B2 Visitor — Better to Change to F1, Apply for Extension, or Leave and Apply Later?

[ukas0278 0]

Hi everyone,

 

My spouse and I entered the U.S. on B2 visitor visas in February 2025, and our authorized stay (I-94) expires in the end of July 2025. We’ve been staying and visiting our family and covering our own expenses.

 

We’re considering studying or working in the U.S. and are trying to decide between three options:

1. Apply for a change of status from B2 to F1 now, before our I-94 expires.

2. Request an extension of our B2 visa for another 6 months and then apply for F1 from within the U.S.

3. Leave the U.S. before our I-94 expires (we're considering spending 6–12 months in Spain), and later apply for an F1 or an EB2-NIW visa from a U.S. consulate abroad.

 

We both have masters degree and experience in tech-related fields. One of us works remotely for a foreign company, and we have some financial stability but not big funds.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on which path is considered wiser or more realistic. Is it safer to apply for the F1 from abroad after some time outside the U.S.? Or is it better to change status while we’re still here?

Any guidance or experiences are appreciated — thank you!

[OldUser 9,267]

1 minute ago, fukas said:

Hi everyone,

One of us works remotely for a foreign company, and we have some financial stability but not big funds.

Education is expensive in the US. How are you planning on paying tuition?

[Crazy Cat 43,929]

#3.  The other options are risky.

[OldUser 9,267]

23 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

#3.  The other options are risky.

True. Also, worth noting the issuance of all F-1 visas is being paused AFAIK? There seems to be change to vetting process.

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/27/trump-team-orders-stop-to-new-student-visa-interviews-as-it-weighs-expanding-social-media-vetting-00370501

 

[Boiler 47,094]

Yo can’t work in the US when visiting 

[JeanneAdil 6,983]

extension would not be approved by time visa tourist visa runs out and risks overstay

 

Again, you are not supposed to be working on  tourist visa -not even online

 

I don't believe you can change status of visa 

Edited May 30 by JeanneAdil

[OldUser 9,267]

Very good observation @Boiler @JeanneAdil

 

@ukas0278 whoever is working from the US remotely already violated terms of their visitor visa. Realistically this has to be disclosed in future visa applications and if asked by CBP

[Boiler 47,094]

Especially tricky if you are using that income to pay for a F.

Edited May 30 by Boiler

[appleblossom 4,033]

Option 3 is your only realistic option.  Particularly as said above as it sounds like you’ve been working illegally to fund your trip.
 

Extending your B2 isn’t going to happen unless you have good grounds - think one of you being hospitalized etc. It doesn’t sound as though you’d have a valid reason for that. And if you both already have masters and established careers then a F1 isn’t likely to be granted either. 
 

So stop work right now (remember if you do want to apply for EB2 NIW that will have a big impact) and plan to head back earlier if you don’t have enough funds to stay another couple of months. Then you can apply properly from your own country. 
 

I’d also look at employment based visas if you’re in tech fields. Either of your company’s have US offices you could transfer to?