Effective July 20, 2021, USCIS has eliminated its prior policy that had required applicants applying to change their status to F-1 student to file "bridge" applications while their change of status (COS) to F-1 applications were pending. Note that only change of status to F-1 is covered by the new policy; it does not apply to those seeking M-1 or J-1 status.
A July 20, 2021 news release states:
"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (COS) to F-1 student to apply to change or extend their nonimmigrant status while their initial F-1 COS application is pending.
Under the previous policy, applicants needed to maintain status up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their Form I-20, Certificate for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which required them to file extensions, or an initial COS and subsequent extensions ensuring that they would not have a “gap” in status.
To prevent a “gap” in status, USCIS will grant the change of status to F-1 effective the day we approve an applicant’s Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. If we approve an application more than 30 days before the student’s program start date, the student must ensure they do not violate their F-1 status during that time. An example of a violation would be engaging in employment, including on-campus employment, more than 30 days before the program start date as listed on their Form I-20.
The new policy will reduce workloads and costs for both the applicants and USCIS. USCIS is in the process of revising the Form I-539 instructions to reflect these changes.
For more information, see the policy alert (PDF, 318.8 KB) and the Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status page."
The new policy has been codified in a new section of the USCIS Policy Manual, at Volume 2: Nonimmigrants, Part F, Students (F, M), Chapter 8, Change of Status [2 USCIS PM-F.8].