Enrollment Steps for Students Seeking Change of Status to F-1 Visa Status
If you are currently in the US with a valid visa status such as F2, J1, J2, B2, H1, etc. and are interested in requesting change of status to F1 visa status, please follow the enrollment steps below.
- 1. Meet with an International Student Advisor
Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with Amelia Tokarsky to get help with the enrollment process.
- 2. Choose an F-1 Eligible Program
Students seeking F-1 visa status are only qualified to enroll in certain programs at Durham Tech. View the list of F-1 eligible programs.
Note: Certificate programs are NOT eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship at Durham Tech. You must choose a diploma or degree program from the list linked above.
- 3. Prepare Required Documents
Before starting the online application, please make sure you are able to submit the required documentation. These include:
- Proof of completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent, or a College Degree. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by an official English Translation. If you are not sure what documents to provide, email international@durhamtech.edu.
- Copy of your Passport ID Page
- F-1 I-20 Request Form
- Checklist for Change of Status (COS)
- Form I-20 showing status from current school, and all previous 1-20's issued.
- Form I-94 and entry stamp and other documents indicating visa status
- OPT EAD (if applicable)
- DS-2019 (for J visas holders only)
- Evidence of Financial Support. For the first year, $25,000 USD or the equivalent is required (plus $5,000 for each F-2 dependent), as well as a funding plan for the length of your program. All funds should be shown in US dollars or a currency equivalency must be submitted.
The bank account must be a personal account, not a business account. If the funding is not in your bank account, you must also submit an Affidavit of Support from your sponsor(s).
Acceptable forms of evidence are:- Bank statement dated within 6 months of submission; or
- Letter from bank dated within 6 months of submission
- Proof of completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent, or a College Degree. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by an official English Translation. If you are not sure what documents to provide, email international@durhamtech.edu.
- 4. Complete Online Application
Complete an Online Application to the College.
View information about enrollment due dates.
- 5. Receive Durham Tech ID Number and Activate Student Accounts
After your application is submitted and processed, wait to receive your Durham Tech ID number and account activation details via email. Then, follow the instructions to Activate your Self-Service Account and Login to Student Email.
Account Activation Instructions
If you do not receive this email 14 business days after submitting your application, contact international@durhamtech.edu for your Durham Tech ID number.
- 6. Pay the International Student Application Fee
Log in to Self-Service and pay the $50 International Student Application Fee, then submit a receipt of payment to the Center for the Global Learner.
If you do not see the fee, contact international@durhamtech.edu.
- 7. Take Placement Tests
All students applying from outside the US are required to take Placement Tests, unless they meet one of the exceptions listed below. To sign up:
- Visit the Placement Testing page
- Read the information and proceed to the Signup Form. You have the option of taking them online or on Main Campus
- Fill out the information and check “Accuplacer ESL” for the placement test
- Choose a date and start time for Accuplacer ESL. Note the dates and times are in US Eastern Time (the same time zone as New York). Use the Time Zone Converter to make sure you know the correct date and time for your location.
- Students will be emailed a confirmation for their chosen appointment.
- Note: Test dates are only listed one or two weeks in advance. Visit the webpage at another time for future dates.
- After completing the English Placement Test, students will be referred to an English Instructor to discuss their placement scores. After meeting with the English instructor or if you are waived from taking the English test (see below), email international@durhamtech.edu to let us know you completed all the above steps.
Test exceptions: US Bachelor’s Degree, sufficient SAT or ACT scores, or a transcript of US College-level English classes.
Admission to the college does not constitute admission to certain programs. Some programs have additional requirements and may have competitive admissions requirements.
- 8. Meet with an Academic Advisor
If you took the ACCUPLACER ESL test, after your test you will meet with an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advisor in the CGL (Building 1, Room 148). They will talk to you about your English placement and register you for EFL classes if needed.
Learn About EAP Testing and Course Placement
If you tested out of taking EFL classes, you may need additional testing before you meet with an academic advisor.
- 9. Receive I-20 and Admission Packet
Once all required documents are received, an I-20 (student visa document needed to apply for an F-1 student visa) will be issued within 2 to 4 weeks.
Note: Durham Tech is not currently authorized to issue I-20s for English language study only.
After Receiving I-20 and Admission Packet
- 1. Pay SEVIS Fee
Visit FMJfee.com to pay the SEVIS I-901 by credit or debit card. Western Union is also an option and may be required for students from certain countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, and Cameroon). Read instructions on the website carefully.
To pay the fee you will need the following information from your I-20
SEVIS number (number on front of I-20 that starts with an N)
Durham Tech’s school code on I-20 page 1, under School information, school code and approval date. (The school code begins with ATL etc.)
Print a copy of the receipt after making the payment. This receipt will be shown as proof of payment to the visa-issuing officer at the US Embassy or Consulate.
- 2. Submit I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS
If you have an attorney, please work with them to complete this step.
If you do not have an attorney, follow the instructions for filing an I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Go to I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
After the I-539 is Filed
USCIS will send you a receipt.
- Once you or your attorney receive the receipt, you must submit a copy to ISS
- The receipt is proof that you can remain in the U.S. legally to wait for a decision.
- Visit the USCIS website to check your application status using your receipt number.
Note: I-20s are automatically cancelled 60 days after the I-20 program start date if no action is taken in SEVIS. We will contact you before the date of your 1-20 cancellation to defer your program start date to avoid auto-cancellation.
USCIS will then send one or two of three of the following:
- Request for evidence (RFE) - USCIS may request more information from you in order to make a final decision. If you receive an RFE, you must send the documents that USCIS requests by the deadline listed.
- Approval Notice - If you receive an approval, congratulations! Just come to see us to finalize steps in the registration process. You must be full time enrolled at Durham Tech for the next available semester/term.
- Denial - if so, please contact ISS or your attorney if any.
You must let us know if you receive any of the above. Information from Durham Tech may be required for the RFE.
Notify Durham Tech International Student Services immediately of the following:
- Any changes in your address, name, or major/program of study.
- Your decision to leave the US or change your immigration status.
If you have any questions, please contact international@durhamtech.edu.