B1/B2 and Canadian Child going to School

[Jmini 1]

Hey Guys! 

 

I am Canadian and will be doing clinical rotations in Texas for the next 1.5 years approximately - visa issued for 6 months at a time.  My daughter (5) is Canadian and will be coming with me. She is currently in Kindergarten. I will be starting end of March. I was wondering what visa she will need to enrol in elementary school. Will I need to contact schools to get an F1 visa for her? Is there any way she can study adjacently off of my B1/B2 (in my research: seems like the answer is no).  Can she only be enrolled in private schools? Or are public schools an option too? How long does that process usually take? Any information would be helpful. Thank you!!! 

[OldUser 7,289]

2 hours ago, Jmini said:

Hey Guys! 

 

I am Canadian and will be doing clinical rotations in Texas for the next 1.5 years approximately - visa issued for 6 months at a time.  My daughter (5) is Canadian and will be coming with me. She is currently in Kindergarten. I will be starting end of March. I was wondering what visa she will need to enrol in elementary school. Will I need to contact schools to get an F1 visa for her? Is there any way she can study adjacently off of my B1/B2 (in my research: seems like the answer is no).  Can she only be enrolled in private schools? Or are public schools an option too? How long does that process usually take? Any information would be helpful. Thank you!!! 

My understanding yes, she needs F-1. Cannot come and stay on B1 for few years.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

I suggest you begin contacting the schools your daughter might attend to determine their admission requirements.  Many public schools will not off F-1 visa sponsorship.

 

Good luck

[Family 4,150]

Here’s complete information from DHS

 

As a Canadian, you have special consideration. Your child won’t need an F-1 , just needs to have an I-20 from chosen school at time of entry…sho she will be admitted as student 

 

 

YOUR GUIDE TO STUDYING IN THE STAT

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/guide/f-1/f-1-kindergarten-through-grade-12

F-1 Kindergarten through Grade 12

 

• As an F-1 student, you may only attend a public high school in the United States and may not attend a U.S. public school in kindergarten through eighth grade. If you attend public high school, you may only do so for a maximum of 12 months and must pay the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of attending in the school district. Payment of this fee must occur before you can apply for your visa. However, F-1 students may attend private K-12 schools at any grade level and regulations place no limit on the length of time you may be enrolled. For more information, please visit the K-12 Students page.
• Apply to an SEVP-Certified School

  Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can accept international students, and SEVP only certifies certain types of K-12 schools:

  • Private K-12 schools, at all grade levels.
  • Public high schools (grade nine–grade 12).

  This means that public primary schools (i.e., kindergarten to grade eight) are not allowed to accept F-1 students. Use the Study in the States School Search page to make sure the school you are interested in attending is SEVP certified. Using the page, you can search by school name, location, education or visa type. Once you find the right school for you, follow the school’s instructions to apply.

• Receive Your Form I-20
  Once accepted into an SEVP-certified school, you will receive a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” from your designated school official (DSO). DSOs work at SEVP-certified schools and are there to help you understand and follow the rules for studying in the United States. It is important

Edited 17 hours ago by Family

[Jmini 1]

Thank you all so much! On doing some research there are only four of private schools in the area we are moving to that are SEVP certified. I'm praying at least one of them will admit her on short notice. Thank you all so much for your assistance!!!!! I truly appreciate it !