Can i change my j1 visa to f1 to participate at university or language school

[Zack995 0]

Hello iam j1 work and travel program I exchange student and my visa will expire at 15 sep can i change my status form j1 to f1 ?

[Coco8 1,042]

The process takes a long time. It will not be ready on time because you have less than a month to do so. 

 

I recommend that you try to find out if you can use your same J1 (maybe not if it is a work & travel). Otherwise, it is better if you go back to your country and do an F1. Again, it won't be ready on time. Usually you need much longer to do this.

[Zack995 0]

Ok but my i20 willl be with my tomorrow and if i can use lawyer to send my documents to immigration before 15 sep it will work?

 

[Coco8 1,042]

7 minutes ago, Zack995 said:

Ok but my i20 willl be with my tomorrow and if i can use lawyer to send my documents to immigration before 15 sep it will work?

 

That does not matter. USCIS takes a long time to process it. Like months! You are saying you want to start in less than a month. That is not possible. It is not a matter of having a lawyer.

 

I have to add that this is exactly where people get into trouble. The time for changing status will be longer than the time you are allowed under J1. That would be a violation of the visa and you will have problems getting in the US again.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Coco8

[Zack995 0]

Ok through this months can i wait here in usa in legal way untel i receve the answer?

[Coco8 1,042]

3 minutes ago, Zack995 said:

Ok through this months can i wait here in usa in legal way untel i receve the answer?

No, you cannot wait in the US. It would be a violation of your J1. Your J1 has a 30 day grace after it expires.  That is not enough time to get the F1 and if you start longer, you will never get another visa again. You might not be able to visit the US if you stay too long and get a 3 or 10 year ban.

 

Plus, you said you wanted to start September 15!  

 

You need to leave if you ever want to come back to the US. You can do the F1 in your country and do the language school later.

 

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by Coco8

[jan22 3,056]

One of the requirements of the J1 summer work/study vIsa is sufficient English to interact successfully in an Eenglish-language environment, so your need for language studies wou OK do be questioned.

 

Another requirement is that you be enrolled as a full-time post-secondary student in your own country. You had to have shown the consular officer that you would return to studies after your summer of work/travel in the United States.  Remaining in the US to study would be a violation of the requirements/intent of the J1 work/study program.