American English Language School

If you are in the United States on a B-2 visitor visa and thinking about studying English, one date should be on your calendar: September 15, 2026 . That is when a new DHS rule replaces "duration of status" for F-1 students with a fixed period of admission — and it changes what a change of status approval actually gives you. Why the timing matters A change of status approval is itself an admission decision. If USCIS approves your Form I-539 before September 15, you still receive duration of status, and transition provisions generally let you continue to the program end date on your I-20. You also keep the 60-day grace period instead of the new 30 days, and any English study completed before that date does not count toward the new 24-month ESL limit. If your approval lands on or after September 15, your I-797 approval notice will carry a new I-94 with a fixed end date. That date, not your I-20, governs how long you may stay — and overstaying it can start unlawful presence ...

Thinking about switching to an F-1 student visa so you can study English full-time? If you are already in the United States, a change of status may let you do it without leaving the country. Here is a quick, practical overview for anyone considering ESL classes in Fullerton . What a Change of Status Involves A change of status moves you from your current nonimmigrant category to F-1 student status while you stay in the U.S. Instead of applying for a visa abroad, you file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and wait for approval before beginning classes. The Basic Steps First, get accepted at an SEVP-certified school. As an SEVP-certified English school in Fullerton , American English Language School can issue your initial Form I-20. Next, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, then file Form I-539 with USCIS before your Form I-94 expires. If your current status does not allow study, wait for approval before enrolling full-time. A Few Things to Watch You must have valid statu...