Do I need a student Visa??

[Liltiggster 0]

I am currently in progress for a K1 Visa... I am going down to visit my fiancee for a month or two and wanted to take a course at a community college on photography, but it is a non-credit course. Would I be able to take this or do I have to have a visa even if it is a non-credit course?

[Darnell 8,478]

great question for the admissions office .... (policies vary, by state and college)

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Agreed, each institution and each state will have a different policy regarding international students. Call the admin office and ask

Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

If its a non credit course something like continuing education, then you dont need a F1.

As they dont issue you and I-20 for those, on wht visa r u travelling?

You said your K1 is in progress.

[Hendea3 4]

she's Canadian...ie no Visa required if staying less than 6 months BUT OP make sure you have strong ties to prove you are coming back so you don't get denied entry.

[rh4stc 0]

To obtain a student F1 visa, you must take at least 12 credits per semester.

[theTokyoGirl 0]

Hi, there are a couple of points.

As a Canadian citizen, you do not need F1 visa to enter the U.S. although you do need I-20 from the college. For example, Columbia University does require Canadian to get I-20.

However, you have to be a full-time student to request I-20, so you most likely end up B1, which only allow you to stay a short period, to study part-time. (I have actually done it during summer.) You may not mind quitting a course in the middle, but an officer at the border might ask you the reason of your visit especially if you are applying for K1. Then, you have to show your course duration so that you can prove that you are not going to overstay. If you are going to take a full-semester course, you will be in a difficult situation.

Moreover, from the beginning, you should not have an intention to immigrate while on B1, and you clearly have the intention because you are applying to K1, which is an immigrant visa. U.S. immigration ask you about the intention on the form I-94 and at the border. They have the record of your visit to the U.S., and they will ask you about your visit at the interview for K1 and later Green Card. If THEY thought that you lied about the intention to enter the U.S., you will be in a difficult situation again.

If I were you, I do not go to the U.S. until I get K1.

Call embassy and explain your situation. I found that they are actually helpful.

I hope that this is helpful.

No Professional Advise. No Accuracy Guarantee.

Edited August 24, 2010 by theTokyoGirl

[Liltiggster 0]

Hi, there are a couple of points.

As a Canadian citizen, you do not need F1 visa to enter the U.S. although you do need I-20 from the college. For example, Columbia University does require Canadian to get I-20.

However, you have to be a full-time student to request I-20, so you most likely end up B1, which only allow you to stay a short period, to study part-time. (I have actually done it during summer.) You may not mind quitting a course in the middle, but an officer at the border might ask you the reason of your visit especially if you are applying for K1. Then, you have to show your course duration so that you can prove that you are not going to overstay. If you are going to take a full-semester course, you will be in a difficult situation.

Moreover, from the beginning, you should not have an intention to immigrate while on B1, and you clearly have the intention because you are applying to K1, which is an immigrant visa. U.S. immigration ask you about the intention on the form I-94 and at the border. They have the record of your visit to the U.S., and they will ask you about your visit at the interview for K1 and later Green Card. If THEY thought that you lied about the intention to enter the U.S., you will be in a difficult situation again.

If I were you, I do not go to the U.S. until I get K1.

Call embassy and explain your situation. I found that they are actually helpful.

I hope that this is helpful.

No Professional Advise. No Accuracy Guarantee.

The course is at Pima Community College and 1 is only 2 days and the other one is 3 days there not full semesters or anything like that. I emailed the college but haven't heard anything back yet, I would be entering on a visitors visa, and I have ties to Canada and have visited before while the K1 is in progress, I don't have intent to immigrate? I am waiting for my Visa to be approved, we wouldn't have spent all this money and time so far if we weren't going to do things the legal way, I have a complete copy of what we sent that in and I bring it to prove we are doing things the legal way. I know there is always a chance I would be denied a visitors entry. And I won't take the course if I am not allowed I just couldn't see the school giving out those forms for something that is only a 1 or 2 day course, I think there is one the longest one is 4 classes. And I have always come back when I said I have, I will have my return tickets, my bank statements showing I have more than enough money to pay for myself when I am on my visit, and the main reason for my visit is to visit my fiancee and then just while I am there I want to take a couple of these photography courses.

[Hendea3 4]

Personally I don't see an issue. I too visit (2-3 weekends per month). Although I have never attended a class to date I do not seeing photography class to be an issue its not like you are doing a full semester. I do plan on taking dance classes in teh near future and never thought twice about it.

[Harsh_77 718]

Like I mentioned earlier it is considered as cont. Edu class and no I-20 would be issued and since you dont have I-20 you cannot apply for F1.

Just enter US without intention to immigrate, spend time with your fiance take your class and return back until your K1 process is complete and you should be fine.

Just cross your finger that officer at POE got his coffee in the morning ...

[Liltiggster 0]

Like I mentioned earlier it is considered as cont. Edu class and no I-20 would be issued and since you dont have I-20 you cannot apply for F1.

Just enter US without intention to immigrate, spend time with your fiance take your class and return back until your K1 process is complete and you should be fine.

Just cross your finger that officer at POE got his coffee in the morning ...

LOL Hope timmies was good to them, I always go at like 4am in the morning so I am the first person in line and *knock on wood* I have never been given a hard time so far, I figure they have a lot more patience with the first few people in line then the 50th when they are starting to get irritated.

[Darnell 8,478]

phone rates from canada to usa are really cheap these days (or can buy international calling card) - strongly suggest you make a phone call into Pima College today.