The F-1 student visa allows you to enter the United States up to 30 days before your school program starts. 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, then you have two options: you can request to extend your current status by filing another Form I-539 to USCIS, or you may leave the U.S. and apply for a F-1 student visa through consular processing. If you choose to extend your status, you will need to pay a separate filing fee. You can keep an eye on USCIS processing times to help you decide if you want to extend or change your status. You don’t have to navigate the F-1 student visa process alone. Boundless + RapidVisa can complete your F-1 application, help you prepare for your visa interview, and answer any student visa questions you may have along the way. Learn more about what we do to help.