NOONG huli kong artikulo, aking tinalakay ang Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status na ginagamit para palawigin o baguhin ang status ng aplikanteng nandito sa US sa ilalim ng nonimmigrant visa category na B1/B2 (bisita), F1 (estudyante); J1 (exchange visitor) or kaya H4, E2 o L2 (mga dependent ng H1 [temporary worker], E1 [investor] or L1 [intra-company transferee]). Marami ang nagtatanong kung paano maaaring magpalit ng status ang isang B2 visitor para maging F1 student status habang nananatili dito sa US. Ito ang aking tatalakayin ngayon.
Ang isang dayuhang naka-B2 visitor status ay maaaring mag-apply na palitan ang kanyang nonimmigrant status para maging F1 student kung ang mga susunod na pamantayan ay kanyang maipapakita sa USCIS:
• Ang B2 visitor status ng aplikante ay mabisa pa rin – di pa siya nananatili sa US na lampas sa petsang nakalagay sa kanyang Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record.
• Ang aplikante ay walang paglabag sa kanyang B2 visitor status – siya ay nagbabakasyon lamang at bumibisita sa mga pamilya at kaibigan.
• Ang aplikante ay walang nagawang krimen o mga aksyon na magdudulot sa kanyang pagiging ineligible para sa change of status.
• Ang aplikante ay nag-apply at natanggap na sa isang Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school at nabigyan na ng Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
• Ang aplikante ay nagbayad na ng $200 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
Kung ang mga pamantayang nakasaad ay kanyang natugunan, ang aplikante ay maaaring mag-file ng Form I-539 Application to Change Status mula B2 visitor para maging F1 student. Hanggat makatanggap ang aplikante ng approval mula sa USCIS, hindi niya maaaring ipalagay na siya ay aprubado na at maaari nang mag-aral. Kailangang mapanaliti pa rin ng aplikante ang kanyang B2 visitor status sa patuloy na pagbakasyon sa US hanggang sa maaprubahan na ng USCIS ang kanyang F1 Application.
Ang USCIS ay maaari lamang mag-apruba ng I-539 Change of Status Application kung ang aplikante ay napapanatili ang kanyang B2 status hanggang 30 araw bago ang initial start date ng kanyang F1 academic program. Ang pangalawang Form I-539 para sa extension ng B2 status as kailangang i-file sa USCIS sa mga sumusunod na sitwasyon:
• Kung ang B2 visitor status ay mawawalan na ng bisa ng higit pa sa 30 araw bago ang initial F1 program start date. Ang hindi pag-file ng pangalawang I-539 para sa extension ng B2 status ay maaaring maging dahilan ng denial ng USCIS ng F1 Application.
• Kung ang F1 program start date ay deferred sa susunod na academic term o semester sapagkat ang USCIS ay wala pang desisyon sa F1 Application bago ang initial F1 program start date. Ang pangalawang I-539 Application ay kailangan bilang “bridging the gap in time” mula sa petsa na nag-expire and B2 status at 30 araw bago magsimula ang panibagong F1 program start date.
In my last article, I discussed Form I-539, which is used to apply for a change or extension of status for applicants who are in the US under different categories such as B-1/B2 (visitor), F-1 (student), J1 (exchange visitor), or H4, E2 or L2 (dependents of H1 [temporary worker], E1 [investor] and L1 [intra-company transferee]). We received a lot of inquiries on changing status from B2 visitor to F1 student while continuing to stay in the US, and this is what I will discuss today.
An alien under a valid B2 status may apply to change nonimmigrant status to F1 academic student upon showing the following:
• Applicant’s B2 status is still valid – applicant has not overstayed or stayed beyond the period authorized as indicated in Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record.
• Applicant has not violated B2 status – applicant continues to have a vacation in the US and visit family and friends.
• Applicant has not committed any crime or engaged in any action that would make applicant ineligible for change of status.
• Applicant has applied and has been accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school; and has been given a Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
• Applicant has paid $200 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
If the above criteria have been met, the applicant may file Form I-539 Application to Change Status from B2 to F1 with the USCIS. Until the applicant receives approval from the USCIS, applicant must continue to maintain B2 visitor status.
USCIS may only approve I-539 Application to Change Status Application if applicant is maintaining B2 status up to 30 days before the F1 program initial start date. This means that the applicant has to file a second I-539 to Extend B2 status if:
• Applicant’s current status will expire more than 30 days before the initial F1 program start date. Failure to file the second I-539 Application timely may result in the denial of F1 Application.
• Applicant’s F1 program start date is deferred to the following academic term or semester because USCIS has not made a decision on the I-539 Application before the original F1 program start date, and B2 status expires more than 30 days before that program start date. A second I-539 Application has to be filed to bridge the gap in time between the date the applicant’s current B2 status expires and the 30-day period before the new F-1 program start date.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
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