F-1 Change of Level

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires F-1 students to report academic program changes by obtaining a new I-20 for each change. If the academic major changes within a single program, it is a change of major.

Changes involving two programs are referred to by DHS as a “change of level.”  To maintain F-1 status obtain a Change of Level (COL) I-20 appropriate to your situation.

Step 1

Identify your situation.

  • Graduating from one degree program and starting another within five months. Check the academic calendar for the last day of final exams. Submit a COL I-20 request to the ISSO no more than 60 days past that date.
  • Moving from one degree program to another at a different level without completing the first program. Request your COL I-20 at least five business days before the first day of classes for the semester.
  • Completing OPT and starting a new degree program within 5 months. Request your COL I-20 no more than 60 days past your OPT end date.
  • Moving from OPT to a new program before the OPT end date. Request your COL I-20 at least five business days before the first day of classes for the semester.

Step 2

Apply for Change of Level with ISSO

Submit your application documents to ISSODocuments@utdallas.edu.

The ISSO will send an email to your UT Dallas email address once your request is complete. See our Processing Times.

Important Considerations

  • Work authorizations. CPT and OPT are degree-specific.
    • On the day a COL I-20 for a new program is issued, any existing work authorization ends.
    • The earliest you may be authorized to begin a new CPT is the program start date for the new Change of Level I-20. However, you must check your specific CPT I-20 to determine when you have been authorized to begin CPT.
  • International travel.  If you will travel internationally between programs you should use the new COL I-20 to re-enter the U.S.
  • Required summer enrollment.  F-1 regulations require full-time enrollment in the first semester of a new program, even if that semester is summer.  If your admission is for summer and you do not plan to be enrolled that semester, consider deferring admission to a future term.
  • Driver’s license renewals.  License offices require students to present I-20s that are valid and unexpired for at least six months into the future. Time your COL I-20 request so the I-20 is not in process when you need to apply for your renewal.