Can an American tourist visa be converted into an American study visa?

Many students came to the United States through B 1/B2 tourist visas, and they did not intend to study and live in the United States for a long time when they entered the country. Then, can an American tourist visa be converted into an American study visa? Let me give you a detailed introduction.

What's the difference between a tourist visa and a study visa?

American tourist visa (B2 visa)

American tourist visa (B2 visa) is the most common non-immigrant visa in the United States. Many round trips in ten years are issued to applicants who travel to the United States, including sightseeing, medical care, visiting relatives and friends, attending meetings, etc. Visa holders shall not be employed during their stay in the United States.

American student visa (visa F 1)

American student visa refers to the non-immigrant visa issued by the American consulate to foreign students who want to study full-time in American academic institutions. International students are allowed to live as students in the United States, but at the same time, students are required to attend more than 80% of classes in one semester to meet certain credit requirements, and they are not allowed to work in commercial companies, enterprises and organizations in the United States to get paid.

As can be seen here, the B2 visa is a short-stay American tourist visa. At the same time, B2 visa holders are not allowed to work or study full-time in the United States.

F 1 The visa for studying abroad is valid for 5 years, and the residence time in the United States is long. Holders can freely enter and leave the United States within the validity period of the visa; Spouses and minor children can accompany them to the United States; After graduation, you can continue to work in the United States by applying for a work visa, and apply for a green card when appropriate.

How to change a tourist visa into a study visa?

Application conditions:

1, with valid B 1/B2 identity and not expired;

2. legally reside in the United States for 60 days;

3. No illegal employment in the United States;

4. Hold an I-20 form issued by an American school;

I haven't registered in the school.

Application steps:

Identity change needs to be prepared in advance, and it is best to start preparing one month after joining the company.

Step 1: Apply to the school. After being accepted, the school will issue the I-20 form of F- 1 visa.

Step 2: After you get the new I-20, you should submit the identity change materials to the Immigration Bureau at an appropriate time.

Precautions:

If people are in China and definitely want to study in the United States, we usually recommend applying for an American student visa directly in China if all conditions are met. After entering the United States with a student visa, you can enter and leave the country freely within the validity period of the visa as long as you don't interrupt your studies.

In contrast, in the United States, it usually takes three to six months or even longer to change from a tourist visa to a student status. In addition, once you leave the United States, you must apply for a student visa again to re-enter the United States.