The M1 visa is for students who want to enroll in vocational studies in the United States such as cooking classes, technical courses, mechanical classes, flight school, cosmetology.
M1 Visa Requirements
To be allowed to apply for an M1 visa and to qualify for it, these requirements must be met:
- Be accepted at an SEVP institution. The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has a list of vocational and non-degree bearing institutions where M1 students are accepted.
- Have high English proficiency. English proficiency can be proved by taking a standardized English proficiency test such as the TOEFL or the IELTS.
- Prove strong ties to your home country. Students are supposed to go back to your home country after completing the education.
- Be able to finance your education and stay in the United States. The I-20 form contains an estimate of the expenses for one year, so you should submit financial documents that prove you have that amount readily available.
Supporting Documents for a M1 Visa Application
You should collect the following documents when applying for an M1 visa:
- A valid passport for 6 more months after the expiration of your visa.
- Your DS-160 confirmation page.
- Your visa appointment letter.
- One US Visa photograph.
- Receipts that prove you have paid your fees.
- Your original I-20 form and one copy.
- Proof of your educational qualifications such as:
- Degrees and diplomas.
- Transcripts.
- Standardized test scores, etc.
- Proof of your financial stability, such as:
- Bank statements for the last 3 years.
- Tax information for the last 3 years.
- Loans to finance your stay in the US (if applicable).
- Scholarship for your education in the US, provide all relevant information (if applicable).
- If you will be supported by an individual in the US, submit Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and the person’s bank and tax return information for the last 3 years.
- Proof of intent to return to your home country.
- Property deeds.
- Apartment lease.
- A foreign address.
- Family ties.
How to Apply for an M1 Visa?
These are the necessary steps you should take to apply an M1 visa:
Step 1: Get your I-20 Form
After you are accepted into the vocational school of your choice, they will give you the I-20 form. With that form, you can initiate the application process.
Step 2: Submit DS-160 form online
Your DS-160 form is the first form that you have to submit online. You should fill in all the necessary information which are relevant to your background, objectives in the US, and your program of study. At the end when you submit the form, you will get a confirmation code and page which you will need later on for the interview and document file.
Step 3: Pay the visa application fee
The visa application fee for the M1 visa is $185. Besides this fee, there might be additional fees depending on the Embassy that you are applying in. Keep the receipts which prove you have paid all fees.
Step 4: Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
Since all international students in the US are registered in SEVIS, there is also a fee which needs to be paid. The SEVIS I-901 fee for the M1 visa is $200. You should pay and keep the receipt as you will need it later.
Step 5: Schedule your interview
After you schedule the interview, you will get your interview appointment letter which you need to attach to your documents file.
Step 6: Compile your document file
Your document file should be completed with all necessary forms. You should have it with you when you go to your visa appointment.
Step 7: Attend your interview
he M1 visa interview questions will revolve around your intentions for going to the US, your financial situation, and the ties to your home country. Have all of your documents ready and be prepared to answer the interview questions. TIf you are bringing dependents, such as a spouse or children, you will also be asked to prove the relationship to them.
What Can I do With an M1 Visa?
| Can do | Cannot do |
|---|---|
| Complete vocational studies full-time. | Work full-time off-campus. |
| Obtain an associate or another type of degree. | Complete their programs as part-time students. |
| Get a driver’s license. | Change their program or transfer institutions after six months of starting. |
| Open a bank account. | Continue higher education in the US (e.g., Bachelor’s degree). |
| Transfer schools within the first six months of the program. | |
| Access healthcare services. | |
| Work in specific authorized circumstances. |
What is The Difference Between the M1 Visa and the F1 Visa?
In contrast to M1 visa, the F1 visa allows students to enroll in academic and degree bearing education, such as a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree. They also give the freedom to students to transfer to any school at any time as well as work on practical training outside of campus. Students with an F-1 visa can also enroll in language courses, while M1 students cannot.
M1 Visa Processing Time
You should expect a processing time of a minimum of four weeks. The processing happens before your visa interview. There are cases when you get a response immediately after your visa interview ends, with the interviewer either congratulating you or stating the reasons for your denial.
How Long Can I Stay in the US With an M1 Visa?
The validity of your visa depends on how long your vocational education takes. You might be given a visa for the total duration of your studies, or for a shorter time. However, your Form I-20 is only valid for one year. This means you will have to get a new one each year. The M1 visa and the Form I-20 can be extended for a maximum of 3 years.
If your visa is not valid for the whole duration of your studies, you will have to apply for an extension. You can do so by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS and your Form I-20.
Can I Change my Status to Another US Visa?
You are allowed to change your status to another non-immigrant visa except for the F1 visa. However, there are difficulties in changing to an H-1B visa if you will be working with skills you have gained during your studies as an M1 student.
Am I Allowed to Work in the United States With an M1 Visa?
The M1 visa allows some employment with restrictions. You are only allowed to work on campus, part time when school is open and full time during breaks. The maximum amount of time you are allowed to work is 6 months. To be allowed to work, you will need to get your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
You can do so by filing Form I-538, Certification by Designated School to USCIS. The form needs to be signed by your Designed School Official (DSO). In addition, you should also file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. All the work that you do if your EAD is approved should be related to your field of study.
Can I Bring Dependents?
If the M1 visa holder has a spouse or unmarried children under 21, they are allowed to accompany them with an M2 visa for the duration of their studies. The M2 dependents get individual I-20 forms, but as soon as the M1 visa expires, they are also required to return to their home country.
M2 dependents are not allowed to work or study for degrees. They can enroll in recreational courses, and children can only complete their elementary and middle school (until 12th grade).