I have seen many people doing that. But its not the safe way. If you are converting to F1, its better to come here in F1.

White Lily · Jul 21, 2009 7:50 AM

Thanks Water lily, Why is it not safe? I am just searching option for my cousin.

jynepal · Jul 21, 2009 5:13 PM

I did the same thing so I am going to share my experiation with you. You can change your tourist visa to student visa while you are in US. First go to the university and they will tell you whatever you need to do. For this purpose, you need your academic certificates, TOEFL, IELTS( if possible) otherwise you have to take campus placement test or you can take toefl exam while you are in US, Bank statement to show them that you  are capable of paying tution fee and accomodation fee while you are in US and one explanation letter of your intension why you want to change your tourist visa to student visa. After showing all these proof, the university will issue new SEVIS and I-20. After getting all these documents, you can apply to USCIS or university itself will apply to USCIS on the behalf of yourself if you talk to them. For all these purpose, you have to pay almost 500 dollar and it takes 3 to 5 months to change your status. One important thing is that please do not apply immediately after coming to US. The suitable time to apply for changing your status is 45 days after arrival to US or 45 days befor your visa expiration date. Finally, you have to remember that you can stay in the US legally as long as you maintain your status but if you leave US you cannot re-enter the US with old visa.You must take new student visa to re-enter the US. I hope this will help you. Best of luck in advance.

kakadaka · Jul 21, 2009 6:09 PM

Thank you very much for the detail information. Is it ok if he applies to college before he comes to US?

jynepal · Jul 21, 2009 6:35 PM

Nope! Don't apply from home country if you are planning to change your tourist visa to student visa. As I told you earlier you have to apply after 45 days of your arrival or befor 45 days of your visa expiration otherwise USCIS will denied your application. Don't think about university because they will issue SEVIS and I-20 Immediately if your are able to show them all the evidence. I mean to say college is not a important factor to change your status. The important factor is USCIS who has got full authority to accept or denied your application.

kakadaka · Jul 21, 2009 8:17 PM

I have one question with kakadaka. You seem helpful to me. I also did the same process. I am doing my master’s right now. I want to go Nepal in my college break. But I heard that once you go back to Nepal, there is less chance to re-enter the US with new student visa. My international advisor warning me not to do those stupid things coz US immigration doesn’t like ppl changing their status.  Do you have any idea? Thank You!    

bhagwan · Jul 23, 2009 4:31 AM

Bhagwan, i dont think it is a good idea to go to Nepal in your situation. I know few people who went to nepal to renew their visa for masters degree, and they we going to college and had a very good score, but their visa was rejected. Just do some good research and best of luck... Thanks for the detail info ka..ka

jynepal · Jul 23, 2009 7:10 AM

Actually, One of my friend who finished his RN here went to Nepal last year but the ambesy rejected his visa application but second time he was able to get visa for 2 years. I heard 90% people were rejected who changed there visa after coming to the US. So, do not take risk at this time while you are doing your master here. 

kakadaka · Jul 23, 2009 9:35 AM