Hello, I am a J1 Trainee in the hospitality and my visa will end 02-28-2013. Can I change my visa status to B-2 tourist visa.

What you can or cannot do to change your status depends on large part on whether your J carries a 2-year home return requirement.

"Work and Study" or "Trainee" J-1s like yours are not in any government's "skills" list, and as such, do not carry the 2 year home residency requirement. You can thus try to request a COS to B-2 visitor's visa in the U.S. It is done on Form I-539 and USCIS likes to receive those applications at least 2 months prior to your current status' expiration date. Please understand that COS to B-2 are not easily granted. You must submit a detailed cover letter explaining why you wish to COS, and include substantial supporting documents, such as a detailed itinerary of the the things you need to do and the places/people you intend to visit during those 6 months you'll be requesting, as well as documentary proof of your ability to support yourself financially during your extended stay here in visitor's status. Dont' attempt to undertake all this by yourself, but be smart an hire a competent immigration lawyer in your neck of the woods. You can then be almost assured of success.

It depends firstly on whether you are subject to the two-year home residency requirement. Please click the link below for additional information. --------- Carl Shusterman, Esq. Former INS Trial Attorney (1976-82) Board Certified Immigration Attorney (1986 - Present) Subscribe to our Free Immigration Newsletter 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1550 Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 394-4554 x0 Web: www.shusterman.com (English) www.inmigracion-abogado.com (Spanish)