Independent Filing
If filing through an immigration attorney or on your own:
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You will receive Form I-797 Notice of Receipt from USCIS approximately two to three weeks after filing the application. You may check the status of the application online using the receipt number found on the receipt notice.
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In certain cases, a change of status to F-1 cannot be approved if the program start date has passed. If the request for change of status has not been approved by the program start date on the Form I-20 you should notify your International Student Advisor to determine whether the program start date on the Form needs to be deferred. Failure to do so may result in your SEVIS record being terminated and lead to a serious violation of immigration status.
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If you receive a Request for Further Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, you should immediately consult with ISSS and/or an immigration attorney before responding.
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When you receive Form I-797 Notice of Approval for your change to F-1 status, you should immediately report to ISSS and bring photocopies of the approval notice, passport pages, Form I-20 and front and back sides of Form I-94. ISSS will then register your immigration status in SEVIS.
Please send all documents to the address below. If you currently reside outside the Atlanta metro area, you must list the following address (in care of your International Student Advisor) in Part 1 of the I-539 Form: Emory University, International Student and Scholar Services, PO Box 15187, Atlanta, GA 30333. Please photocopy all documents related to your application, including your check. Be sure to send your application via Certified Mail from the post office or via courrier service (i.e. Fedex, UPS, etc). After your documents are received, you will receive a notice from USCIS. The notice will provide a case number, listed on the upper left corner and beginning with the letters “TSC.”
Applications sent by regular mail should be sent to:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660166
Dallas, TX 75266
If using express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-539
2501 S. State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067