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An M1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for non-academic or vocational studies. The U.S. Department of State issues the visa after being accepted to study at a prospective school.
First, you must apply and get accepted to a Student, and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP) certified school. You must then receive a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-20 form from the school to eventually gain admission into the United States.
What are the benefits of the M1 Visa?
1. You can study and live in the United States.
⦁ M1 visas grant the ability to live and study in the United States.
2. Extensions are possible.
⦁ Extensions can be granted under some circumstances. The maximum amount of time allowed to complete a program is three years. You can extend that time if the following conditions are met:
⦁ You are a bona fide student.
⦁ Educational or medical reasons caused the delay. Academic probation and suspension are not permitted as reasons for an extension.
⦁ You can maintain the status for the period the extension is granted.
3. Immigration benefits for your family
⦁ You are eligible to bring your spouse and minor children into the United States under M2 status. They may not work in the United States.
⦁ Your M2 child may go to any school from kindergarten-12th grade.
⦁ Each M2 dependent needs an issued SEVIS Form I-20 issued by the institution.
4. No annual limit on the number of M1 visas issued.
⦁ It is possible to issue an M1 visa without limitation, unlike many other types of visas.
What are the M1 Visa Requirements?
The M1 Visa has five key requirements:
1. Acceptance at an approved school, which will issue you Form I-20
2. Your intention to depart the U.S. once you complete your course of study
3. Sufficient funds for your financial needs
4. Sufficient preparation for the course of study
5. Maintaining a full course of study
1. Acceptance at an approved school, which will issue you Form I-20
⦁ To qualify for an M1 visa, you must be accepted to a SEVP school. Form I-20 must be filled out properly with all relevant details included.
2. Your intention to depart the U.S. once you complete your course of study
⦁ You must present evidence of your ties to your home country to ensure you will not overstay your Visa.
⦁ You can prove these ties can be shown through leases, property ownership, bank accounts, family ties, and more.
3. Sufficient funds for your financial needs
⦁ You must have enough funding to pay for your tuition and support yourself for the duration of the program since you will not be allowed to work.
⦁ Providing evidence of sufficient funds can be shown through bank statements, investments, dividends, scholarships, grants, and other financial proof of self-sufficiency.
4. Sufficient preparation for the course of study
⦁ You must be qualified to take the courses you wish to complete.
⦁ Qualifications may be demonstrated through standardized test scores, certificates, diplomas, and other evidence of sufficient education.
5. Maintaining a full course of study
⦁ You must maintain a course load of at least twelve semester or quarter hours per academic term at a community or junior college. The key exception is when you do not need twelve semester, trimester, or quarter hours to complete the course of study during the term.
⦁ At alternative institutions that offer associate or other degree programs, you must maintain the full course load required for their program.
⦁ You can request a lower course load if there is a clear medical or psychological reason for doing so
M1 Visa Process
There are several steps toward obtaining an M1 Visa. Here is a summary of the steps, along with a more detailed explanation:
⦁ Apply to the school and obtain the I-20 approval form
⦁ Complete Form DS-160
⦁ Document Gathering for Interview
⦁ Interview
⦁ Presenting self at Port of Entry
Apply to the school and obtain the I-20 approval form
You must receive a SEVIS I-20 form with your full name, basic biographical information, information about the school, a program of study, and expenses to apply for the M1 Visa. Any dependents must also obtain a SEVIS I-20 form.
Apply for the DS-160
You must complete form DS-160 and typically must also upload a picture of yourself. You may also have to pay a visa issuance fee if your visa application is approved.
Document Gathering for Interview
You will need the following documents:
⦁ Proof of payment of your visa application fees
⦁ DS-160 confirmation page
⦁ Passport valid for travel for at least six months
⦁ Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you previously attended
⦁ Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school
⦁ Documents proving your intent to leave the United States upon completion of the course of study
⦁ Proof of funding for all educational, living, and travel expenses
Interview
⦁ A consular officer will decide whether you are eligible for the M1 Visa. You will have your fingerprints scanned at a biometrics appointment, usually a day or two before the interview. The consular officer will inform you if they need additional information or documents. You may pay a visa issuance fee if your Visa is approved.
Presenting self at Port of Entry
⦁ You will go to a Port of Entry (airport, border crossing, etc.) and request permission from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official to enter the United States.
⦁ By presenting your passport, Visa, and Form I-20, the CBP official will determine if you should be allowed entry to the United States.
⦁ They will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
Working on an M1 Visa
If you are on an M1 visa, you are not permitted to work during your studies. After your vocational studies are over, however, you can work full-time in a practical training setting. This means that you can work in a role related to your vocation to gain training in your field after completing your studies.
For every 4 months of study, M students are permitted 1 month of practical training. There is a maximum of 6 months. To do this, you must apply for the Designated School Officer’s permission and a visa extension for the training period.
Transferring Schools with an M1 Visa
If you begin a program at one school in the U.S. and need to transfer to another U.S. program, you may. Keep in mind, though, that M students can transfer only during their first 6 months of a program. After your first 6 months, you can transfer only if you can prove the following:
⦁ You have maintained your non-immigrant status for the previous 6 months.
⦁ You cannot continue at your current school due to circumstances beyond your control.
⦁ You are still capable of supporting yourself financially.
⦁ You plan to be a full-time student at the new school you are transferring to.
Returning Home
For those on an M1 Visa, you have 30 days to depart after the end of your studies. After 30 days, your Visa will no longer be valid. If you stay past the time allotted, you could get into trouble.
Conclusion
The M1 Visa is a special visa that allows you to enter the United States to take courses in vocational studies. You should now have a much stronger understanding of the various aspects of the M1 Visa, including M1 visa benefits, M1 visa requirements, and the M1 visa process.
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