Study/Exchange (F/J)

Younger Students

Frequently Asked Questions

...about younger students (elementary through high school)

Because of changes in Korean law to allow the departure of younger students to study overseas, U.S. Embassy Seoul has been receiving an increased number of young student visa (F1) applicants.
 

Are student visa (F1) requirements different for younger students?

All F1 visa applicants, regardless of age, must qualify on his/her own merits and are held to the same requirements.
 

Can children study in the U.S. with a visitor visa (B)?

No, anyone who does anything other than visit, including studying, while in visitor visa (B) status can have the visa revoked. If the visa holder is a child, the parents may be permanently ineligibility for any visa. Please follow this link for information on ineligibilities.
 

What about attending public school in the U.S.?

U.S. law does not allow student visa (F1) holders to study at a public primary (Kindergarten-8th grade) school. Study at a public secondary school (9th-12th grade) with an F1 visa is limited to only one year, and full reimbursement for the total cost of the education must be confirmed ahead of time. Please follow this link for other public school information.
 

Can parents get a visa to live in the U.S. and care for a "young student"?

No, there is no nonimmigrant visa (NIV) category to allow a parent to remain in the U.S. for a period of years to look after a child in school in the U.S.
 

I've been told by a travel agent that for a certain amount of money my child can be guaranteed a visa. Is this true?

No one, including a travel agent or visa broker, can guarantee that a visa will be issued.
 

I'm an American Citizen. How can I guarantee/sponsor my Korean niece to study in an American school?

The restrictions on attending public school apply to relatives of American citizens or foreign children living with Americans. One of the most common misconceptions regarding nonimmigrant visas is that someone can act as a sponsor or offer to guarantee a person's return to their home country. We receive many well-intentioned letters in support of nonimmigrant visa applications. Unfortunately, U.S. immigration law makes no provisions for offers of guarantee or the like. Each applicant must qualify for a visa on his or her own merits. How Can I Help?
 

How long can my child stay in the U.S. on an F1 visa?

The Department of State (DOS) (travel.state.gov) is responsible for visa adjudication at U.S. Embassies and Consulates outside of the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (www.uscis.gov) determines admission into, and conditions of stay in, the U.S. at the post of entry. When you enter the United States on an F1 (or vocational student (M1)) visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your studies, for as long as you are a full time student, even if the F1 or M1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America.

For example, if you have a visa that is valid for five years that will expire on January 1, 2003, and you are admitted into the U.S. for the duration of your studies (often abbreviated as "D/S"), you may stay in the U.S. as long as you are a full time student.

Even if January 1, 2003 passes and your visa expires while in America, you will still be in legal student status. However, if you depart the U.S. with an expired visa, you must qualify for a new F1 visa returning to your studies. An F1 or M1 visa cannot be renewed in the U.S., it must be done at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, preferably in your home country. 
 

 

 

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.

For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov.

The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for qualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.


Updated 2006-08-04