Private secondary schools recognized by the Ministry of Land, Immigration and Concession, the national education administrative department, can issue F- 1 I-20 forms for studying abroad for personal reasons to international students. Students with F- 1 visa can study in grades 9- 12 of American high schools at will until graduation.

Public secondary schools

In principle, American public middle schools can't help international students to apply for F- 1 visas, but can only apply for J- 1 visas for international students applying for exchange programs (usually within one year). Federal regulations stipulate that public secondary schools can only accept exchange students for one year.

The special situation in Connecticut

Connecticut allows public secondary schools to issue I-20 forms for applying for F- 1 visas to international students. However, there is a sequela. Students who apply for visas in China to return to China are basically refused visas by the visa officer of the consulate, because this violates the federal government's F- 1 rule that applicants cannot attend public secondary schools.