F-1 student: which form you use to extend or change your status

It is the temporary status for full-time study at an approved school in the United States. Your spouse and children may accompany you in F-2 status.

Your school gives you Form I-20, which confirms your program. Your record lives in SEVIS, the government system for international students.

Every school has a designated school official, the DSO. That person updates your I-20 and your SEVIS record, and knows what paperwork your school requires.

Before filling out any USCIS form, talk to your DSO. Many changes, like a program extension, are handled there and not with USCIS.

Moving from another temporary status to F-1, or from F-1 to another, is requested from USCIS on Form I-539, the application to change status.

Your spouse or children in F-2 are added with supplement I-539A, one per person. The I-539 guide explains what people usually gather.

Whether your case belongs on the I-539 or is handled by your DSO is for your school or a licensed attorney to answer. We do not answer it.

Work permission is separate from status. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is requested from USCIS on Form I-765, once your DSO recommends it in SEVIS.

Other permissions, like on-campus work or CPT, are authorized by the school and do not go through USCIS. Your DSO knows which applies.

USCIS announced a new edition of Form I-539 and Form I-765, mandatory from September 15, 2026, with no grace period.

An old edition is rejected. The edition date sits at the foot of each page; compare it with the official USCIS page before you print.

Paso Libre prepares the I-539 and the I-765 as self-service form filling, when they are open. You review, sign and mail; USCIS fees are paid separately.

We are not a law firm and we do not give legal advice. We never decide whether you should change status or request a work permit.

For legal questions, a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can guide you. The official directories are linked below.