§ 1258. Change of nonimmigrant classification
(a)
The Secretary of Homeland Security may, under such conditions as he may prescribe, authorize a change from any nonimmigrant classification to any other nonimmigrant classification in the case of any alien lawfully admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant who is continuing to maintain that status and who is not inadmissible under section
1182
(a)(9)(B)(i) of this title (or whose inadmissibility under such section is waived under section
1182
(a)(9)(B)(v) of this title), except (subject to subsection (b) of this section) in the case of—
(1)
an alien classified as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (C), (D), (K), or (S) of section
1101
(a)(15) of this title,
(2)
an alien classified as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (J) of section
1101
(a)(15) of this title who came to the United States or acquired such classification in order to receive graduate medical education or training,
(3)
an alien (other than an alien described in paragraph (2)) classified as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (J) of section
1101
(a)(15) of this title who is subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement of section
1182
(e) of this title and has not received a waiver thereof, unless such alien applies to have the alien’s classification changed from classification under subparagraph (J) of section
1101
(a)(15) of this title to a classification under subparagraph (A) or (G) of such section, and
(b)
The exceptions specified in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a change of nonimmigrant classification to that of a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (T) or (U) of section
1101
(a)(15) of this title.