Are fully enrolled F-1 students allowed to attend additional short courses at unaffiliated institutions?

[randomstairs 298]

Provided that a F-1 student fulfills all of the requirements (full enrollment at sponsoring institution, is in-status, etc) are they legally allowed to attend additional short classes or workshops (in their free time) at other, unaffiliated institutions? For example, can a F-1 student take an online course or attend a lecture series that's not affiliated with their university or program (not for credit)? Can they attend a yoga class, a certificate class or a language class in their free time? (Again, this is assuming that all requirements for F-1, such as full enrollment, are already met.)

[Boiler 45,417]

Yes

[randomstairs 298]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Yes

Thanks for the quick answer! Do you by any chance have access to a source confirming this? For example, B1/B2 visitors are NOT allowed to attend short courses or summer courses in the US (with some exceptions). But the F1 visa holders are allowed to do so (without special authorization similar to what they need for work) even if they attend (full-time) a different US university? I couldn't find any legal resources for this. I guess if INA does not specifically restrict such activities, they are legal for F1 visa holders... 

[Boiler 45,417]

Not sure where you got that about visitors. 

[Going through 5,671]

1 hour ago, randomstairs said:

For example, can a F-1 student take an online course or attend a lecture series that's not affiliated with their university or program (not for credit)? Can they attend a yoga class, a certificate class or a language class in their free time? (Again, this is assuming that all requirements for F-1, such as full enrollment, are already met.)

Yes you can.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, randomstairs said:

Thanks for the quick answer! Do you by any chance have access to a source confirming this? For example, B1/B2 visitors are NOT allowed to attend short courses or summer courses in the US (with some exceptions). 

Hm not really. Officially:

 

For short periods of recreational study, a Visitor (B) visa can be used
Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate, is permitted on a visitor (B) visa. Learn more about Visitor Visas.

 

https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study/apply-your-student-visa/short-term

Edited May 4, 2018 by SusieQQQ

[randomstairs 298]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

Not sure where you got that about visitors. 

From websites of universities offering summer courses, but as SussieQQQ explained that's not the case for many types of courses, so I stand corrected. Some universities that offer for-credit courses (even short summer courses) state that F1 students from other US institutions are allowed to take them but not necessarily the B visa holders (visitors). 

 

 Anyways, I am now confident that at least the F1 visa holders who meet all the F1 status requirements can indeed take additional short courses at other US institutions.  Thank you all for answering my question.