Travelling in the USA before start of Student Visa
I am doing an exchange semester at a US university this summer. I have a student visa for this however I was hoping to travel for longer than the 30 days allowed by this visa before commencing my studies. I have been told by both the university that I will be attending and by my local US Embassy that I can do this by entering the USA on a visa waiver and then before starting my study crossing into Canada and then returning on my student visa.
However I have been told by US Travel Docs the that this is incorrect and that the only way that I can switch from the visa waiver to the student visa is to return home (NZ) and then fly back which I cannot afford to do.
I've looked at changing my nonimmigrant status but the processing time is supposedly 3 months so that would not work.
I'm seeing a lot of conflicting information here so I'm not sure what to believe. The fact that I've heard one thing from my embassy and also the university (which must deal with this fairly often) but then the opposite from what seems to be the most official source makes me a bit worried.
Is it safe to assume that I'll be able to switch by travelling to Canada or is there way to be sure about this?
Edit: We managed to clarify with the people at US Travel Docs that it is in fact okay to leave on a B2 visa to Canada and then return on the student visa. The requirement to return home was only necessary if a person first enters on a visa waiver.
Best Answer
Yes, visa waiver and then going to Canada to change to Exchange visitor should be possible. Another, and more official, way (but with much more red tape) is for you to apply for a tourist visa. Declare your intention, and make sure the consulate puts an annotation on the visa (I think they usually use "prospective student"). Then once you arrive in the USA, apply for a change of status (with the help of the university). There is a big pitfall here because the change of status can take months to process, and you would not be allowed to start your exchange program until that is approved.
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How early can I enter U.S. with F-1 visa?
You may enter the U.S. in initial F-1 or J-1 status (meaning you are a new international student, not a SEVIS transfer student) up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019.Can I enter the U.S. with less than 6 months on my F-1 visa?
It must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter the U.S. Valid American (United States) F-1 Visa. A valid F-1 visa stamped in your passport. If you need to apply for a new visa, bring proof of financial support and your Form I-20 to the American (U.S.) Consulate or Embassy.Can I enter the U.S. before my j1 visa starts?
Once you have obtained your J-1 visa, you are ready to travel to the U.S. Immigration regulations allow you to enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the start date of your program indicated in Section 3 of your SEVIS Form DS-2019.Can I enter U.S. after I-20 start date?
Entry to the U.S. after the program start date is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Port of Entry Officer at the airport, as well as the USC academic department. In general, a student cannot arrive more than one week after classes start and must be enrolled full-time for that semester.First Time Going to USA as a Student?
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