B2 to F1

[blindsnblinds]

Hi my bro...is in USA on B2 multiple 10 years...he wants to take up a course and change it to F1...at the same time...he wants to hold onto his B2 Visa...

My question is if his F1 is approved. Will he lose his B2 visa status or can he hold both the visas....he intends to come back to India after completion of his studies....does he have to apply for a new visa...if he wants to travel to USA again in future.

[peace]

While in US, status change is done on your
I-94 card and visas are not affected.

He would still be able to enter on his B2 visa after his studies provided he does not violate the terms of his F1 status while in US(overstay, not attending college, working without authorization). Any such violation will
automatically cancel his B2.

However, There are other issues here that he must consider;

*B2 to F1 is not that easy as in the past. I think one must declare at entry on B2 that one has come to explore colleges. The officer then marks
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT on the B2 I-94 , so change of status is facilitated
later.

*If he changes status in US and after returning to India , his B2 expires,
he will have a hard time getting another B2 because embassy does not like change of status.

[orion]

Not recommended, go back to your home country and apply for your best interest.