AlexMBAApply wrote:
They don't need an immigration visa to enter the country as a tourist, but they still need an F-1 student visa to matriculate as a full-time student (just like Canadians need an H1 or TN visa to work full-time), and that takes a few months to process.
I've been doing some research on this as I'm Canadian and will matriculate at a school in the US. Also talked with some current students, as well as some school international offices.
To clarify - one needs a F-1 Student Status to matriculate, and it can be obtained at the border when you enter.
The difference is that Canadians don't need the F-1 Visa, "Visa" meaning "Key" to enter the country. You show up at the border crossing, make sure you have your I-20 and ALL related documentation, just as if you would apply formally for a F-1 visa. You get interviewed on the spot, you get a I-94 with F-1 status written/stamped on it. Think of the visa of a pre-approval/pre-clearance to enter.
https://www.columbia.edu/cu/isso/visa/F-1/index.htmlThe above website is one of the best resources on the matter I've seen yet. The US Consulate in Canada's website is a bit confusing as they don't explain it well enough, but they do say that Canadian's don't need a Visa
https://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/canadians.asp.
So yes, in general, schools want internationals to apply earlier due to visa processing, but Canadians are a special situation (citizens of Bermuda also) of the (current as of today) US immigration rules. So a Round 3 application is possible.