Good luck! There's never any way of knowing for sure that you're guaranteed the border control will let you in to any country, but is sounds like you're doing everything the right way and hopefully you should be fine. I would personally understand "for credit" as meaning that you obtain credits for a diploma or a degree of academic kind. Whereas the way I understand you, you're not obtaining any credits by taking the bar prep course, the only result you'll be getting is hopefully passing the bar - and that's not a credit. But that's just my own opinion, I haven't researched it.
Can I take the NY Bar with a tourist visa ?
Posted Apr 22, 2016 16:33
Posted Apr 22, 2016 16:55
I agree, I personally think you're doing things the right way. I took an exam prep course from the same company that does one of the bar exam prep courses and those don't count for credit because they are not accredited educational institutions, it's a private company and that's the service they provide and, as an international student, those institutions don't even provide means to come to the US to do them.
Posted Apr 22, 2016 17:50
I agree, I personally think you're doing things the right way. I took an exam prep course from the same company that does one of the bar exam prep courses and those don't count for credit because they are not accredited educational institutions, it's a private company and that's the service they provide and, as an international student, those institutions don't even provide means to come to the US to do them.
Thanks. Did you get any grilling at the border? Did you say "I'm here for a training course"?
Thanks. Did you get any grilling at the border? Did you say "I'm here for a training course"?
Posted Apr 22, 2016 22:16
I told them I was coming for a few months for a SAT prep course. It was a long time ago but I don't remember them making any major setbacks.
What I do remember is that we over-prepared so this is kind of a bunch of documents we sent to prove I didn't plan to stay there (translated to law school and bar things):
- proof of funds for the course and housing, receipts and bank statements to show you can cover it
- a lease or something that shows that you are only staying at your place for a certain amount of time
- If you have one, have your return ticket ready
- Any receipt or confirmation from the state bar that you've applied for admission and if you already registered that would work too
- And, lastly, the magic potion, ties to anywhere but there - if you need the bar for a job abroad, a study programme, and an employer or someone can write a letter explaining that would reassure them a lot
Again, I over prepared and we didn't need to show anything other than the return ticket. Then again, this was 2008 and I was 19. I don't know if/how things change(d).
What I do remember is that we over-prepared so this is kind of a bunch of documents we sent to prove I didn't plan to stay there (translated to law school and bar things):
- proof of funds for the course and housing, receipts and bank statements to show you can cover it
- a lease or something that shows that you are only staying at your place for a certain amount of time
- If you have one, have your return ticket ready
- Any receipt or confirmation from the state bar that you've applied for admission and if you already registered that would work too
- And, lastly, the magic potion, ties to anywhere but there - if you need the bar for a job abroad, a study programme, and an employer or someone can write a letter explaining that would reassure them a lot
Again, I over prepared and we didn't need to show anything other than the return ticket. Then again, this was 2008 and I was 19. I don't know if/how things change(d).
Posted Apr 25, 2016 19:25
Any course which does not count towards getting a degree is a non-credit course. That's the official description and the Barbri course will very much be non-credit.
Whether you use a B1/B2 visa or ESTA for your travel you'll still have to tell the CBP officer the purpose of your visit. If it were me I'd just volunteer 'Bar Exam' at first with details of Barbri, etc. only if probed. Giving all this info at one go can overload the CBP folks sometimes.
Whether you use a B1/B2 visa or ESTA for your travel you'll still have to tell the CBP officer the purpose of your visit. If it were me I'd just volunteer 'Bar Exam' at first with details of Barbri, etc. only if probed. Giving all this info at one go can overload the CBP folks sometimes.
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