Hi all,
I'm a Canadian Citizen and I just received an offer of admission to complete my Masters at an American university for September 2016 start. This is a program/school where student housing is limited, so I'm thinking ahead to finding a place to rent.
The university is located in a very tight rental market since there are several universities in the city. I'm worried about the timelines for activating F-1 (30 days before program start) and finding suitable housing. I'm wondering if it is possible to enter on a B-2 to conduct an apartment search beforehand, but I can't seem to figure out if A) this must be done before the F-1 issuance, or B) if there is a possibility of entering on a B-2 after the F-1 has been granted, but before the 30 days prior to September start date.
Here are my questions/observations:
1) After the I-20/F-1 are issued, it is my understanding that I can only enter the US 30 days before the program starts. Can I enter on a B-2 before applying for F-1 to do an apartment search (and sign a lease for September 2016).
2) As a Canadian, I do not have to apply for a B-2 before travel. Assuming I have been issued the F-1, is it possible to enter the US on a B-2 visa to go search for apartments in advance of the 30 day F-1 activation/entry period?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'm a Canadian Citizen and I just received an offer of admission to complete my Masters at an American university for September 2016 start. This is a program/school where student housing is limited, so I'm thinking ahead to finding a place to rent.
The university is located in a very tight rental market since there are several universities in the city. I'm worried about the timelines for activating F-1 (30 days before program start) and finding suitable housing. I'm wondering if it is possible to enter on a B-2 to conduct an apartment search beforehand, but I can't seem to figure out if A) this must be done before the F-1 issuance, or B) if there is a possibility of entering on a B-2 after the F-1 has been granted, but before the 30 days prior to September start date.
Here are my questions/observations:
1) After the I-20/F-1 are issued, it is my understanding that I can only enter the US 30 days before the program starts. Can I enter on a B-2 before applying for F-1 to do an apartment search (and sign a lease for September 2016).
2) As a Canadian, I do not have to apply for a B-2 before travel. Assuming I have been issued the F-1, is it possible to enter the US on a B-2 visa to go search for apartments in advance of the 30 day F-1 activation/entry period?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.