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US visa planning for a China passport: 15 hours per week for 40 weeks

Choose your passport country, class hours and course length to see the guidance for your course.

Showing guidance for a China passport holder considering 15 class hours per week for 40 weeks.

  1. 1

    A passport from a Visa Waiver Program country does not establish personal eligibility. Other entry routes and nationality exceptions also exist.

  2. 2

    United States

    This directory lists US programs only. Other countries have different rules. Compare country guidance

  3. 3
    15hours per weekCourse hours

    Get the actual instructional hours from the school. Fewer hours do not automatically make a course recreational or permit study as a visitor.

  4. 4
Individual review needed

Extended language study: confirm the student route

A 40-week English program is extended study. Ask the school whether it can issue an I-20 for this course and confirm the appropriate F-1 process. A B-2 visitor visa is not an automatic alternative; the short recreational-study exception should not be assumed for a planned language program.

  • Ask the school whether this specific course requires F-1 status and a Form I-20.
  • Confirm your purpose of travel, course credit and immigration circumstances with the relevant consulate before paying or booking.
  • Check the entry requirements for your nationality and circumstances. This grouping cannot determine that you need a B-2 visa.
  • Check visa and admission requirements for your passport and circumstances without applying the VWP 90-day rule.
Browse programsF-1 student visa guide

If this is a short recreational course during tourism, also read the US visitor-study guide. Ask the school about this exact course with the school email template; use the document checklist before applying.

Email me this checklist

Select or calculate your information, then enter your email.

This tool is general guidance based on published rules, not legal advice. Always confirm with the school and relevant embassy or consulate before booking travel.

Sources checked 2026-09-29: Department of State student guidance / Visitor visa guidance

Browse example passport, hours and duration combinations

More China planning examples

Compare other class-hour and course-length combinations. These examples organize questions to confirm; they do not determine personal eligibility.