M-1
M1
visa is a non-immigrant student visa that allows foreign nationals
to engage in a full course of vocational or non-academic study
in the United States
M1 student visa
details:
The M1 visa is suitable for foreign students wishing to attend
a full vocational or non-academic course, other than language
training, at colleges, universities, or conservatories in the
United States . On M1 student visa, a person can remain in the
country for one year or for as long as he or she is enrolled
as a full time student in the course of study plus 30-days to
prepare to leave the U.S.
The
M-1 visa holders are able to apply for change or adjust status
to other categories of US temporary visas. But, they cannot
change to H-1B visa or F1 visa status
if the employment offered is based on knowledge gained through
studies while in M1 status.
One can enjoy the following privileges on M-1 visa:
The M-1 visa holders can:
-
travel
in and out of the U.S. (on short trips and return) or remain
in the country continuously till the completion of their
study program;
-
transfer
from one college to another by notifying the alteration
to the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services);
-
work
lawfully on-campus on a part-time basis;
-
work
lawfully off-campus on a project study that's related to
their area of study; and
-
apply
for a visa, commonly known as M2 visa, for family members
accompanying them to the United States. The M2 visa is issued
to the spouse and minor children (below age 21) of the M1
visa holders. These dependent visa holders can stay in the
United States as long as the principal visa holder remains
in legal status.
Note:
Once an
M1 holder is 6 months into a program of study, he/she is disallowed
from changing his/her course of study, excluding under truly
exceptional situation.
Documents
required for applying M1 visa:
While applying for M-1 visa, the documents required include:
-
Original
valid passport and any previous passports that are still
in your possession;
-
Completed
Form DS-156 (application for a nonimmigrant visa) and Form
DS-158. All male students between 16-45 years have to also
complete Form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application);
-
Recent
passport-size photographs;
-
A
police certificate;
-
Original
Form I-20M-N issued by your intended school;
-
Permission
letter from the school/college you plan to study in; and
-
Evidence
of financial support .
Extension
of stay:
After the completion of studies, the M-1 visa holder can apply
for extension of stay if he/she wishes to pursue practical training.
In general, a person holding M1 visa will be authorized to have
one month of practical training for every four months of study
he/she has finished. The student will be limited to six months
total training time.
To
extend your stay, you must submit completed Form I-539 (application
to extend or change nonimmigrant status) to USCIS at least 15
days (but not more than 60) prior to your approved stay in the
country ends. At the same time, you are required to submit Form
I-20I-D to the USCIS.
