Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
#1
Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
Hi all,
We moved from London to New Jersey last year, with a little help along the way from people on this site - so thank you!
I have another question now - my wife, who is on an L-1A, has been accepted on to an MFA program that she plans to take while continuing on her 40-hour/week full-time managerial role. The problem that we've discovered is that although the course is low-residency, it is technically considered 'full time' - and it is not an incidental course because it will eventually result in the issuing of a Masters degree if she passes.
Can my wife pursue this course without putting her L-1A status (and my L-2) under threat? Reading various other immigration forums I'm getting distinctly mixed messages. Any help you folks can provide would be much appreciated!
We moved from London to New Jersey last year, with a little help along the way from people on this site - so thank you!
I have another question now - my wife, who is on an L-1A, has been accepted on to an MFA program that she plans to take while continuing on her 40-hour/week full-time managerial role. The problem that we've discovered is that although the course is low-residency, it is technically considered 'full time' - and it is not an incidental course because it will eventually result in the issuing of a Masters degree if she passes.
Can my wife pursue this course without putting her L-1A status (and my L-2) under threat? Reading various other immigration forums I'm getting distinctly mixed messages. Any help you folks can provide would be much appreciated!
#2
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
I don't know the answer, but I'm curious, what is a "low-residency course"?
Rene
Rene
#3
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
Why would you think it would be a problem in the first place?
What sort of mixed messages?
I'm also unclear how your wife can do a full time course if she's working?
Just curious....
What sort of mixed messages?
I'm also unclear how your wife can do a full time course if she's working?
Just curious....
#4
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,156
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
An auxilary nonimmigration question may be "what will her employer think of their high-investment employee taking on full-time study"? I know people who have worked and studied, both full-time; it is rarely the pathway to optimal results on both fronts.
#6
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
Yes but how does that work....does studying full time not involve going to classes during the day when you're working?
Last edited by Hotscot; Feb 16th 2019 at 3:20 pm.
#7
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
"Low residency" = mostly on-line. It is quite common to offer a "full time" MBA that is a mixture of evenings, weekends, and occasional weeks here and there resident on campus. I have seen such courses marketed as an "executive MBA", and gets you an MBA in under two years, so the same as a traditional "full time" MBA.
Last edited by Pulaski; Feb 16th 2019 at 3:24 pm.
#8
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
Apologies for the lack of response. We've since found it's fine, according to ICE's own website (and also legal advice): https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf...an%20Study.pdf
That's a fair enough question to ask. The company offer study-help programs and actively encouraged my wife to take this course alongside her study, including providing letters of recommendation.
As others have said, 'low-residency' means that hardly any on-campus time is required. I think for her course it's two weeks, which she'll take as PTO from her work.
As others have said, 'low-residency' means that hardly any on-campus time is required. I think for her course it's two weeks, which she'll take as PTO from her work.
#9
Re: Taking low-residency study while on an L-1A visa and working full-time
Actually, it doesn't. I worked a 9-5 job M thru F and went to college at night full time. It was hard and I didn't graduate at the top of my class but had a respectable 3.25 average when I was granted my degree.