M-1 Visa Complete Guide

If you are a foreign national interested in pursuing a vocational or non-academic education/training in the United States, the M-1 Visa may be the right fit for you. This visa is not to be confused with the F Visa, which is also a student visa but allows you to enter the United States to attend a university, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, or another academic institution, including a language training program.

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What Are the Types of Student Visas?

There are two main categories of student visas in the United States, the F-1 and M-1:

What is the F-1 Visa?

The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant student visa for students seeking to study in an academic program in the United States.

The requirements to obtain this visa include:

• The program must be an accredited academic educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
• The student’s school needs to be accepted by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Must be enrolled full-time as a student
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language or be enrolled in courses to learn proficiency
• Must have the funds to be financially independent during your studies
• Must not eliminate your residence overseas

What is the M-1 Visa?

The M-1 visa is a nonimmigrant student visa for international students who wish to pursue vocational or non-academic training at a U.S. institution. These programs must be offered by SEVP-certified institutions and lead to a vocational or technical certificate, diploma, or license, not a degree.

Key Information

• M-1 visa holders can stay in the United States for the duration of their vocational or technical program, but they are not allowed to work while they are studying.
• The M-1 can be issued up to 365 days before the start date of your study course, but you can only enter the U.S. within 30 days of the start date.
• Programs must be full-time and lead to a certificate or vocational diploma.

Examples of programs covered by the M-1 visa:

What Are M-1 Visa Eligibility Requirements?

• You must be registered as a full-time student in a vocational or non-academic program
• You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
• You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study
  • Proof of funds for an M-1 can be proved through bank statements, scholarships, sponsor affidavits, or financial guarantees during the visa application and at your visa interview.
• The program must be sanctioned by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP), Immigration & Customs Enforcement
• You must maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up.
• You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study

One important similarity between both visas is that the applicant has to show that they have intentions to return to their home country after their studies are completed.

How to Apply for An M-1 Visa

Step 1: Enroll in an SEVP-Approved Program

• To apply for an M-1 visa, you need to be enrolled in a vocational or non-academic program.
• After you receive your acceptance notice, the school enters your information into SEVIS and issues your Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. This form is required to apply for the M-1 visa.
• Before moving forward, you must pay the SEVIS $330 I-901 fee.

Step 2: Complete the DS-160 Visa Application

• Fill out the Form DS-160, also known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.

• Upload your passport-style photo, following the U.S. State Department guidelines.

• Print the DS-160 confirmation page — you’ll need to bring it to your interview.

Step 3: Schedule and Attend Your Visa Interview

If you’re between the ages of 13 and 80, you must schedule a visa interview at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Check their official website for local instructions and any additional requirements.

Before your interview, be sure to:

• Pay the $185 visa application fee (amount may vary depending on the embassy).

• Prepare your supporting documents (listed below).

What Documents to Bring to an M-1 Interview?

• Form I-20, signed by the official at your study program and yourself (if your spouse and/or children intend to reside with you in the United States while you study, they must obtain individual Form I-20s, but they do not pay the SEVIS fee.) 
• Valid passport (must be still valid six months after your intended date of entry).
• Confirmation page for Form DS-160
• Photos per the State Department’s requirements if you did not upload it when completing the DS-160
• Receipt for the application fee

Additional documents

• Standardized test scores required by your desired program
• Evidence of financial status and your ability to support yourself while in the U.S.

Additional documents may be required. Discuss this with your qualified immigration attorney. If you are asked to bring documents of your academic qualifications, you may consider bringing:

Appointment wait-time tool on this USCIS page.

What Will the M-1 Interview Be Like?

As part of the interview, the consular officer will ask you questions to determine whether you are eligible for the M-1 student visa. Some embassy officers take digital fingerprints during the interview.

Your visa may be issued with an issuance fee, depending on your location. In some cases, there may be a need for additional administrative processing. The officer will inform you if this is the case. To enter the United States, you will need your M-1 visa, passport, and Form I-20.

Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be admitted to the country. Ultimately, this decision rests with the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent. If permitted to enter, the agent will either stamp your passport or give you a Form I-94 (otherwise known as an Arrival/Departure Record).

Grace Period for M-1

There is a 30-day grace period (begins right after your study course is complete and any authorized practical training is completed). This grace period should be used in order to prepare to leave the U.S. and return to your residence overseas OR to apply to transfer to a different institution if that is in your plan.

Moreover, you can also apply to change your status to another non-immigrant visa. Discuss the best suitable option with your immigration attorney.

How to Extend Your I-20 as an M-1 Visa Student

You may be eligible for an extension of stay on an M-1 Visa if you need more time to complete your program.

• These are granted for a cumulative period of up to 3 years (beginning from the original start date on Form I-20 plus the 30-day grace period).
• You must apply for an I-20 extension before your current I-20 expires.
• An M-1 student requesting an extension of stay must provide proof of financial responsibility for the entire extension period.
• An I-20 extension after expiration is typically not allowed, and failing to extend on time could put your immigration status at risk.
• Your Designated School Official (DSO), the staff member authorized by your school to handle SEVIS records, is responsible for reviewing your request and updating your I-20 if the extension is approved.

A DSO will enter the request for an M-1 extension of stay on the student’s record in SEVIS if the DSO confirms that the student has an educational or medical justification for filing an extension.

Important that an extension request must be made at least 60 days, but no later than 15 days, from the M-1 student’s program end date.

Common I-20 Extension Reasons Include:

• Delays due to medical conditions
• Changes in your course load
• Academic circumstances beyond your control.

How Long Does It Take to Extend an I-20?

Once you submit all required documentation, the DSO usually processes the extension within one to two weeks. While there’s no set limit on how many times you can extend your I-20, each extension must be properly justified and approved by your DSO to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.

M-1 students may not be granted an extension if they cannot complete the course within three years after starting.

*Note that an extension request must be made at least 60 days, but no later than 15 days, from the M-1 student’s program end date.

Working in the U.S. on an M-1 Visa

M-1 visa holders are not allowed to work in the U.S. during their studies. However, you can receive work authorization for Practical Training (PT) related to your course after completing your course of study.

• To qualify for PT, your Designated School Official (DSO) must first recommend the training.
• You must apply for work authorization by filing both Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status).
  • This application must be submitted no more than 90 days before your program end date, and you’ll need enough time left in your status to complete the training and leave the U.S. within the required 30-day grace period.
  • If your I-94 shows you already have enough time left in status to finish the training and depart, you might not need to file Form I-539. Either way, your Form I-20 must be endorsed for PT by your DSO.

A few important points:

• The work authorization duration is limited: you can get one month of authorized employment for every 4 months of full-time study, up to a maximum of 6 months.
• USCIS will deny your work authorization if you leave the U.S. while your application is still pending.
• You cannot return to the U.S. just to start PT if it wasn’t approved before your departure.
• Work authorization is granted after USCIS issues your EAD (Employment Authorization Document)—you can’t start working before that.

So while the M-1 visa doesn’t allow ongoing employment during your program, it may offer a short window for practical training after graduation—if all conditions are met and USCIS approves your application.

You can apply for the EAD by filing Form I-765, accompanied by the approval of your designated school official, “no more than 90 days before the program end date”. Employment authorization will be granted for one month for each four months of full-time study completed, not exceeding six months.

Be aware that it is also possible to change your status to other visa options like H-1B or O-1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the topic.

Can I study on a B visa? 

A visitor B visa allows you to enroll in a short recreational course of study (not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate).

Do I have to pay the visa issuance fee if my visa is not approved? 

No, this fee is paid only if your visa is approved.

How long is an M-1 visa valid for?

The M-1 visa permits you to stay in the U.S. for one year, or for as long as you are enrolled in a vocational program, plus thirty days to prepare to leave.

Can I work in the USA with an M-1 visa?

Yes, you can by filing Form I-765 accompanied by the approval of your designated school official, “no more than 90 days before the program end date”.

What is the difference between M-1 and F-1 visa?

The F-1 visa is for students seeking to study in the United States at a University, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory or another academic institution, including a language training program. The M-1 visa is for international students who wish to pursue vocational or non-academic training at a U.S. institution.

How long can an M-1 student stay in the U.S.? 

Those who acquire M-1 status may remain in the United States until they complete their studies, as well as any authorized practical training.

Can i change m1 visa to f1 visa?

According to USCIS, if you are a vocational student (M-1), you may not apply to change your status to an academic student (F-1)

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