If you are currently on a non-immigrant status (except C, D, J subject to two year home residency or K visa status) you may have the ability to change your status to F-1 within the United States. To be eligible to change status in the U.S., your current status must not expire until at least 30 days prior to start date of classes for the semester you will begin your studies. Dependents of students (F-2 and M-2) and B-2 tourists must change status in order to study at a college/university and must study full time. A dependent child in E, H-4, I, J-2, L-2, O-3, P-4, R-2, or TD status, must change status in order to remain lawfully in the U.S. after the 21st birthday, after marriage, or after moving out of the parent's household. Dependent children in A and G status may remain in status after age 21, but not after marriage or becoming independent of the principal.

Changing status to F-1 student is a cooperative effort between you the prospective student, UC International Services and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS has an online system for making application to change status called the ELIS-Electronic Immigration System.

Once you are admitted to UC you should go to https://ioffice.uc.edu and click the “Limited iStart Services” link. Under the “Admission and Orientation” menu you will find the “Change of Status to F-1” eForm. Follow the instructions and complete the eForm.