US M-1 Student Visa

The M-1 Student Visa is for full-time students attending non-academic or technical institutions in the United States. Since the M1 has no upper limit, any student who meets the requirements will be issued a visa without any limitations on the number of people who will accompany them.

However, you must follow such conditions in terms of documentation, such as visa images, application forms, processing time, and so on. Read this article to learn more about the M1 Student Visa in the United States.

What is a US M-1 Student Visa?

The M1 visa is for students who choose to study in the United States for a vocational degree. Vocational studies include technical courses, mechanical or cooking classes, flight school, cosmetology and hairdressing, as well as business and healthcare.

US M1 Student Visa Allowed Activities 

On an M1 visa, students can complete their vocational studies full-time and earn an associate’s degree or another form of degree. They are also permitted to obtain a driver’s licence, open a bank account, switch schools within the first six months of their programme, have access to healthcare, and in some cases, work.

Not allowed M1 Student Activities 

M1 students, on the other hand, are not permitted to do the following:

• Part-time students finish their programmes.
• Work full-time outside of the university.
• Continue their schooling in the United States to obtain a Bachelor’s degree or another form of diploma.
• After six months, they may change their programme or move to a different institution.

There are also significant distinctions between the F-1 and M1 visas. Students with F-1 visas can enrol in academic and degree-granting programmes such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. They often enable students to move to any school at any time and to pursue practical training outside of the classroom. Language courses are available to F-1 visa holders, but not to M1 visa holders.

Who is eligible for a US M1 Student Visa?

To be qualified for and apply for an M1 visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Acceptance into a SEVP institution – in order to be qualified for the M1 visa, you must apply to and be admitted into one of these institutions. You may have a list of schools you’d like to attend, but before you apply, double-check that they meet the requirements for the M1 visa. The school will enrol you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and issue you a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, once you have been admitted.

• Advanced English proficiency – as an international student, you must demonstrate that your English level is sufficient to understand and speak the language as expected by educational institutions. They should be able to follow lectures and address class topics. A standardised English proficiency exam, such as the TOEFL or the IELTS, may be used to demonstrate English proficiency.

• Be able to afford your stay and education in the United States – In order to obtain an M1 visa, you must demonstrate that you will be able to pay your expenses while studying and working in the United States. Since your I-20 form includes an estimation of your expenditures for a year, you can send financial statements demonstrating that you have that amount on hand.

• Proof of strong links to your home country – You should be able to show strong ties to your home country through property deeds, apartment leases, a foreign address, and family ties because the M1 visa requires you to return home after you finish your schooling. As a result, If you don’t have enough proof, the US Embassy can deny your visa on the grounds that you want to live in the US permanently.

US M1 Student Visa Application Process

The M1 visa application procedure is very similar to the F-1 visa. If you want to study at a vocational school in the United States while on an M1 visa, follow these steps.

1. Get your I-20 Form – Once you’ve been accepted into your preferred vocational school, you’ll be sent an I-20 form to begin the application process.
2. Online submission of the DS-160 form – the DS-160 form is the first form you must apply online. The details you provide will be important to your history, goals in the United States, and programme of research. When you submit the form, you will be given a confirmation code and a tab, which you will use for the interview and document file later on.
3. Pay fees, including an application charge, the SEVIS I-901 fee, and (possibly) others.
4. Book your interview as soon as possible, as US embassies have a heavy workload and it will take some time to find you an appointment. You will receive an interview appointment letter after you arrange the interview, which you must connect to your documents file.
5. Attend your visa interview and be prepared to answer the interview questions. Have all of your documents ready (described below). The M1 visa interview will focus on your reasons for visiting the United States, your financial status, and your links to your home country. You will be asked to prove your relationship to any dependents you carry, such as a spouse or children.

M1 Student Visa Required Documents 

All required forms should be included in your paper file. When you go to your visa appointment, you can bring it with you. The following information should be included in the file:

• After your visa expires, you must have a new passport for another 6 months.
• Your confirmation page for the DS-160.
• The letter confirming your visa appointment.
• US Visa photograph which meets the official requirements.
• Your original I-20 form and one copy.
• Receipts that prove you have paid your fees.
• Proof of your educational qualifications (e.g. degrees and diplomas, transcripts, standardized test scores, etc.)
• Proof of financial stability, such as bank statements, tax records, loans to fund your stay in the United States (if applicable), and a scholarship for your education in the United States are all examples of proof of financial stability (if applicable).

Also, if you will be sponsored by an individual in the United States, you must also apply Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, as well as the person’s bank and tax return records for the previous three years.

US M1 Student Visa fees 

The visa processing fee for the US M1 Student Visa is $160. It’s a non-refundable charge, so you won’t get your money back if you don’t get the visa. Since all foreign students in the United States are required to register with SEVIS, there is a charge that must be paid. The M1 visa’s SEVIS I-901 fee is $200. Keep the receipt after you’ve paid because you’ll need it later.

Aside from these fees, additional fees can apply depending on the Embassy from which you are applying. If you are a citizen of those countries, you may be required to pay a visa issuance or reciprocity fee, which is set by the US Embassy. Keep all of your receipts as proof that you’ve paid all of your fees.

M1 Visa Processing Time

The M1 visa takes just a few days to process. Processing takes place prior to your visa interview. There are times when you will get an answer right after your visa interview, with the interviewer either congratulating you or explaining why you were denied.

However, you can anticipate a processing period of at least four weeks in most cases. Do not be surprised if it takes longer than anticipated. Most possibly, the Embassy was overburdened and couldn’t respond as quickly as it would have liked.

M1 Visa Health Insurance Policy

If you apply for an M-1 Student visa, you will not be allowed to provide evidence of health insurance to consular officers. However, due to the high cost of healthcare in the United States, it is strongly advised that you obtain coverage prior to departure.

US M1 Student Visa Validity

The length of your stay in the United States is determined by the duration of your education. You may be granted a visa for the duration of your studies or for a specific period of time. Keep in mind that certain forms, such as Form I-20, are only valid for a year. This means you’ll have to replace it every year.

The M1 visa and Form I-20 can be renewed for up to three years. However, if your visa does not cover the length of your studies, you will need to apply for an extension. It’s possible if you submit Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status, along with your Form I-20 to the USCIS.

Can I change my status to another US Visa?

You can also change your visa status from M1 Student to another non-immigrant visa. However, if you plan to work with skills you learned as an M1 student, you won’t be able to move to a F visa and then to an H-1B visa at the same time.

Many people want to move from an M1 visa to a Green Card, but to qualify for an employment-based green card, you must have outstanding skills, marry in the United States, or spend at least $500,000 in the American economy. As a result, few people move from an M1 visa to a Green Card.

Can I work in the US with an M1 Student Visa?

M1 visa holders are allowed to work under certain conditions. If your EAD is accepted, all of the work you do should be relevant to your field of study. Only on-campus work is permitted, part-time while school is in session and full-time during breaks. You are only permitted to operate for a period of 6 months.

You’ll need your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or M1 Visa Work Permit to be able to work. You may obtain it by completing Form I-538, Certification by Designated School, and submitting it to USCIS. Your Designated School Official must sign the document (DSO). Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, should also be filed.

M2 Dependents Visa

Spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21 of an M1 visa holder are permitted to enter the United States as dependents of the M1 visa holder with an M2 visa. The M2 visa allows dependents to study in America with the M1 visa holder for the duration of their studies.

M2 dependents are not permitted to work or pursue higher education. Children can only complete elementary and middle school, and they can enrol in recreational courses (until 12th grade). M2 dependents receive individual I-20 forms, but they must also return to their home country once the M1 visa expires.

Sources

• [1] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.htmll
• [2] https://www.usa.gov/visas
• [3] https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/