India, Oct. 5 -- Indians who enter the US on a temporary visa and later decide to study, work or pursue another permitted purpose may be able to change their nonimmigrant status without leaving the country. But US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says there are strict eligibility requirements, and simply filing a status-change application does not mean the new status has been approved.

The USCIS guidance is particularly relevant for Indian visitors who may change their plans after arriving in America. Someone who enters the US as a tourist, for example, may later decide to pursue studies. In such cases, the person must generally apply to change their nonimmigrant status before their authorized stay expires.

In general, USCIS...