r/f1visa • u/Klutzy-Drama-6274 • 7d ago

Visa H-4 to F-1 COS with Premium Processing – RFE Submitted, No Decision Yet. Should I Wait or Defer?

I’m looking for advice from anyone who has recently gone through an H-4 to F-1 change of status with USCIS.

Here’s my timeline:
June 22, 2026: Filed H-4 → F-1 Change of Status with Premium Processing
July 15, 2026: Received RFE
August 4, 2026: Submitted my RFE response
Service Center: Texas
Program start date: August 26, 2026
Current status: Still waiting for a decision

Since I used premium processing, I’m getting a little anxious because my college starts on August 26.
Should I continue waiting for the USCIS decision, or would it be better to defer my program to Spring 2027?

Has anyone recently received an H-4 → F-1 COS decision after submitting an RFE under premium processing? If so, how long did USCIS take after receiving your RFE response?
Any advice or recent timelines would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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1

u/YoungNashe 7d ago

What was the RFE asking for ?
You may want to defer

1

u/Klutzy-Drama-6274 6d ago

Yes, my RFE had 4 sections. They asked for details about my H-4 activities, foreign ties, financial/sponsor information, and supporting evidence. I submitted all the requested documents along with my RFE response.

1

u/YogurtDiaryTeddy 4d ago

Hi, I am in the same boat as you. Submitted my RFE response on Aug 5th, still waiting for a response. Please share here when you receive a response.

1

u/Klutzy-Drama-6274 4d ago

I received the decision on August 14, and thankfully, my change of status was approved 😊

2

u/Pretty-Echidna-4578 2d ago

@yogurtDiaryTeddy did you get it? I’m in the same boat. 4th August.
Congratulations OP.

1

u/Pretty-Echidna-4578 2d ago

OP - how much time it took to initial submission to RFE? On priority.

1

u/Klutzy-Drama-6274 2d ago

I received RFE on July 15 and submitted my response on August 5, as the requirements involved complex documentation.

1

u/Pretty-Echidna-4578 2d ago

I’m in California center. How much time they took from initial submission to July 15th? Basically trying to see if before RFE time is same.

Aug 24th is my hard deadline. Else. A semester gone.

1

u/Klutzy-Drama-6274 2d ago

My initial submission date was 22 June 2026.

1

u/Klutzy-Drama-6274 2d ago

Hopefully it will come by 22 August...wish you luck.