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Tourist/Business Visa Information

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Tourist/Business Visa Information

Individuals who enter the U.S. for the purpose of Business (B-1 Visa) or Pleasure (B-2 Visa) need to be aware of the following regulations:

• Individuals holding B-1/B-2 status are not allowed to take courses in the U.S.
• Individuals holding B-1/B-2 visa status are not eligible to apply for a change in visa status to an F-1 student visa unless their Form I-94 has been annotated by an inspecting U.S. officer that the individual is a "prospective student". Individuals in this category will not be allowed to begin a program of study until they have obtained approved F-1 student status.
• Individuals entering the U.S. on B-1/B-2 with the intent of pursuing a program of study in the U.S. must inform the U.S. Inspection Officer of their intent to study and provide all I-20’s issued by admitting institutions. Request that the Officer write a notation on Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) that the individual is a "prospective student". Individuals in this category will not be allowed to begin a program of study until they have obtained approved F-1 status.
• Canadian citizens who enter the U.S. for the purpose of business or pleasure and who intend to remain in the U.S. to pursue a program of study, must inform the U.S. Inspection Officer of their intent to study and provide all I-20’s issued by admitting institutions. Request that the Officer issues a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and writes a notation on the I-94 that individual is a "prospective student." Individuals in this category will not be allowed to begin a program of study until they have obtained approved F-1 status.
• Individuals entering the U.S. for the purpose of business or pleasure will be limited in terms of the length of time they will be allowed to stay. U.S. Inspection will determine the length of time allowed based on what is "fair and reasonable for the completion of the purpose of the visit." Individuals should provide documentation when possible that verifies the purpose of their visit and the time period desired/needed for their stay in the U.S.
• A B-1 or B-2 visa holder may file an extension request with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) if the extension is needed as a result of an unexpected event (i.e., an event that occurs that is out of the individual’s control and that prevents the individual from departing the U.S.) or a compelling humanitarian reason such as emergency or continuing medical treatment. An extension application must include: evidence documenting the need for the extension, evidence of financial resources to continue the temporary stay, and documentary evidence that the applicant is maintaining an unrelinquished residence abroad.