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Admission of Foreign Nationals to Public Schools

Missouri school districts periodically admit students participating in foreign exchange programs. These requests will fall into two categories: persons traveling under visitor visas and students pursing full-time academic or vocational studies. The following information addresses this issue and includes material from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) relating to admission of those students into this country.

Foreign Exchange Student Visas

There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons participating in exchange visitor programs. The "J" visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. The "Q" visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).

The "J" exchange visitor program is designed to "promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and science" and may include students at all academic levels. Participants must establish that they have sufficient funds to cover all expenses, or funds must be provided by a sponsoring organization in the form of a scholarship or other stipend. They must also have sufficient scholastic preparation to participate in the designated program. This includes knowledge of the English language, unless the exchange program is designed to accommodate non-English speaking participants.

In the case of a public school district, the school must follow its policy on admission of non-resident students. Such admission is strictly at the discretion of the school district. There are no state or federal laws guaranteeing a foreign student's access to public school districts. Districts may elect not to participate in such programs, or they may limit the number of students admitted.

Academic/Vocational Student Visas

Students who are not part of a foreign exchange program but who come to the United States to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies are usually included in one of two nonimmigrant categories. The F-1 category includes students in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, other academic institutions, and in language training. F-1 students are prohibited from attending public elementary schools and publicly funded adult education programs in the United States. The M-1 category includes vocational students. Students seeking admission under these visas must meet the following criteria:

  • The student must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
  • The student must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
  • The student must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
  • The student must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
  • The student must maintain a residence abroad that he/she has no intention of giving up.

In order to begin the process of seeking admission to the United States as a student, the applicant first must apply and be admitted to study at an BCIS-approved school.  Under BCIS regulations, public school districts are approved Institutions for foreign exchange students.  Admission is based on the policies of the educational program. As with visitor exchange programs, the school must follow its policy on admission of non-resident students. Such admission is strictly at the discretion of the school district. There are no state or federal laws guaranteeing a foreign student's access to public school districts. Districts may elect not to participate in such programs, or they may limit the number of students admitted.

Students in the F-1 category wishing to attend a public high school (grades 9-12) in the United States must submit evidence that the local school district has been reimbursed in advance for the unsubsidized per capita cost of the education. Also, attendance at U.S. public high schools cannot exceed a total of 12 months.

If accepted, students must provide the school BCIS Form I-20 A-B/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students). Along with the BCIS Form I-20, students must prove to immigration officials that they have the financial resources required for their stay in the United States.

For More Information

The BCIS web site provides detailed information on this process, as well as providing examples of the forms needed to complete the process:

Exchange student information

Academic/vocational student information

The Council on Students for International Educational Travel (CSIET) annually publishes an advisory list of reputable high school-level exchange student programs.  Visit the CSIET website

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