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International Students

• Prospective Students
  • How to Apply to Penn State
  • Attending Penn State in Other Visa Status
  • Coming to Penn State from Another U.S. Institution
  • Pre–Arrival Guide for New International Students
  • Prospective Student Advising
• Orientation/Housing
  • New International Student Orientation
  • Housing Information
• Current Students
  • Maintaining Immigration Status
  • Employment Information
  • Social Security Information
  • Travel
  • Tax Information
  • PA Driver's License/State I.D.
  • Dependents/Family Members
  • Address Updates
  • Current Student Advising
• How to Request I-20/DS-2019
• Obtaining Student Visa
• Financial Information
• Forms
• IECP Forms
• Student Workshops/Training Sessions
• Student Resources at Penn State
• International Student Programming & Activities
• Programs Supporting International Students
• Contacts at Non-University Park Campuses
• FAQs
• Other Important Links:
• Global Connections
• International Scholar Advising
• Office of Post Doctoral Affairs
• International Student Advising Home

 

Attending PSU in Other Visa Status

At Penn State any student who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident is classified as an international student. However, not all international students are in F-1 or J-1 status and the information below may provide some general guidelines on which visa statuses allow study.

All newly admitted international students are required to complete the International Student Visa Documentation process in order to receive visa-eligibility documentation (I-20/DS-2019) and/or clearance to enroll at Penn State.

Please note that dependent children must change to their own status when they become 21 years of age.

B-1, B-2, F-2, WB, WT:

May not begin studies until change of status to student is approved. There is currently conflicting information on whether an F-2 may begin study after change of status application is submitted or after change of status is approved.

Principal holders of A-1, A-2, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, I, L-1 and Those in H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, J-1 (Professor), J-1 (Researcher), J-1 (Specialist), J-1 (Trainee), J-1 (Physician), J-1 Au Pair, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, R-1, TN:

May engage in incidental study while continuing to maintain valid status (in other words, continuing to do what the immigration status requires).

Those in A3, H-4, J-2, L-2, M-2, NATO-1-7, O-3, P-4, R-2, TD and Dependents of A-1, A-2, E-1, D-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, I, L-1 Q-1, Q-2, and Q-3:

May engage in part- or full-time study