Students in Other Immigration Categories

Most immigration categories allow you to attend school as long as you are maintaining your current immigration status. In general, the principal visa holder in H, L, TN status, etc. can only study "incident" to his or her main purpose here. This means that a worker in H, L or TN status, etc. can take a class on the side but the main purpose of being in the United States is to work. Dependents of principal visa holders (H-4, TD, J-2, etc.) may take classes either full or part-time.

*Nonimmigrants in B-1 or B-2 Status
As of April 12, 2002 a nonimmigrant in B status may not attend school until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved his or her application for a change of status to an F or M nonimmigrant student. Enrolling in school before the change of status is approved is a violation of nonimmigrant status.

*Nonimmigrants in F-2 Status
As of January 1, 2003 a nonimmigrant spouse in F-2 status may not engage in full time study and an F-2 child may only engage in full time study if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade.) The F-2 spouse and child may only engage in study that is avocational or recreational in nature. An F-2 desiring to engage in full time study, other than study in an elementary or secondary school must apply for and obtain a change of nonimmigrant classification to F-1, J-1, or M-1 status. Enrolling in school before the change of status is approved is a violation of nonimmigrant status.