Going to school on a visitor visa is not allowed. This is a violation of the nonimmigrant status. However, a visitor can apply to change status to an academic (F-1) or vocational (M-1) student.
The steps to apply are the following:
- Apply to and receive acceptance from a U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school.
- Obtain an initial Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, from the SEVP-certified school. The Designated School Official (DSO) should give a change of status in the Issue Reason section of Form I-20.
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
- File a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS.
The USCIS has to approve the change in status before the applicant can start attending school. The USCIS will look at applications to change status within 90 days of entry into the U.S. as misrepresentation since the applicant is trying to engage in activities that are not allowed under the nonimmigrant status so soon after entry. So, the visitor is better positioned to get approved if he or she waits longer than 90 days before attempting to change status.
Also, the visitor must understand that if approved, he or she has a student status, not a student visa. If he or she travels outside the U.S., it will mean applying for and hopefully being granted a student visa to come back to the U.S.