F1 - entering the US more than 30 days in advance

[Sass 0]

Hi,

this is what I found on the travel.state.gov site:

"A beginning student who wants an earlier entry into the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa. A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa and the traveler will need to make the intent to study clear to the U.S. immigration inspector at port of entry. Before beginning any studies, he or she must obtain approval for a change to Exchange Visitor status, filing Form I-539, Application for Change of Nonimmigrant Status and pay the fee. Also you must submit the required Form I-20 to the Department of Homeland Security office where the application is made. Please be aware that one cannot begin studies until the change of classification is approved."

Now, what does that mean, especially in terms of timeline?

I am from a VWP country - would I still need to get a visitor visa AND the F1? Does anyone from a European country have experience on the processing time of this Form I-539?

[Asia 2,498]

You have two choices:

1. do what is written on the travel.state.gov site

2. use VWP to visit earlier (than the 30 days allowed on F1 visa) and leave the US just to enter again using your student visa. You're probably asking why... Because VWP lets you in the US without any visa, so you can't change your status.

[Sass 0]

You have two choices:

1. do what is written on the travel.state.gov site

2. use VWP to visit earlier (than the 30 days allowed on F1 visa) and leave the US just to enter again using your student visa. You're probably asking why... Because VWP lets you in the US without any visa, so you can't change your status.

Thank you for your reply - I was actually worried about processing time of that I-539 and how long the timeline is (more specific, is it possible to get it through within 2 months?)

and regarding your option 2. - as far as I know travel to Canada or Mexico does not qualify as exit on the VWP. So I would have go to the Bahamas or any other Caribbean island (?). And also - can I do that, enter on VWP when the F1 is already IN my passport? (I am afraid, no)...

[Asia 2,498]

Leaving to Canada & Mexico doesn't qualify as an exit, but only if you want to re-enter via VWP again.

But the thing is you want to be a student and not a tourist.

And yes, you can have different visas in your passport at the same time. Tho VWP isn't a visa per se, but I hope you know what I mean.

Hopefully this will be also answered by some more experienced users.

[Sass 0]

Thank you, Asia