If you would like to change your non-immigrant status to F1/M1 and study at Savannah Technical College, then please submit the following documents:
- International student application
- Photocopy of current passport (photo page)
- Proof of financial capacity (at least $28,000)
- Official evaluation of foreign education
- Photocopy of current visa
- Photocopy of current I-94
- If you are currently in J1/J2 status, submit a photocopy of DS-2019.
Once Savannah Technical College has issued an I-20 to you, you may submit form I-539 to USCIS to request a change of status.
Submitting form I-539 (Application to change non-immigrant status)
Items that comprise the change of status application are:
- Form I-539
- Form I-20 from Savannah Technical College
- Original form I-94
- Photocopy of financial capacity documents
- Photocopy of current passport (photo page)
- I-539 application fee ($370 filing fee + $85 bio-metric services fee for each person included on the Form I-539)
Because your individual case may require additional or different support documents, we encourage you to read carefully the instructions for form I-539 before submitting your documents to USCIS.
Directions for submitting form I-539 are included in the instructions. Typically, form I-539 applications are processed, and a decision sent to the applicant, within six to eight months.
If your current non-immigrant permits post-secondary study (e.g. H1B, J1), then you may begin classes while your I-539 application is processed by USCIS; however, certain statuses ( like B1/B2) may not begin classes until the I-539 application is approved. If the B1/B2 status will expire more than 30 days before the program start date, you will need to submit an additional I-539 form to extend the B status (with an immigration lawyer).
For more detailed information in regards of the I-539 from click here.