J-1 and F-1 - can I have both?

[roymichaelh 0]

I am planning on leaving South Africa to work in New York at a summer program on a J-1 Visa. A month after that, I want to start studying in the US (I've already been accepted into a university), obviously on an F-1 Visa.

My question: Is it possible to get both visas before I leave for the states at the end of May? I don't want to have to apply for my F-1 Student visa after my summer job, because I will only be left with a month and I don't want to come back to South Africa.

[Harsh_77 718]

You can have both do interview for both J1 and F1 in southAfrica before you leave, but you can use only one visa at a time.

You can only use one visa at a time, someone can correct me if I am wrong, as far as I know you will have to tell at POE wht your purpose of visit is and what visa you will be using.

Same time you cannot say I will be on certain visa until certain date and then I will use other visa as far as I am aware you will have to leave the country and upon re-entry you can use your F1.

[jaycali 415]

You can have two visas, but may only use one at a time. You'll have to leave the country to «switch».

[99jjeerwerc 1]

You can change your status while in the U.S. You wouldn't have to go home and apply for a student visa. You can save some money and time as well.