The M-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who want to pursue a full-time study in a vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution. While studying in the United States, M-1 students may be eligible for certain benefits. These include getting a driver's license, taking advantage of practical training possibilities, and, in certain cases, working.

M-1 visa holders' spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may enter the United States on an M-2 visa. While dependents are not able to work in the US, they are permitted to enroll in school under certain circumstances.

Requirements

International students in the US must attend a SEVP-approved institution (Student Exchange Visitor Program). After admitting prospective foreign students to a program of study, schools with SEVP certification may provide the Form "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." The Form is then used by prospective international students to apply for a visa to enter the United States. SEVP certification also allows the university to enroll international students who come to the U.S on a M student visa. The schools listed below are qualified to accept M students:

• Community colleges or junior colleges that provide vocational or technical education and give accredited associate degrees.

• Vocational high schools (grades nine through twelve).

• Institutions that provide non-academic or practical training in addition to language instruction (culinary schools, cosmetology schools, flight training schools, etc.).

Students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study

• M-1 students enrolled in a community or junior college must complete at least 12 credit hours every semester.

• M-1 students enrolled in specific post-secondary vocational or business institutions must attend at least 12 hours of class each week.

• M-1 students enrolled in vocational or other non-academic curricular programs must complete 18 clock hours per week of classroom instruction or 22 clock hours per week of program instruction that does not take place in a classroom, such as laboratory work or flying training.

No online or remote learning programs may be used to fulfill the complete course of study requirement for an M-1 student.

• In order to be admitted to the institution, international students must either meet the university's minimal English language proficiency standard or be enrolled in courses that will help them in improving their English language ability.

• When applying to study in the United States, students must demonstrate that they have the funds to pay the costs of their education as well as their living expenses while in the country.

• Proof that a student's stay in the United States is temporary and that he or she will return home after finishing studies is required for an M-1 visa. Verifying nonimmigrant intent may be done by the consular officer simply by looking at the documentation provided. The consular officer is more prone to think that they intend to return home if they have considerable financial, professional, or family ties to their homeland.

Working of M-1 students

Practical training is the only sort of work authorization that M-1 students are eligible to get. It provides students with the opportunity to get on-the-job training that would otherwise be unavailable in their native country. Students who meet the requirements may be eligible for up to six months of practical training once they finish their program. While a principal or designated school official (P/DSO) may propose practical training in SEVIS, it is the student who is responsible for submitting an application for a work visa with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Upon approval of the practical training, the USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the student (EAD). Before starting work, the student must get an EAD.

Designated School Official (DSO)

DSO assists foreign students on how to follow required procedures in order to prevent issues. The following are some of the most typical concerns that international students may have questions about or should report to a DSO:

• Working in the United States.

• Applying for a driver’s license.

• Applying for a Social Security number.

• Changing their major, program, or degree level.

• Changing their education level.

• Transferring to a new school or taking a leave of absence.

• Taking a break from school.

• Traveling outside the United States.

• Moving to a new address.

• Changing their name.

• Requesting a program extension.

Transfer of M-1 students

Students with M-1 visas are only permitted to transfer programs during the first six months of their arrival in the United States. One exception to this is if they are unable to continue attending school due to circumstances beyond their control, such as a school being closed for an extended period.

Under the following circumstances, an M-1 student may transfer:

• Within six months of their arrival in the United States, or within six months of changing to M-1 status from another nonimmigrant classification.

• If their documentation proves the status of an M-1 student

• They continue to pursue a complete course of study at an existing institution.

• They intend to enroll in a full course of study at the new institution.

• They have the financial ability to enroll at the new school.

• They are continuing to pursue the same educational goal.

Withdrawal of M-1 student

Upon the termination of an M-1 SEVIS (The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)  record, the following things happen:

• The student will lose all job permission, both on and off-campus.

• On the basis of a terminated SEVIS record, the student is unable to re-enter the United States.

• Agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency may conduct an investigation to determine if the student has left the country.

• Any M-2 dependent records that are related to this action are terminated.

Extension of stay for M-1 student

M-1 students are only permitted to remain in the United States for the duration of time necessary to finish their course of study, as well as for any practical training (PT) that may be required after they have completed their term of study. This period cannot be longer than one year. However, if an M-1 student requires more than one year to complete their program or any necessary PT, they may request their designated school official (DSO) for an extension of stay.

• M-1 students are limited to requesting extensions in one-year increments.

• An M-1 student's record is only eligible for an extension for a limited period of time.

• The total number of extensions that an M-1 student may get is restricted to three years from the student's initial start date, plus 30 days.

• This three-year maximum includes extensions given for school transfers or re-entry into the country.

Prior to the M-1 student submitting an extension request to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), their DSO should submit a request for an extension of stay via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 

Maintaining Status

A student visa issued by the Department of State shows that the student wants to study in the United States. He or she should avoid any activity that may damage that purpose. Keeping status entails the following:

• Satisfying the Department of State's visa issuance aim.

• Conform to the regulations applicable to that purpose

When M-1 students come to the United States, they must comply with the following requirements:

• Entry into the United States must occur no later than 30 days before the beginning of the study program.

• Immediately upon arriving in the United States, contact the designated school official (DSO).

• They must contact DSO again when returning to school, no later than the start date of the program.

M-1 students must stick to the following requirements when studying in the United States:

• They must attend and pass all classes while in the United States

• They must consult DSO immediately if they are having difficulty in school.

• DSO may assist them in obtaining an extension to the program if they believe they will be unable to complete it by the deadline specified on the Form.

• If they are unable to dedicate themselves to full-time study each term, they should contact DSO promptly.

• They do not withdraw from a class without first checking with the DSO.