Can a foreigner study in the United States only with a tourist visa?

Question

I am interested in learning if a foreigner could come to the United States on a tourist visa and study? Or, is it absolutely necessary they have a Student Visa? Thank you

Answer 1

Can... NO, you cannot study on B1/B2 visa. You should have F1 or M Visa to study.

Is is absolutely... Yes, you must have F1 or M1, otherwise, the school won't let you enroll.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/...

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/...

Answer 2

no, you must apply for a student visa

Answer 3

u need a student visa

Answer 4

A student visa is the proper visa for a person coming to the U.S. to study. If your primary purpose in coming to the U.S. is to study, you need a student visa.

Tourism may include taking a short course for your own amusement, like learning how to swim or some arts and crafts course.

The legal definition of visitor is "an alien (other than one coming for the purpose of study or of performing skilled or unskilled labor or as a representative of foreign press, radio, film, or other foreign information media coming to engage in such vocation) having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of abandoning and who is visiting the United States temporarily for business or temporarily for pleasure;"

Answer 5

No, you must have a student visa.

Answer 6

It may be possible to change status from B1/B2 to F1 student, if you are first accepted as a student, issued an I-20 and registered in SEVIS and then apply to USCIS to change status. But you would need to do that while you are still in status on the tourist visa and it could still be turned down. Of course even if you applied as a student back home,there's no guarantee that you'll be approved.