Visa Classifications Chart
The condensed chart below is provided for information purposes only. Decisions about study or employment in the U.S. should be discussed with an International Office Advisor, immigration lawyer or Department of Homeland Security.
For more information also see: Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?
Note: Foreign Nationals who are U.S. Permanent Residents, on approved Refugee or Asylum status can study in the United States without any restrictions.
| Visa Type/Status | Classification | Study Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| A-1/A-2 | Diplomat | May engage in incidental study while maintaining valid A-1 or A-2 status |
| A-1/A-2 | Dependent of Diplomat | May engage in part or full-time study. |
| A-3 | Employee of Diplomat and their dependents | May engage in incidental study while maintaining valid A-3 status. |
| B-1 | Visitor for temporary business | May not begin any “course of study” (neither full-time nor part-time) unless USCIS approves change of status to F, M or J student. Casual short-term classes, that are not the primary purpose of the alien’s presence in the United States, such as a single English language or craft, would not constitute a “course of study” |
| B-2 | Visitor for pleasure, tourism | Same restrictions as B-1 |
| WB/WT | Waiver Business/Waiver Tourist | Same restrictions as B-1 |
| C-1, C-2 & C-3 | Transit Visa | No study allowed |
| D-1 & D-2 | Crewman Visa | No study allowed |
| E-1, E-2 & E-3 | Treaty Trader, Treaty Investor | Principal E-1 or E-2 may engage in incidental study while maintaining an E status. Dependent of E nonimmigrant may engage in part or full-time study. |
| F-1 | Student | Must maintain full-time enrollment as defined by academic institution; part-time study, is only permitted with approval of Designated School Official (DSO) in accordance with regulations. |
| F-2 | Dependent of Student | F-2 spouses may not engage in full-time study; F-2 children may only engage in full-time study at the K-12 level. Part-time study that is vocational or recreational is permitted. F-2 dependents may not begin a “course of study” until a change to F-1, M-1, or J-1 status is approved. |
| G-1, G-2,G-3 & G-4 | International Organization – Representatives and their dependents. | Principal G nonimmigrant may engage in incidental study while maintaining G status. G dependents may engage in part or full-time study. |
| G-5 | Personal employees of G visa holders and their family. | May engage in incidental study while maintaining G-5 status. |
| H-1B, H-1C | Temporary Workers | May engage in incidental study while maintaining H-1 status. |
| H-2A, B | Temporary Seasonal Workers | May engage in incidental study while maintaining H-2 status. |
| H-3 | Trainee with United States company. | May engage in incidental study while maintaining H-3 status. |
| H-4 | Dependent of H visa holder. | May engage in full or part-time study. |
| I Visa | Journalist / Media | Principal I nonimmigrant may engage in incidental study while maintaining I visa status. Dependents are permitted to engage in part or full-time study. |
| J-1 Student | Exchange Visitor - Student | Must maintain full-time enrollment. May reduce course load below full-time only if authorized in advance and in writing by Responsible Officer of designated program sponsor, in accordance with DOS regulations. |
| J-1 Professor, Researcher, Specialist, Trainee or Alien Physician | Exchange Visitor - Scholar | May engage in incidental study while maintaining J-1 status. |
| J-1 Au-Pair | Exchange Visitor – Au-Pair | May enroll in “postsecondary intuitions” while maintaining J-1 status as an au pair, as required by J au pair regulations. |
| J-2 | Dependent of J-1 | May engage in full or part time study. |
| L-1 | Intra-company Transfer | May engage in incidental study while maintaining L-1 status |
| L-2 | Dependent of L-1 | May engage in full or part time study |
| M-1 | Vocational or Technical student. | Must study full-time; part-time study only if authorized by Designed School Official (DSO). |
| M-2 | Dependent of M-1 | May engage in full or part-time study. |
| NATO 1-7 | NATO workers, staff and family | May engage in part or full time study |
| O-1 | Aliens with Extraordinary ability | May engage in incidental study while maintaining O-1 status. |
| O-2 | Accompanying worker of an O-1 | May engage in incidental study while maintaining O-1 status. |
| O-3 | Dependent of O visa holder. | May engage in part or full time study. |
| P-1 | Athlete internationally recognized | May engage in incidental study while maintaining P-1 status. |
| P-2 | Artists or Entertainers | May engage in incidental study while maintaining P-2 status. |
| P-3 | Aliens providing essential support to P1 and P2 visa holders | May engage in incidental study while maintaining P-3 status. |
| P-4 | Dependent of P visa holder | May engage in part or full time study. |
| Q-1, Q-2 & Q-3 | Cultural Exchange Visitors | Principal Q visa holders may engage in incidental study. Dependents may engage in full or part-time study. |
| R-1 | Religious Worker | May engage in incidental study while maintaining R-1 status. |
| R-2 | Dependent of R-1 | May engage in part or full time study. |
| TN | NAFTA – Employee from Canada or Mexico on TN status. | May engage in incidental study while maintaining TN status. |
| TD | Dependent of TN status. | May engage in part or full-time study. |