Visa Information
Visiting international students should use the following information to determine their immigration status. After determining immigration status, students should refer to the How to Register page for step-by-step instructions on how to register for Summer Term courses at Boston University.
F-1 Student Visa
To study full-time at Boston University during the summer, international students must have an F-1 student visa. Full-time enrollment is defined as registration for a minimum of 8 credits in one summer session or 12 credits for both sessions.
- Students who do not currently have an F-1 student visa can apply for one. In order to do this, you must obtain an I-20 form from Boston University. Please refer to Section A on the How to Register page for information on obtaining an I-20 from BU.
- Students who are currently enrolled at another college/university program on an F-1 visa in spring 2013, and who will continue studying at that same school/university in fall 2013, can study at Boston University on their current F-1 visa. Please refer to Section B on the How to Register page for information on how to enroll. Students in this situation are eligible to study full-time or part-time.
- Current F-1 students whose current I-20s will expire or whose college/university programs will end before enrolling in Summer Term must obtain an I-20 from Boston University for their summer study.
- Students who are currently enrolled in English language, non-degree, or other short-term programs will likely need to enroll full-time to qualify for F-1 student immigration sponsorship and should obtain an I-20 from Boston University.
B-1 and B-2 Visitor Visas
Students may not study under a visitor immigration classification if their main purpose for being in the country is to study at Boston University for the summer. If the main purpose for being in the country is travel or tourism, you may take one course at Boston University during the summer. However, it is recommended that all students study full-time under the F-1 student status. Please refer to Section C on the How to Register page.
Other Visas (For example, J-2, H-1, H-4)
If you are currently in the U.S. in a different non-immigrant category you may be eligible to take courses at Boston University Summer Term depending on your immigration status. Please refer to Section D on the How to Register page for information on how to enroll.
If you have any questions about your immigration status, please contact us - we're happy to help you.