The question is in the title! I'm having a flight connection in JFK later this year. I'm not a citizen of the US but I do have a F1 student visa, that hasn't expired when I travel. Can I use that instead of the ESTA even if my visit isn't about studying? Thank you!!

You are not clear what you are doing. Transferring to where? and if someone here says yes but the answer is no, do you think that will help you in the long run?

Not the best place to ask a VERY important question. Why not try asking the American embassy where you live?

My understanding is that you have an F-1 visa, but wish to travel in the U.S. in a manner unrelated to your study. Here's info that's going to be a LOT more official than any answer you might get here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/vis...e/student.html

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/mai...ng-your-status

It appears you can NOT enter the U.S. -- let alone travel through -- more than 30 days before the start of your studies. In addition, you must depart from the U.S. within 60 days of the end of your studies. Thus, I would NOT recommend attempting to use a student visa for anything but getting to your school and studying while there. In other words, the student visa is for STUDY, not for visitation.

It is, of course, ridiculous that the US requires a visa for passengers who are only in transit, but since they do, why don't you just use ESTA? It is not that difficult, right? If you are not entering as a student you can't use a student visa.

Perhaps the OP isn;t eligible for ESTA - depends on nationality.

Since the OP wrote:

"Can I use that instead of the ESTA "

why would it occur to you that she is not eligible for ESTA?

>>"Can I use that instead of the ESTA "
why would it occur to you that she is not eligible for ESTA?

No doubt because she already has the other visa and didn't want to bother.

I'll take your word for it.

The ESTA process takes only a few minutes online and costs I think $14. If one were eligible why fool around with a student visa when you are not entering as student?

Because you are entering as a student at a different time. She says the visa won't have expired, implying previous use.