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US visa planning for a China passport: 20 hours per week for 8 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 20 class hours per week for 8 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
    20hours 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

Language program or recreational course? Confirm first

For 8 weeks of English classes, ask whether the actual course is language training requiring F-1 status. Visitor travel may permit only short recreational, non-credit study incidental to tourism; class hours and course length alone do not settle that distinction.

  • 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.
  • Ask the designated school official whether this schedule meets the full-course requirements for your program. Do not reduce hours to try to qualify as a visitor.
  • Check the entry requirements for your nationality and circumstances. This grouping cannot determine that you need a B-2 visa.
  • If the course requires F-1, ask the school about its SEVP-certified campus and Form I-20.

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.

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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