mmh, h4 only needs to pay in-state tuition yah. there's benefits. but if u want ur own status, that's understandable. just lots of work

不用离开美国就可以转，H-4也可以上学，还有转身份不归graduate school管，一般是international office（类似的名字）负责

mm是怎么做的，我也去了international student office 问了，他们要admission office 发I-20给我，但在发之前addmission office要求一些材料，还要到移民局check我的情况，所有材料准备好之后我要回国重新申请，这是admission officer 告诉我的，我也不知道怎么办，我约了international office 的专家下星期再仔细谈一下

今天问了我的一个朋友，她去年办的H4--F1，并不需要回国

I-20是把材料交到admission office就行了，不需要自己经手 （我这里的学校是这样的，不知道mm哪里是不是有不同的要求）

拿到I-20后转身份的具体事项就得自己去办，把准备好的材料寄到相应的机构，you can find more details and download the files(Form I-539)

on the website : http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-539.htm.。在拿到I-20前把材料准备好，到时候就可以一起寄出去，需要等一段时间，所以越早越好，如果实在来不及可以申请加急，以“不能在入学前转好就拿不到奖学金之类的”。材料寄出后会有个a receipt number，MITBBS.COM overseas版可以查到最近已经受理到几号递交的材料，一般都是按顺序来的。

朋友当时用的材料清单（仅供参考）：

PART A

Applicant basic documents:

1. Application fee of $195

2. Form I-539

3. Original form I-20
4. Cover letter for requesting a change of status (H4→F1 or other)
5. Admission letter& offer letter of your University
6. Photocopy of passport
7. Photocopy of visa stamp
8. Photocopy of I-94 (both sides)
9. Notarization of certificate of nativity
10. Photocopy of my Identity Card and translation
11 Photocopy of certificate of residence and translation

PART B

Financial documents:

1. Original reference letter from Bank

2. Photocopy of Bank statements of last 3 months
3. Supporting letter from your husband
4. 3 recent paychecks of your husband

PART C

Applicant’s spouse documents

1. Notarization of Marriage Certificate

2. Photocopy of your husband’s passport
3. Photocopy of your husband’s visa stamp
4. Photocopy of your husband’s I-94 (both sides)
5. Photocopy of your husband’s form I-129
6. Photocopy of your husband’s form I-797B

7. Photocopy of your husband’s form ETA 9035 E

8. Photocopy of your husband’s offer letter
9. Verification Letter of your husband’s status at the University

刚刚在一个f2转f1的帖子里贴了一遍。。。应该不用离开美国的。





这是我们学校oiss发的，你lg学校的oiss网站上应该也有类似的文章的





其他身份F2,H4等转F1/J1的规定





Recent changes in immigration law have significantly affected who is allowed to
pursue study in the United States. In particular, please note the following:



• Effective 4/12/02, individuals in B-1/B-2 visitor status are
no longer allowed to enroll in a course of study; to do so is considered a
violation of immigration status. Any individual in B-1/B-2 status wishing to
engage in full-time study must change to F-1 status in order to do so. Persons
in WT/WB "visa waiver" status are prohibited from study and
cannot change status without departing the U.S. (see "Travel Option,
below).


• Effective 1/1/03, individuals in F-2 dependent status
are no longer allowed to study on a full-time basis, but must change to or enter
the country in F-1 status. Please consult an OISS advisor if you are in F-2
status and wish to pursue full-time studies at ***
UNIVERSITY.





Introduction


If you are presently in the United States in
a nonimmigrant status (such as H-4, A-1, or L-2 status), you may want or need to
change to F-1 or J-1 student status in order to pursue your degree at *** U.
There are two ways to obtain F-1 or J-1 student status: (1) by submitting an
application to the Immigration and Naturalization Service; or (2) by traveling
outside of the U.S., obtaining an F-1 or J-1 visa, and re-entering using the new
visa.


Each way has its own advantages and disadvantages; depending on your
situation, the OISS may recommend one way over the other as the better option.
Please speak to an OISS advisor regarding your individual
situation.





Travel Option versus Non-Travel Option


In order to obtain
either F-1 or J-1 status, you must have been admitted to a full-time course of
study at *** U. and have sufficient financial resources to meet your
program's tuition, fees, and living expenses. You must have also have
received a Form I-20 (for F-1 students) from the OISS, or a Form DS-2019 (for
J-1 students) from the OISS or another sponsoring J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
documenting your eligibility to pursue a full-time course of study at ***
U..


(A) Travel Option: Once you have received a Form I-20 or a Form DS-2019,
you can travel outside of the United States (preferably to your home country),
apply for an F-1 or J-1 entry visa at a U.S. consulate overseas, and re-enter
the U.S. using your new visa. To apply for a new visa, you will need to
carry:


• an I-20 for F-1 students or as a DS-2019 for J-1
students


• an unexpired passport valid for at least 6
months


• a copy of your admission letter from **
U


• financial documentation demonstrating that you have
sufficient financial resources to meet the tuition, living expenses, and fees
for your program.


All of the above documents should be presented when
applying for a visa and again upon entering the United States. When you enter
the U.S., you must request F-1 or J-1 status from a U.S. immigration inspector.
Upon clearing immigration inspection, you will be in F-1 or J-1 status.


(B)
Non-Travel Option: - Once you have received an I-20 or DS-2019, you can submit
an application to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to request a change
in your immigration status to F-1 or J-1 status. The application should
include:


• a check or money order made payable to the
"Immigration and Naturalization Service" for
US$140.00


• a completed INS Form I-539 (available at the OISS
or over the INS web site at <a target=_blank
href='http://www.ins.gov'>http://www.ins.gov</a>


)


&amp;#8226;
an I-20 for F-1 students or DS-2019 for J-1 students


&amp;#8226;
photocopies of your passport identification page, I-94 card, and
visa


&amp;#8226; a photocopy of your admission letter from **
U


&amp;#8226; photocopies of your financial documents showing that you
have sufficient financial resources to meet the tuition, living expense, and
fees for your program


&amp;#8226; evidence that you have maintained
lawful status while in the United States prior to submitting your application
for change of status, and that you submitted your application in a timely manner
(prior to the expiration of your current status).


Prepare all of the above
materials and mail it to the INS as indicated on the I-539 application form. The
INS will adjudicate your application typically within 1-3 months after receiving
it. It is not unusual for the INS to contact applicants with requests for more
information prior to making a final decision. Once the INS completes
adjudication of your application you will receive written confirmation of their
decision.


Please note that the Non-travel option leads only to a change in
your immigration status. You will not obtain a new entry visa by this method. If
you receive a change of status, you must still obtain a new visa the next time
you travel outside of the United States, if you wish to re-enter as an F-1 or
J-1 student.





Important Restrictions


If any of the below apply to you,
you can only change your status by using the Travel option; you cannot use the
Non-Travel option.


&amp;#8226; You are currently in the U.S. under the
&quot;visa waiver&quot; program, or as a B-1/B-2
tourist


&amp;#8226; You are currently in the U.S. as a J-1 exchange
visitor or a J-2 dependent and are subject to the Two-Year Home Residency
Requirement (Section 212e of the Immigration and Nationality
Act)


&amp;#8226; You are currently in the U.S., but are in violation of
your current immigration status (e.g., because your I-94 card expired or you
have remained beyond your authorized period of stay in the U.S.)


Contact the
OISS


You should contact the OISS in the following
circumstances


&amp;#8226; Prior to making a final decision whether to use
the Travel or Non-Travel option


&amp;#8226; If you need to leave the U.S.
after you submit your application to the INS for a change of
status


&amp;#8226; If the INS contacts you with a request for more
information concerning your application for a change of
status


&amp;#8226; If the INS does not respond to your application within
3 months


&amp;#8226; If your I-94 or other immigration documents have
expired


&amp;#8226; If you are in H-1B status but are no longer working
for your H-1B sponsor


&amp;#8226; If you believe you are out of status
for any other reason