Is there a student visa requirement to come in and study ESL?

Question

Or can you go to school while on a tourist visa? Most people get three months when entering on a tourist visa, is there an impediment to enroll in school to study the english language then, if your classes are going to end before the three months and you leave when your three months are up?

Answer 1

If your friend is coming to the U.S. *primarily* for tourism and wishes to take a short course of study, of less then 18 hours per week then they may be able to do so on a B2 visitor visa but they should inquire at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If their course of study is more than 18 hours per week then an F1 student visa is required.

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

Depending what country you are coming from and what country you wish to study ESL in.

You can probably do it on a tourist visa.

Answer 4

There are some aspects of a visitor's visa that would allow you to do a very limited amount of studying, but that cannot be the purpose for your visit.  A visitor's visa is for visiting, not studying.

Play it safe.  Avoid getting sent back by Immigration and Customs.  Apply to a school.  Get an I-20.  Get an F-1 visa.  With all that, you won't have to worry about what will happen when you try to enter the country.

Out of curiosity, why are you looking to study the English language?  Your question is put together better than the majority of native speakers' questions I've read.