<p>Hello I'm a international student that has been living in America for 10 years with a non-immigration visa, soon to graduate HS in about a year. I'm wondering if I should switch to a immigration visa (ie. family visa) so that I can get AB 540. But I'm also worried about the requirements for the AB 540, and the way to change my visa. </p>
<p>So I have a few questions that I need answered and I'd be grateful if you guys can answer them.</p>
<p>1) If I want to change my visa do I need to leave the US than come back
2) If I leave (temporarily) than come back, will I not be eligible for the AB 540?
3) About how much does a family visa cost for one person.</p>
<p>Thank you please help</p>
<p>Under no circumstances should you take immigration advice from strangers on the Internet. Consult an attorney or a group that works regularly with immigrants in a similar situation (in my city, a Latino community center has INS trained volunteers).</p>
<p>Here is the text about who qualifies from [The</a> New Partnership Foundation Scholarly Research on Undocumented Students; Information for AB540 Students, Families and Advisors](<a href=“ab540.com”>http://ab540.com/) :</p>
<p>Have attended a California high school for 3 or more full academic years (between grades 9 through 12. They do not need to be consecutive years);
Have or will graduate from a California high school or have attained a G.E.D.; or received a passing mark on the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE);
Register or be currently enrolled at an accredited institution of public higher education in
California;
File or plan to file an affidavit as required by individual institutions, stating that he/she will apply for legal residency as soon as possible;
Not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, E, etc.)</p>
<p>It looks like this law is designed specifically to protect undocumented students. If you have a valid non-immigrant visa at present, how would you propose to un-document yourself? An immigrant visa is one that will get you a green card as soon as your paperwork gets taken care of. If you are still a minor, the only way you would get an immigrant visa would be if your parents managed to get one. That they haven’t yet, despite being in the US for so many years makes me believe that they have some barriers remaining in the transition to green card status.</p>
<p>For advice specific to your situation, you really need to sit down with your parents’ immigration lawyer. You may need to convert the visa that you currently have to an F1 in order to be able to attend college/university in the US.</p>
<p>hmm i see thank you; i did consult with a lot of people, both lawyers, counselors, and friends with similar situations. Just wanted to know some other opinions thank you.</p>
<p>Your immigration lawyer really is the person to answer your questions.</p>
<p>You family has been here for 10 years but does not have permanent resident status yet? Why is that?</p>