hi all, i wanted to see if anyone knows if canadian citizens in the u.s. on k-1 visas are able to enrol in college classes. i've looked up the info regarding study permits and found out that canadians do not need one. they just need to apply to the school, be able to show that they have the funds required for one full year of full-time studies, and have a place to stay. it doesn't mention anything as to what the rules are if the canadian citizen is already present in the country on a valid visa. we won't have enough money right away to send my fiancé for full time studies, but i was hoping that he would be able to take 1 or 2 classes a week, or some online courses while waiting for his work authorization. otherwise, he'll probably be dying of boredom for 6 or 7 months. another option i was thinking about if this is not possible, is that maybe if the port of entry we use issues temporary work authorizations, that would make him eligible for part-time studies?? any ideas? thanks in advance!

While I didn't register for full time classes, I am taking, through Continuing Education, Spanish classes. I did however have to have a SSN. I applied for that right away when I moved down here before marriage. It's sure been helpful since it seems like everything requires this number. Anyway, when I called to register for classes, that was the key thing, did I have a number. Then I was able to register.

Again, this was for part time classes, so maybe asking about full time might be key. As well, it might differ from state or city to city! You don't need EAD to attend school. EAD is for work authorization. While school SEEMS like work (hehe), meaning you have to work hard in your studies, you're not reimbursed financially, so in essence, you're not employed. I'm taking classes and volunteering. It sure helps keep me busy!

I'm in St. Louis, MO. I didn't apply for EAD either. I have my AOS interview 21st of August, which is 4 months from the date I sent my AOS application to Chicago. As well, I have read on a few other posts that you can't receive student financial aid when applying for schooling here either. Best check all of that out as well, but I do remember someone posting this in another forum.

Hope this helps

Carla

Canadians don't need Visas to come to the US and study? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure they need to come in on an F-1.

Since she has come on an K-1 I guess the process may be different. Getting an SSN would definitely help.

I'm sorry...I was presuming the OP was meaning after receiving their K-1 and moving to the US...prior to working. That's how I read it anyway. We better wait until we get clarification!

Carla

Yes I'm not too sure what the OP was talking about either.

I think the OP is talking about the timeframe after he enters the States on a K1, but prior to receiving the EAD.

I actually read somewhere that Canadians (who are visiting) don't need a visa to study as long as they are going to leave before the 6 months are up but if they are going to study for longer than that then they need a visa. I wish I'd known that before because I could have studied while visiting when my friends were at work. lol

Oh well. I'll see if I can dig up where I found that info... don't anyone take my word on it just yet



I was wondering about this exact same thing because I'm considering studying if we're legally able to do it (better than having nothing to do, since we can't work, lol!) Thanks for posting this question!

Check with the individual school. They all have different requirements on who they'll admit and on what visa type (or none at all).

Melyssa, I'm not sure how true that may be because you have to enroll into a school, and would need some sort of documentation (like an SSN) to enroll. Plus if you were only going for one semester and taking classes, what would you get out of that as far as putting them towards a degree? I mean usually you need some type of transcript to enroll in a school and be accepted. It doesn't really seem you can walk right into a school and just enroll. You have to go through an application process.

But what misa said is the best advice. Call the school and ask what their requirements are as far as education and as far as status.

that is correct, carla. it'll give my fiancé something to do instead of sitting around the house for 6 or 7 months
i didn't know that he would be able to apply for an ssn before receiving work authorization, so that's good news. how did you do it? just take your visa down to the social security office?
thanks everybody for your input!!

SSN Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

melyssa, here is a quick link from the montreal consulate website detailing the basics:
http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/co...cument=canadian
i can't remember where i read the in-depth stuff about studying. all i remember is that you must first apply to the school, get approved by them and i think at that time, they send paperwork to sevis to register you. then, sevis contacts you, gets an $100 registration fee and sends you documentation which you use to enter the u.s. your registration is valid for one year. it has to be full-time studies, though, and you must be able to prove you have all funds for one complete year of school.
but, i don't know if it would work any differently, since you are already in the u.s.
hope that link helps a bit!

ahh that is interesting to note. I didn't know you could do that. Just so you know though, school fees in the US do tend to be three to five times higher than what they are in Canada depending on what kind of institution you want to attend. If he wants to take full time college courses, hes going to have to go through the same kind of application process any college student does first. They will have to review his transcripts, etc, etc.

Also, they do issue temp work visas (although i dont know if you would want to call a TN a temp necessarily) as the border like a TN visa, but you have to be qualified in a certain area of expertise to obtain one. Also, if you have already applied for a K-1 and everything, I don't know if you can even apply for a TN.

Thanks! Yes, I believe that is where I read the information I alluded to in my previous post.

Actually I'm not in the U.S. yet... I'm still waiting for my interview with Montreal!

so if one wanted to transfer courses already taken in Canada (York U.).. and finish up in the States.. I should do that from here or could I also do that from Virginia sometime next year..?

(FT or PT classes in a Degreed Program)
- BSc Psych to be specific

Glad we got that cleared up! haha
See misa's link. Going to the SSN office about 1 week to 10 days after arriving should get the ball rolling. Then while waiting for EAD you can register for a class or something. I don't know if you're talking a full time class in a degreed program or not...for that you might need transcripts and such, but for taking something to bide your time, just your SSN is needed.

Carla

I'm going to guess, just because my husband and all my friends here in the US are college grads so I know a thing or two, that it would be VERY hard for them to transfer your canadian courses over. A lot of schools down here are stringy with that even when you change colleges within the same state (my husband did that and college took him 5 years instead of 4) All you can do is get your transcripts from York and call Virginia tech or where ever you wanna go to college, and ask them. They aren't going to be able to do anything until they see your transcript though.

The university I work probably has very different policies, since we're on the border and even have Canadian commuter students and our university doesn't charge them different tuition than Michigan residents. Also, I'm quite certain that they will transfer credits from a Canadian institution quite easily. Down in Virginia, hard to say, but seeing as it's a medical field you are in, I would reckon that the courses would transfer quite easily.

As a Canadian citizen, though, I know I too have read SOMEWHERE, that all you need is an acceptance letter and an I-20 from the US school. A SSN is NOT needed to attend university, I don't believe, but, as other's have said, you can get that in about two weeks after you're "in the system." A SSN is only *supposed* to be used for just that, your Social Security. You may have to jump through extra hoops if you don't want to provide one, or have one to provide, but it can be done. I didn't want to provide it to my gas company once, and they didn't even know what to do.

And I suppose to get the acceptance letter, I have to apply with my transcript?

Hmm, can I just give them some of the classes?

Had a bad year. Found out my mom has a brain tumour and some other health issues...

Cuz I talked to an advisor and she said I could technically "start fresh" in the US by transferring only the courses I wanted....

Which college are you looking to go, Liz? I bet you can always go to their website and contact an advisor through there. From my experience in talking to an advisor at the Art Institutes in Philly, an advisor called me up and was able to tell me whether my credits could be transferred over or not.

Hope things work out for the best with your mom. *hug*

Hey liz, sorry to hear about your mum.

But even I had to get my transcripts to take just one course at the university of waterloo to finish my degree from Carleton. I looked into some colleges here and maybe transferring, and they all said that after I gave them my transcript with my application, they would decide then if my credits are transferable.

But call the school as was said...they will know exactly what you need to do.

My husband was going to school here in NJ (Rutgers to be exact) in psych. When he decided to transfer to Stockton College in South Jersey, half of his psych credits didn't transfer, even though it was the same program, so it took him 2 extra semesters.

Call though! and good luck!

Virginia Commonwealth University..

just wrote an email to their advising dept.. =)

It's confusing. You either need to be an F-1, or have an SSN there is no other way really. I've looked into it before.

K1s can get an SSN between the period of 2 weeks after entry and 2 weeks before their I-94 expires.

In southern california due to the massive illegal immigration gas, electric, telephone and internet services will simply take a large "deposit" to set up services. My wife setup most, but when I set up electric it cost me $125 in deposits.

Can get around most things without an SSN but in my experience in my area they won't let you attend school without one.

I was under the impression (reading the US consulate website in Vancouver) that Canadian citizens don't need a visa to study in the United States, but I guess it's different once you enter on a K1?

Well once you are an F-1 your status changes. Since you can get an SSN, like misa said, why not get one and apply!