to spend the extra money and miss school (couple of weeks) to do this. One other thing - yes, his interview in Miami was a couple months later on (his parents and brother interviewed in India and got their immigration visas and traveled approx. 4 months later). Good Luck