[connie523]

Hi! I am an internatioanl student with F-1 visa; I just started my first quarter in master program this fall 2008, but I also just found I got pregnant this month and the baby will due in April 2009. After discussing with my husband, we are now thinking to change my status from F-1 to F-2 as a dependent of my husband. (He is studying in a Ph.D program, but we study in the different state). I plan to finish my study after two years when my baby gets older.
I have some questions and I would like to ask you guys. Please help me!

1) Usually, how long does it take to change status from F-1 to F-2 without leaving US? I heard it's about 2-3months, is that true? Will it take longer than that since it's around the corner of December?

2) Both my husband and I maintained a good F-1 status in the US, we're never out-of-status or have any bad record in school; and we both maintain an over 3.8 GPA, will my case likely to be approved successfully? Or, will it be too risky to change status in the US no matter what?

3) Is "having a baby" a good reason to state in the statement? It's the main reason we want to apply for the change of status, so I won't have too much difficulty in studying. But will immigration hold a negative attitude to internationals who have baby in the US and think it's an intention to immigrat to the U.S.

4) My next quarter starts at Jan. 10 2009; if I don't hear immigration by the end of this year, I should still keep studying and register class to maintain my F-1 status, right? But if my case get approved around Feb 2009, can I stop attending class as long as the status has changed to F-2?

5) the last question; after my baby is borned, I will go back to my home country to visit my grand-parents and apply F-2 visa there, will I have any trouble of applying F-2 in my country because of changing status? ( I heard someone got denied when applying for F-1 visa in his home country only because he changed his status from B-1/B-2(visitors visa) to F-1 while in the US). Will F-1/F-2 be the same case?

I know the easiest way is to fly back to my country and get a new F-2 visa, but it's really difficult for me to take a long fly back to my country at this time...

Please help me with your advice, I really appreciate your help.
thank you very much!! =)))

[lawanwadee]

You can apply for change of status to F-2, plus your husband will have to submit financial evidence that you have sufficient fund to cover both plus medical expenses, etc.