Can I convert my United States tourist visa to a work or study visa? Many first-time visitors to the United States often wish to stay back until the end of their stay. 

Imagine the mesmerizing New York skyscrapers, Austin’s eclectic music scene, the wonderlands of Florida, or the magnificent waterfronts dotting different cities beckoning you to spend more time in the country.

Read: Study Abroad For Adults Easiest Pathways

Each city offers you a slice of the grand patchwork of the American experience and leaves you wondering what happened to Africa. While contemplating to convert your tourist visa might seem like a stealthy thought, so will the DOS consider your action.

A temporary visa to the USA means that it's temporary, and the true intention of that visa must be obeyed. The U.S. government trusted you to return to Africa after your short stay in its country. However, if you must change your visa status in the U.S., you must have a strong and genuine reason.

While changing your tourist visa to a work or study visa is possible, the process is not cheap. Moreover, when you consider a change in your status, the U.S. government often takes the action as a preconceived thought that may be misleading.

In a worse scenario, you could be permanently barred from coming to the country. When you receive a short-term visa, you don't spend more than six months in the U.S. Therefore, you knew the time frame before you came to the country and communicated the thought to the officers at the port of entry.

Can You Convert Your Tourist Visa to a Work Visa?

Yes.

When you decide to change your visa status within 90 days of staying in the country, the government takes it as a presumption of misrepresentation. Therefore, the DOS requires you to prove beyond doubt that you have a genuine reason for trying to change your visa status.

Read: How to Migrate to the United States Easily

Changing Status from a Short-Term Visa to Permanent Visa

The non-immigrant visa or B1/B2 visa allows you to visit the country for business or tourism purposes. In addition, you can use the visa for your medical treatment, conference, classes, or concerts.

However, you cannot do the following with your tourist visa:

·         Earn a permanent residence 

·         Study

·         Do paid performances or any professional performance 

·         Have long-term employment 

·         Work  in film, radio, print journalism, or other information media, or as foreign press

·         Visit as a crewmember on an aircraft or ship

The 90-day Rule

What’s the 90-day Rule? The 90-day Rule states temporary visa holders who want to change their visa status or stay in the U.S. through marriage within 90 days of staying in the country are presumed to have misrepresented their original intentions. 

You should convince the DOS of your intentions to change your visa status. 

1.    Converting From B1/B2 Visa to H1B: Applicants must find an employer ready to sponsor them for an H1B visa. Then, the employers or companies can petition for them until April of the following year during the H1B lottery process.

2.    Converting Your B1/B2 Visa to an F1 Visa:  Applicants must prove genuine intentions to change their visa status. Furthermore, they must have met the following eligibility conditions:

·         They have not committed any crime that would take away their eligibility.

·         They were lawfully admitted into the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, a B2 or a B1 visa.

·         They have been successful in keeping their status

·         Their visa status has not expired

·         They are not deemed inadmissible into the USA under U.S. law

·         They have not been granted any waiver in inadmissibility

Read: How to Migrate to the United States Easily

Documents Required to Convert From US Tourist Visa to Work/Study Visa

Applicants must fill out the following forms if they must change their visa status and mailed to USCIS.

·         Evidence of financial stability: Bank statements, copies of tax returns, and any sponsor's financial status

·         Form I-539 – Application for the extension/change of nonimmigrant status

·         Form I-20 – Certificate of Eligibility for nonimmigrant student status

·         Proof that demonstrates that you have significant ties to your home

·         Additional documents that show your original intent to go back to your home country when you did have a B1 visa.

Can I go to the USA on a tourist visa and find a job?

No.

People with visitor visas (B1/B2) cannot accept employment or work in the United States.

When should I change my status from a visitor to a student?

Applicants should for status change before their programmes begin. In addition, they must only enroll in classes or start studying once USCIS has approved their status change. They have to wait at least 15 days before their programs are due to begin for USCIS decision. If they have yet to respond, they should contact the DSO at their schools.

Read: Best and Worst US Cities for Black Immigrants

What can I do if my B-1/B-2 visitor visa expires before I have received my F-1 student visa?

You have two options if you are in the United States on a visitor visa, and your status will expire more than 30 days before your program start date. Here is what you can do:

1.    Apply for an F-1 student visa through consular processing

2.    Leave the U.S. 

With the F-1 student visa, you can enter the United States and stay up to 30 days before your school program starts. 

You don’t have to struggle with converting your U.S. visit visa to a study visa. Across the Horizon can help you with an affordable school, prepare you for your visa interview, and support your relocation.