I'm a high school junior considering moving to the US with my family. If I get a J-2 visa, will I be able to enroll in a high school or college in the US? Any restrictions or requirements?
Yes, J-2 visa holders, who are dependents of J-1 visa holders, are allowed to study in the United States. The J-2 visa allows you to attend academic institutions at any level which includes high school, college, graduate schools, etc.
There are no special permissions required for studying at high school, but for attending a college, you may need to comply with applicable admissions procedures and requirements of the institution you're interested in.
However, while studying, be aware that maintaining your visa status is contingent on the J-1 visa holder keeping their status intact. If the main J-1 visa holder loses their status or returns home, the J-2 visa status would also be affected.
Do note, that most schools will require foreign students to have their overseas high school academic credentials and transcripts evaluated by an accredited institution to determine their equivalency with U.S. academic credentials. Also, proficiency in English is often required for international students, and this is typically demonstrated by scores from standardized tests like the TOEFL or IELTS.
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