- The following immigration classifications are not permitted to study or to lawfully
accept employment while in the U.S.:
- Tourists (individuals admitted in WT / WB or B-1 / B-2 status) are not eligible to study while in the United States, and must obtain F-1 status to study.
- F-2 dependents are not permitted to pursue academic study and must switch to F-1 status.
- The following immigration classifications are permitted to study, but may not lawfully
accept employment while in the U.S.:
- H-4 dependents of H-1 temporary workers
- TD dependents of TN (NAFTA) workers
- The following immigration classifications are permitted to study full or part-time,
and may apply for employment authorization incident to their status:
- Dependents in E-2 or L-2 status
- Dependents in G-4 status
- Dependent spouses in J-2 status
If you are the primary visa holder and your immigration status depends on employment (as a A-1 diplomat, H-1 temporary specialty occupation worker, G-4 international organization employee, etc.), you will need to switch to F-1 or J-1 status if you decide to terminate your employment. Otherwise, in most cases you may study 'incident to status,' as long as you continue to fulfill the terms and obligations or your current immigration status.
| Visa Type | Apply As: |
|---|---|
| A-1, A-2 and Dependents Foreign Diplomatic Personnel |
Domestic Student |
| A-3 Personal Employees of A-1 or A-2 Visa holders |
Domestic Student |
| B-1 Visitor for Business |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| B-2 Visitor for Tourism |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| B-2 Prospective Student or Prospective Scholar |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| Visa Waiver for Business (VWB) and Tourism (VWT) | International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| C-1, C-1D, C-2, C-3 and C-4 Aliens in Transit |
Domestic Student |
| D-1, D-2 Alien Crewman |
Domestic Student |
| E-1 Treaty Trader |
Domestic Student |
| E-2 Treaty Investor |
Domestic Student |
| F-1 Student |
International Student |
| F-2 Dependent of F-1 visa holders |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa. F-1 Students are not eligible to sponsor F-2 dependents for change of status to F-1. Change of status in US can take 3-4 months, change of status in home country is recommended. |
| G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4 Representatives of International Organizations |
Domestic Student |
| G-5 Personal employees of G- 1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa holders. |
Domestic Student |
| H-1B Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation |
Domestic Student |
| H-2A Agricultural Worker |
Domestic Student |
| H-2B Skilled or Unskilled Worker |
Domestic Student |
| H-3 Trainee |
Domestic Student |
| H-4 Dependents of H visa holders | Domestic Student |
| I Representative of Foreign Information Media |
Domestic Student |
| J-1 Exchange Visitor (Student) (Au pair) |
If completing a degree program: International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa. For exchange programs, please contact our International Academic Programs Office. |
| J-2 Dependents of J-1 visa holders |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| K-1 Fiancé (e) of U.S. Citizen K-2 Minor child of K-1 K-3 Spouse of a U.S. citizen (LIFE Act) K-3 Child of K-3 (LIFE Act) |
Domestic Student |
| L-1 Intracompany Transferee L-2 Dependents of L-1 visa holders |
Domestic Student |
| M-1 Vocational Student |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| M-2 Dependents of M-1 visa holders |
International Student; you must switch to F-1 Visa |
| N-8 Parent of alien Classified SK-3 “Special Immigrant” N-9 Child of N-8, SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4 “Special Immigrant” NATO 1-6 NATO Personnel |
Domestic Student |
| O-1 Persons of Extraordinary Ability O-2 Accompanying Personnel |
Domestic Student |
| O-3 Dependents of O-1 and O-2 visa holders |
Domestic Student |
| P-1 Internationally Recognized Athletes or Entertainment Groups and members of their Essential Support Personnel |
Domestic Student |
| P-2 Artist or Entertainer under a Reciprocal Exchange Program |
Domestic Student |
| P-3 Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program |
Domestic Student |
| P-4 Dependents of P-1, P-2 or P-3 visa holders |
Domestic Student |
| Q-1, Q-2, Q-3 International Cultural Exchange Visitor |
Domestic Student |
| R-1 Religious Worker |
Domestic Student |
| R-2 Dependents of R-1 visa holders |
Domestic Student |
| S-5 Informant of criminal organization information S-6 Informant of terrorism information S-7 Dependents of these individuals |
Domestic Student |
| T-1 Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons |
Domestic Student |
| T-2 Spouse of T-1 visa holder |
Domestic Student |
| T-3 Child of T-1 visa holder |
Domestic Student |
| T-4 Parent of T-1 visa holder |
Domestic Student |
| TN (Trade NAFTA) (for citizens of Canada and Mexico) TD Dependents of individuals in TN visa classification |
Domestic Student |
| U-1 Victim of a certain criminal activity U-2 Spouse of U-1 U-3 Child of U-1 U-4 Parent of U-1 if U-1 is under 21 years of age. |
Domestic Student |
| V-1 Spouse of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family based petition (Form I-130) which was filed prior to 12/21/2000 and has been pending for at least 3 years V-2 Child of an LPR as described above V-3 The derivative child of a V-1 or V-2 |
Domestic Student |
| TPS Temporary Protected Status |
Domestic Student |
