HOW TO AVOID A DENIAL WHEN CHANGING STATUS IN THE U.S. Our client’s story
- marketing943288
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Our client’s change of status from a tourist visa (B-2) to an F-1 student status was approved.
We don’t usually share cases like this, but this one is worth telling. The case involved an RFE (Request for Evidence) and can be a valuable lesson for anyone planning to change status in the U.S.
The situation
Our client was in the United States in tourist status and applied for a change of status to F-1 for in-person study.
What USCIS usually requires for a change of status to F-1
School confirmation (Form I-20): proof that the school has officially accepted the applicant
Financial ability: evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses in the U.S.
Ties to the home country: proof that the applicant has a “home base” outside the U.S. (property, family, close relatives, etc.)
Future plans: a clear explanation of why the education is needed and what the applicant plans to do after completing the program
In most cases, this is a fairly straightforward process.
The RFE from USCIS
We prepared the full application package and submitted it to USCIS. However, USCIS issued an RFE, requesting additional evidence.
Specifically, USCIS raised the following concerns:
Tourist activity doubts:USCIS did not believe that the client engaged only in tourist activities while in the U.S. They requested a detailed explanation of what the client did in the U.S., along with evidence confirming it was strictly tourism.
Financial concerns:USCIS questioned whether the client could financially support themselves.
Study location issue:USCIS asked how the client planned to study at a school in New York while currently residing in another state.
Program start date:The program start date was too early for USCIS to reasonably adjudicate the case on time.We were aware of this risk and were prepared to request a new I-20 if needed.
Our response and result
The client was confused by the RFE and did not understand why additional documents were required, since a “complete package” had already been submitted.
We explained everything clearly, provided additional evidence, responded to each RFE point in detail, and strengthened the case as much as possible.
The result: approval. The client will soon begin their studies and fulfill a long-held dream.
If you are also considering a change of status in the U.S., contact us at info@bloomrich.com.
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