Changing Immigration Status to F-1
An F-1 student from Canada acquires status using the Form I-20, issued by the U.S. school which the student is attending/planning to attend. Status is acquired in one of two ways: 1) by entering the United States with the I-20 and an F-1 visa obtained at a U.S. consulate abroad (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement); or 2) by applying to USCIS for a change of nonimmigrant status (if the student is already in the United States and cannot travel). Please note that once you change your status to F-1, you are subject to all of the rules and regulations set forth for F-1 students. For more information about a change of status, please visit our website.
I-20, Visa and Initial Entry
Canadian citizens studying at ASU (who are not also U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the U.S.) are considered international students and must abide by all immigration regulations that apply to them. Although Canadian citizens intending to be students in the U.S. do not need to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 student visa, they need to be processed at the border to get their proper F-1 student visa status. All international students are required to get an I-20 from ASU prior to crossing into the U.S. to attend classes.
When entering the U.S. for the first time on an ASU I-20, Canadian students must indicate clearly to the CBP inspecting officer (in the booth at a land border crossing or at the airport kiosk) that they have an I-20 to be processed. Students at land border crossings will need to park and go into the inspection building, as directed by the CBP officer. Students at airports may need to go to secondary inspection. Canadian international students need to bring the following during their initial entry:
- Current I-20 or DS-2019 issued from ASU
- Copy of your Financial Guarantee document(s)
- I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
- Proof of Canadian citizenship/passport
- Your original letter of acceptance and letter of any scholarships awarded
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
Maintaining Status & Employment
Canadian F-1 students are subject to all the same rules for maintaining valid F-1 status as any other international student which means maintaining full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring semesters. In addition, Canadian students are subject to the same employment rules as all other F-1 students. You are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week during the Fall or Spring semester for any on-campus position. For additional information, please visit our on-campus employment webpage. You may work on campus, but must receive work authorization for ANY off-campus employment, including summer work and internships. Any off-campus position should relate to your major, as jobs in fast food or retail would not be permissible unless falling into the parameters of your major. Please review our off-campus employment page for further information if you are seeking employment off-campus.
Travel
Canadian F-1 students will always be asked to present an I-20 and proof of identity and citizenship to re-enter the U.S. The international student advisor's travel signature on page two of the I-20 should be updated at least once a year, and every six months while on OPT. For more information on student travel signatures, please visit our webpage.
When entering the U.S., Canadian students must make sure that they are entering as students in F-1 student visa status, not as visitors. It is recommended that you check your visa class of entry on your I-94 to confirm your F-1 status. You can retrieve your most recent I-94 here.
Helpful Links
US Embassy & Consulate Websites in Canada
Entering the United States
TN Mexican and Canadian NAFTA professional workers
