- International Students & Scholars
Attending Penn State in non-F1 / J1 Visa Status
Not all international students are in F-1 or J-1 visa status. The information below provides general guidelines on which visa statuses allow study.
You may not need an I-20 or DS-2019 from Penn State if you are in the U.S. on an unexpired visa (not F-1 or J-1) which allows full-time degree study. Important note: You must remain eligible for the other visa status by following the regulations of that status.
If you have any questions, please contact International@psu.edu or ISSA-Adviser@psu.edu. Immigration rules change frequently, and it is important to confirm current rules regarding status and study.
No Study Permitted
B-1, B-2, WB, WT- Individuals in one of these statuses should not begin studies until a change of status to “student” is approved. In restricted circumstances, the individual may study part-time in avocational and recreational subjects.
Incidental Study Permitted
Principal holders of A-1, A-2, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, I, L-1 and those in H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, J-1 (Professor), J-1 (Researcher), J-1 (Short-Term Scholar), J-1 (Specialist), J-1 (Trainee), J-1 (Physician), J-1 Au Pair, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, R-1, TN
Individuals in one of these statuses may engage in incidental study while continuing to maintain valid status. You must continue to do what the current immigration status requires.
Full-Time or Part-Time Study Permitted
Those in A3, H-4, J-2, L-2, M-2, NATO-1-7, O-3, P-4, R-2, TD and Dependents of A-1, A-2, E-1, D-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, I, L-1 Q-1, Q-2, and Q-3. Individuals in one of these statuses may engage in part-time or full-time study as long as the individual continues to maintain valid status. You must continue to do what the current immigration status requires.
Part-Time Study Towards Degree
Individuals in F-2 status can only study part-time towards a degree, (less than 9 credits for undergraduate & law students and less than 6 credits for a graduate student).
You may not need an I-20 or DS-2019 from Penn State if you are in the U.S. on an unexpired visa (not F-1 or J-1) which allows full-time degree study. Important note: You must remain eligible for the other visa status by following the regulations of that status.
If you have any questions, please contact International@psu.edu or ISSA-Adviser@psu.edu. Immigration rules change frequently, and it is important to confirm current rules regarding status and study.
No Study Permitted
B-1, B-2, WB, WT- Individuals in one of these statuses should not begin studies until a change of status to “student” is approved. In restricted circumstances, the individual may study part-time in avocational and recreational subjects.
Incidental Study Permitted
Principal holders of A-1, A-2, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, I, L-1 and those in H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, J-1 (Professor), J-1 (Researcher), J-1 (Short-Term Scholar), J-1 (Specialist), J-1 (Trainee), J-1 (Physician), J-1 Au Pair, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, R-1, TN
Individuals in one of these statuses may engage in incidental study while continuing to maintain valid status. You must continue to do what the current immigration status requires.
Full-Time or Part-Time Study Permitted
Those in A3, H-4, J-2, L-2, M-2, NATO-1-7, O-3, P-4, R-2, TD and Dependents of A-1, A-2, E-1, D-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, I, L-1 Q-1, Q-2, and Q-3. Individuals in one of these statuses may engage in part-time or full-time study as long as the individual continues to maintain valid status. You must continue to do what the current immigration status requires.
Part-Time Study Towards Degree
Individuals in F-2 status can only study part-time towards a degree, (less than 9 credits for undergraduate & law students and less than 6 credits for a graduate student).
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