International Training

The M-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows foreign students wishing to pursue vocational or non-academic studies, other than language training, to enter into the U.S.

To qualify for an M-1 visa, you must:

• Prove your intention to enter into the U.S. temporarily
• Attend an approved vocational study program
• Engage in a full course of study

On M-1 visa, you may:

• Enter the U.S. as a full time vocational or non-academic student
• Transfer from one school to another
• Travel in and out of the U.S. for short periods of time
• Apply for M-2 visas for dependents accompanying you to the U.S.

On M-1 student visa, you may:

• Transfer from one school to another only with the permission of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Never be permitted to change your course of study
• Take dependents to stay with you in the U.S. but they may not work

Note: Once you are six months into the program of studies, you are prohibited from changing your course of study except under truly exceptional circumstances.

No, you may not work on M-1 visa. However, you may apply for practical training after you complete your studies. If approved, you will be allowed to have one month of practical training for every four months of study you have completed. You will be limited to six months total practical training time.

You may stay in the U.S. on M1 visa for one year, or for as long as you are enrolled as a full-time student in a vocational program plus thirty days to prepare to leave the country, whichever is shorter.

Yes, you may apply for extension of stay on M-1 visa.

To extend your stay you must:

• Complete Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Non-immigrant Status, and send it to USCIS at least 15 (but not more than 60) days before your authorized stay in the U.S. expires.
• Submit your Form I-20I-D to the USCIS at the same time.

While applying, the M-1 visa documents required are:

• A valid passport and any previous passports you have held which are still in your possession
• Fully completed and signed application Form DS-156 and Form DS-158
• Recent passport-size photographs of you taken on a plain white background. Face must be thumb size, full face, without glasses or head covering
• A police certificate issued within the last year if you are 14 years or older
• Original Form I-20M-N issued by the school you will attend, 901 form and acceptance letters
• Electronic verification received at the Embassy from your school that you have been accepted for enrollment
• Evidence of sufficient funds

Note: All male students between 16-45 years must also complete Form DS-157 Supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application.

Yes, you may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the commencement of your study program.

To be eligible to transfer to another school on M-1 visas, you must:

• Currently be a full-time student
• Intend to be a full-time student at the new school
• Prove that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the U.S.
•  Maintain the same educational objective in the new school

Note: You may only transfer to another school within the first six months from the date you were admitted to the U.S. to begin your studies or from the date you changed your non- immigrant status to become an M-1 student.

To transfer schools on M-1 visa, you must:

• File Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Non-immigrant Status, with the USCIS
• Submit your current Form I-20I-D, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant M-1 Student Status
• Submit a complete Form I-20M-N from your new school
• Submit Form I-94, Arrival-Departure documents, of your spouse and children (if applicable)

Note: You may transfer to another school sixty days after filing this application. However, if your application is denied after you transfer, you will be considered to be out of status. This means you may be required to leave the country.

To remain in good M-1 status, you must:

• Pass your course work every semester
• Pay tuition fees on time
• Maintain an international address to which you intend to depart upon completion of studies
• Always maintain the same educational objectives

Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may come with you to the U.S. on M-2 non-immigrant visa.

To bring your dependents on M-2 visa, your dependents must:

• Visit the U.S. embassy or consulate with you when you apply for your M-1 student visa
• Be prepared to prove their relationship with you
• Provide the U.S. embassy staff with a copy of your Form I-20I-D and proof of their relationship with you if they plan to follow you at a later date

No, your spouse and children may not accept employment on derivative M-2 status.

Your M-2 spouse may not engage in full-time study and your M-2 child may only engage in full-time study if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade).

Note: Your M-2 spouse and child may engage in study that is vocational or recreational in nature.

While on M-1 visa you may remain in the U.S. for up to 30 days after the completion of your study program, or in total one year from your date of admission, whichever is shorter. If you wish to remain longer, you will be required to apply for Change of Status from M-1 to B-2 with the USCIS.

You should complete the back of the I-94/I-94W, Arrival-Departure document, and return it to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Vaccinations are no longer required for temporary travel to the U.S. However, if you are intending to study or work, you should contact the school or prospective employer as they may have specific requirements.

The F-1 visa gives you the option to transfer to a university after you have completed your community college studies. On M-1 visa, you study a vocational program for one year and then you must return to your home country. M-1 students are not allowed to continue on to the university level.

The airline or shipping company will give you the I-94/I-94W, Arrival-Departure document, when you check in for your flight or in the case of a cruise, aboard the ship.

Your patience is highly appreciated. According to the latest U.S. Department of State regulations, applications for studies and research in certain academic fields need advisory opinions from Washington. It takes a minimum of four weeks. Once the review is complete, the Consular Section will notify you of the outcome. You may call the Consular Section to check on the status of your case or leave your best phone number of contact. However, it is not possible to adjudicate your case before the review is complete.

No, if you are performing work connected to your studies on M-1 status, you are not subject to Social Security coverage.