I am enrolled in for credit courses or two non-credit courses occurring the same week.

You are required to obtain I-20 documentation from Brown University.  This documentation will be used to obtain a F1 Visa from the United States government.

Students must remain full-time for their entire duration here at Brown University.  Brown University Summer Session or the Pre-Baccalaureate Program requires the student to be enrolled in 6 credits (two courses).  Students who are attending non-credit courses on a F1 Visa must be enrolled in more than 18 hours per week.

I am enrolled in only one non-credit course per week.

You are considered part time and must enter the country in B1/B2 status or using the Visa Waiver Program.

Immigration rules allow visitors on a tourist visa (B-2 or visa waiver program (VWT)), who are coming to the U.S. primarily for tourism to take a short course of study which is not for credit and is less than 18 hours per week.  A consular officer will determine the visa that may be appropriate based on the purpose of a visitor’s travel and supporting documentation.

Brown University does not provide formal supporting documentation to enable students to acquire a tourist visa.  Your acceptance letter to our programs can serve as proof of initial visit.

IMPORTANT: If your enrollment is full-time - meets in excess of 18 hours per week - do not enter the U.S. as a tourist (e.g. B-2 or visa waiver program). If you enter the country in the wrong status, you may be detained at the point of entry or risk future entry attempts into the country.