An individual who has not decided which school to attend in the U.S. may be granted a B-2 visa marked “prospective student” to allow entry to research and apply to schools. After the student is accepted to a school, the B-2 status can be changed to F-1. However, an individual who enters the United States on a B-2 visa may not enroll and begin classes until after the change of status has been approved.
If one is already in the U.S. and has a tourist (B-2) or business (B-1) visa, it may be possible to change the status to F-1 by applying to the USCIS for a change of status. As long as one is in the United States, the change of status is valid. However, if one leaves the U.S. for any reason it is necessary to apply for a new visa that corresponds to the new status. Talk to an experienced immigration attorney before applying for a change, because there are some important legal issues one should consider.
