Visitor (ESTA) to F1 (student)

[Ezio007 0]

Hi, I'm Italian.

I have an F1 Student visa valid from 08/17/2012 to 08/13/2017.

My studies will begin on 11/12..

Here is the question..

I rented an apartment and the leases starts on 10/01. Can I come more than 30 days by my class starts?

Maybe with a Visitor Visa (ESTA) and then automatically turns into F1?

Thank you!

[Little_My 464]

Nope. You can't enter as a visitor and then just switch to an F-1 status in-country. When you come, you'll enter as an F-1 student, and you can only come earliest 30 days before your semester starts, as indicated in your I-20 document. You'll have to figure out a way to get the lease signed from where you are, before you arrive - but, a word of caution. I would not sign up for an apartment and make financial commitments for it unless you have actually seen it in real life, or you have a friend in the US who can go and see it for you. Plenty of scammers running around.

Also, wrong forum. This should be in the student visa forum, not AOS.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Little_My

[Que Saudade 284]

Yes you can.

A beginning student who wants an earlier entry into the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa. A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa and the traveler will need to make the intent to study clear to the U.S. immigration inspector at port of entry. Before beginning any studies, he or she must obtain approval for a change to Exchange Visitor status, filing Form I-539, Application for Change of Nonimmigrant Status and pay the fee. Also you must submit the required Form I-20 to the Department of Homeland Security office where the application is made. Please be aware that one cannot begin studies until the change of classification is approved.

Straight from here

P.S. make sure you follow all the rules and directions so that you do not jeopardize your F1

Edited August 23, 2012 by Que Saudade

[Harsh_77 716]

Yes you can.

A beginning student who wants an earlier entry into the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa. A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa and the traveler will need to make the intent to study clear to the U.S. immigration inspector at port of entry. Before beginning any studies, he or she must obtain approval for a change to Exchange Visitor status, filing Form I-539, Application for Change of Nonimmigrant Status and pay the fee. Also you must submit the required Form I-20 to the Department of Homeland Security office where the application is made. Please be aware that one cannot begin studies until the change of classification is approved.

Straight from here

P.S. make sure you follow all the rules and directions so that you do not jeopardize your F1

For this OP will have to apply for B1/2... cannot use the ESTA.

[Que Saudade 284]

For this OP will have to apply for B1/2... cannot use the ESTA.

Excellent point there Harsh....

[Little_My 464]

I stand corrected - I was always under the impression you'd have to enter with the F-1 to be under F-1 status, and that coming in as a tourist would essentially mean one would have to leave the US and re-enter using the F-1 to change from tourist to student status. But apparently I was wrong!

It does seem like a quite of an ordeal though, to get the change of status done. Personally, probably wouldn't do it - but it's good to know it is an option.

[Asia 2,491]

You can change the status while being in the US.

You can't change the visa while being in the US.

What's the difference?

If you came to the US as a tourist and change your status to F-1 (student), and you have to leave the US after that, you can't come back as a student, since you don't have the student visa (only the student status). If you want to come back as a student, you have to apply for a student visa in your country (outside the US).

[milimelo 4,271]

Moving to student visas.

[Que Saudade 284]

You can change the status while being in the US.

You can't change the visa while being in the US.

What's the difference?

If you came to the US as a tourist and change your status to F-1 (student), and you have to leave the US after that, you can't come back as a student, since you don't have the student visa (only the student status). If you want to come back as a student, you have to apply for a student visa in your country (outside the US).

Not sure as to the logic of your post. The OP HAS a valid F1 Visa. The F1 visa is clear that you can only enter within 30 days prior to course start. The question was can the OP enter earlier than that mandate. The answer is yes under requirements that are clearly defined here.

Don't confuse matters....

[Asia 2,491]

Not sure as to the logic of your post. The OP HAS a valid F1 Visa. The F1 visa is clear that you can only enter within 30 days prior to course start. The question was can the OP enter earlier than that mandate. The answer is yes under requirements that are clearly defined here.

Don't confuse matters....

My reply was an explanation to Little_My post. I should have quoted her, just to not make any confusion... Sorry.

[rahul raheja 0]

Yes you can.

A beginning student who wants an earlier entry into the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa. A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa and the traveler will need to make the intent to study clear to the U.S. immigration inspector at port of entry. Before beginning any studies, he or she must obtain approval for a change to Exchange Visitor status, filing Form I-539, Application for Change of Nonimmigrant Status and pay the fee. Also you must submit the required Form I-20 to the Department of Homeland Security office where the application is made. Please be aware that one cannot begin studies until the change of classification is approved.

Straight from here

P.S. make sure you follow all the rules and directions so that you do not jeopardize your F1

i am entering US on F-1 visa .my I-20 is for 2 months .but after that9within 3 days )i want to start an electiev program which wants me on B-1.so can i change status to b-1 within 2 months (actually 7 weeks).can i apply fro that even before enterin Us on f-1.do i need to consult any attorney to file a case to change status?can u give me contact of any attorney in new york

[Ezio007 0]

BTW, when is the first day when can I arrive in US? (school starts 11/12)

10/14?

[Harsh_77 716]

i am entering US on F-1 visa .my I-20 is for 2 months .but after that9within 3 days )i want to start an electiev program which wants me on B-1.so can i change status to b-1 within 2 months (actually 7 weeks).can i apply fro that even before enterin Us on f-1.do i need to consult any attorney to file a case to change status?can u give me contact of any attorney in new york

Have you already got F1 or u going to apply?

A program for 2 months kinda sounds weird.