per 170

Hi!
I am thinking of applying for a one year student visa, but I´m worried I wont have the time to manage a full course load. Is it possible to drop courses after having been issued a student visa, or will this be reported to the immigration authorities?

Bob

if you don't have enough credit hours, yes it will.

md95065

Assuming that you are on an F-1 visa you need to have sufficient classes to be considered a full time student - if you drop below that level then you have a problem because you will be out of status and the school will have to report that.

Depending on what classes you are taking and how important they are to you it may be possible, if the workload is too great, to do some triage and expend minimal effort on one of your classes rather than actually dropping it - ie turn in just enough work so that the instructor doesn't drop you from the class (which, in some cases, may mean that you can do absolutely nothing) and just expect to fail it. (I know that this is really quite difficult to do if you are accustomed to working hard in your studies and trying to do well, but it may be the most practical option available to you)

Or you could consider taking a slightly different combination of classes - there are usually some very "easy" classes available that will actually give you credit for very little effort. Of course that may not give you all of the classes that you need academically but it is worth considering. Actually registering for an extra "easy" class at the outset could mean that you would still have sufficient credits to be full time if you had to drop one of the more demanding classes.

sudha

When I was a student, I was able to get an exception for the first semester to take 2 courses (6 credit hours) instead of the required 3 courses (9 credit hours). This was just because it was my first semester and the international student advisor was little easier to work with. So, it can be done, but not for too long, and not necessarily every ISA will agree for it. Also this was a Masters program that I have done so.

scrubbedexpat099

I think the OP is looking at it as an option to a B2 he could not get.

meauxna

Yeah, the idea seems pretty contradictory.. I want to come to the US to study, but I might not have time to go to school?

per 170

I know it sounds unusual, but my case is a bit special. I have to take additional online courses at a european university, and this has to be my top priority, (since my employer are paying for those). I may be able to pull it off, but if I don´t I´ll have to drop one or more of the American courses.

ian-mstm

This is irrelevant as far as US immigration is concerned.


Then you'll lose your F-1 status and will become immediately removable. Your choice - European courses or US courses. Biting off more than you can chew is often a losing proposition no matter what happens. Make a decision... then live with it.

Ian

per 170

Thanx for all the advice! I´ll have to give it some thought.