What is a nonimmigrant who engages in a "change of status"?

A nonimmigrant who engages in a "change of status" refers to an individual applying to switch from one nonimmigrant visa category to another while remaining in the United States. This process allows the individual to change their purpose of stay without having to leave the country.

For example, a student visa holder might apply for a change of status to become a worker by transitioning to an employment-based visa. This process is essential for those who wish to adapt their immigration status to fit new circumstances, such as a job offer or a new educational opportunity.

The other options describe different situations or processes. For instance, switching from a tourist visa to a work visa abroad does not involve changing status while in the U.S. but rather requires leaving the country to apply for a new visa. Similarly, adjusting from a nonimmigrant to a permanent resident is a different legal procedure—an adjustment of status rather than merely a change of it. Lastly, an individual leaving the U.S. briefly typically does not pertain to a change of status either; this may involve re-entering under the same or a new visa but does not change the current nonimmigrant status while residing in the U.S.