A foreign citizen wishing to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose is considered a nonimmigrant. Foreign citizens wishing to visit the United States for vacation or other temporary reasons must obtain a nonimmigrant visa. There are several temporary nonimmigrant visas available to travelers. If you are a nonimmigrant, and wish to request an extension of stay, or to change from one nonimmigrant category to another, you can apply for a change in visa status. An application is required to change visa status from one category to another. You may be eligible for a change in visa status as long as you meet a few requirements. You must have lawfully entered the United States with a nonimmigrant visa, your visa must still be valid, and you must not have committed any crime or act that would make you ineligible for a new visa. Different types of nonimmigrant visas require different forms, so it is important to check with the USCIS to determine which form you need to complete, and which office you need to submit it to.