- 人已在美国,合法持有 B1/B2(旅游/商务)身份
- 想要在美国学习语言课程、大学或研究生课程
- 不打算离境,想直接在境内完成身份转变
第一阶段:前期准备与申请学校
步骤 1:申请并获得学校录取与 I-20 表
- 选择一所 SEVP 认证学校(必须在移民局认证名单内)
可以是语言学校、社区大学、本科、硕士等教育机构 - 准备入学申请材料:
- 护照扫描件
- 学历成绩单(翻译)
- 英语考试成绩(如TOEFL/IELTS,部分语言学校可豁免)
- 个人陈述或推荐信(如适用)
- 资金证明:
- 银行存款证明,金额需覆盖一年学费 + 生活费(视学校而定,一般 $20,000–$50,000)
- 可使用本人、父母或亲属的银行对账单
- 如有资助人,需附上资助声明(Affidavit of Support)
- 学校发放 I-20 表格
- 上面应注明:“Change of Status Requested”
- 你本人需在 I-20 第1页下方签字
第二阶段:准备 I-539 表格并提交(身份转换申请)
步骤 2:注册 USCIS 账户并在线填写 I-539
- 登录:USCIS 官网 I-539 页面
- 点击 “File Online”,注册 USCIS Online Account(邮箱验证)
- 进入表格填写流程,系统会分步骤引导你填写以下内容:
填表内容(主要字段):
- 当前身份类别:B1/B2(Visitor)
- 申请更改为:F-1(Student)
- 是否有家属一同申请?如有,填写 I-539A 表格
- 护照信息、签证信息、I-94入境记录
- 是否有拒签、非法滞留、出入境历史等敏感记录
- 提交理由(为什么现在要变更身份)
步骤 3:准备并上传支持文件(Supporting Documents)
建议文件命名清晰,例如“Passport.pdf”、“BankStatement.pdf”
文件名称 | 内容 |
---|
Passport | 护照信息页 + 签名页(如有) |
Visa | 当前B1/B2签证页复印件 |
I-94 | CBP官网 下载的出入境记录 |
I-20 | 新学校签发的、本人已签字的I-20 |
Acceptance Letter | 学校录取通知书(如有) |
Financial Proof | 银行对账单、父母/资助人声明等 |
Personal Statement | 一封解释信,说明你入境后为何改变学习计划,以及你未来学习目的与归国计划等(非常关键) |
步骤 4:缴费并提交
- 在线提交费用(2024年4月1日起新费标准):
- Online filing fee: $420(建议在线提交)
- Biometrics: 已取消,大多数不再收费
- 总计:$420
- 付款后,系统会生成:
- Form I-539 收据(PDF)
- 支付确认页
- “Submitted”状态的申请记录
第三阶段:等待 USCIS 审批
等待时间:通常为 6–12 个月不等(不同服务中心差异很大)
你将收到:
- I-797C 收据通知(电子+邮寄)
- 若需要补件(RFE),会收到 USCIS 的邮件提醒
- 最终批准(Approval Notice)或拒绝通知(Denial)
注意:
- 在等待期间,你不能注册课程或上课
- 身份维持依赖于 I-94 是否在申请递交时仍有效
- 拒绝后如仍滞留,会构成非法居留
补充建议:
- 解释信一定要诚恳清楚:说明原本来美目的、为何改变计划、未来学习计划和打算如何遵守F-1规则
- 避开“入境就申请”的风险:建议入境60天后才申请,避免违反“入境动机一致性”原则
- 可让学校 DSO 协助写支持信
对比-在美国境外申请 F-1 学生签证(Consular Processing)
适用于人在美国境外,或决定回国/第三国申请F-1签证再入境的人
第一步:获得学校录取并 I-20
同样需要:
- SEVP认证学校录取
- I-20表(标记为“Initial”)
- 提供财力证明
- 签署 I-20 第一页
第二步:缴纳 SEVIS I-901 费用
- 访问:https://fmjfee.com
- 输入 SEVIS ID(在I-20表右上角)
- 选择签证类别:F-1
- 支付 $350
- 打印缴费收据
第三步:填写 DS-160 表格(签证申请)
- 网站:https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC
- 选择“Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)”
- 填写个人资料、护照信息、学校地址、SEVIS ID 等
- 提交后,保存并打印带条形码的确认页
第四步:预约美领馆签证面谈
- 进入 https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ 注册账户
- 输入护照号、DS-160编号、签证种类(F-1)等信息
- 缴纳签证费($185)
- 预约可用面试日期
第五步:准备面签材料清单
材料 | 说明 |
---|
护照原件 | 有效期需超过6个月 |
DS-160确认页 | 带条形码 |
面试预约确认页 | 来自 CGI 系统 |
I-20 原件 | 本人签字,学校DSO签字 |
SEVIS费收据 | I-901付款后打印 |
银行存款证明 | 或父母资助信 |
录取通知书 | Optional 加分项 |
个人说明材料 | 可解释学习计划和归国意图 |
第六步:签证批准与赴美
- 面签结束若签证通过,护照一般 5-7 个工作日退还
- 可在 I-20 课程开始前最多提前30天入境美国
- 入境时向海关出示 I-20、签证和护照
下面是一个适用于 B1/B2 转 F-1 身份(境内)申请 Form I-539 的英文解释信(Statement of Intent to Study / Letter of Explanation)模板,内容涵盖:入境目的、为何改变计划、学术目标、合法身份承诺、资金来源等。
【Letter of Explanation for Change of Status from B1/B2 to F-1】
[Your Full Name]
[U.S. Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
USCIS
Attn: I-539 Change of Status
[Date]
Subject: Statement of Purpose for Change of Status from B1/B2 to F-1
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is [Your Full Name], and I entered the United States on a [B1/B2] visitor visa on [Date of Entry], with an authorized stay until [I-94 Expiry Date]. I am writing to respectfully request a change of my nonimmigrant status from B1/B2 to F-1, in order to pursue full-time academic studies at [School Name].
When I initially entered the U.S., my purpose was to visit friends/family and explore cultural and educational opportunities. During my stay, I had the chance to tour several institutions and reflect on my long-term educational goals. After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue formal education in the United States to improve my academic and professional prospects. I have been admitted to [Program Name, e.g., Intensive English Program / Associate Degree / Bachelor’s Program] at [School Name], beginning on [Program Start Date]. My SEVIS ID is [SEVIS Number], and I have enclosed a copy of my signed Form I-20 issued by the school.
I am fully committed to complying with the regulations governing F-1 students. I understand that F-1 status requires full-time enrollment and prohibits unauthorized employment. I will maintain valid immigration status at all times and will leave the United States upon completion of my studies unless I am otherwise authorized to remain.
To support my studies, I have included documentation of sufficient financial resources, including [e.g., personal savings, a financial support letter from my parents, and bank statements], demonstrating my ability to cover tuition and living expenses throughout the duration of my program.
I respectfully request your favorable consideration of my application for a change of status to F-1. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter. Please feel free to contact me if further information is needed.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Signature, if printing]
下面是一份标准格式的父母资助声明(Affidavit of Support)模板,适用于 B1/B2 转 F-1 身份或境外申请 F-1 签证时作为财力证明文件使用
【Affidavit of Support (Parental Financial Sponsorship Letter)】
[Parent’s Full Name]
[Parent’s Address in Home Country]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern:
I, [Parent’s Full Name], am the [father/mother] of [Your Full Name], who is currently applying to study in the United States as an international student.
I am fully aware of my child’s intention to study at [School Name], beginning on [Program Start Date], and I hereby confirm that I am willing and financially able to support my child for the entire duration of their academic program in the United States.
I undertake to provide financial support for tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and other educational-related costs. I estimate the total annual expenses to be approximately [USD Amount, e.g., $30,000] per year, and I am fully capable of meeting this obligation.
To support this statement, I have enclosed the following documents:
- Recent bank statements showing available funds
- Proof of employment and income (if applicable)
- Property ownership or other financial assets (if relevant)
I certify that all the information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I fully understand the responsibilities involved and agree to provide continuous support for the duration of my child’s studies in the U.S.
Sincerely,
[Parent’s Full Name]
[Signature (if printed)]
附加建议:
- 建议附上银行存款证明或银行对账单(余额大于一年学费+生活费)
- 如用中文写,可同时附上英文翻译件
【免责声明 Disclaimer】
© Wang Law LLC(大为律师事务所)
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