Visa J-1

[graduate33]

Hi all,

 

Have any international students ever arrived in the US (with a tourist visa or no visa) well before the 30 days grace period (before the start of your program), then left the US to go to Canada, Bahamas or Mexico to re-entry and thus activate your visa J-1?

 

Thanks

Edited June 3, 2013 by graduate33

[Arcanen]

Yes, there's no issue with doing it assuming you can get a tourist visa or visa waiver for your time. When I studied abroad in the US a few years ago I did a semester on a F-1, did a week in Canada, and then reentered the US for another semester at a different university under a J-1.

[DeleteMePlease]

Yes, if you don't study for credit or work for money during that time you can just do a visa waiver as Arcanen already hinted.