M Visa


M Visa

The M visa allows you to take an approved full-course of study leading to a particular educational or vocational goal at an established vocational or nonacademic institution. M visas are for students attending:

Community or junior college;
Post-secondary vocational or business school; or
Vocational or other nonacademic program or secondary curriculum.
Unlike the F-1 visa, M visa holders may not take any online courses and may only carry a reduced load of classes due to medical issues and for no more than 5 months. For the M-1, if you are attending a junior or community college you will have to maintain at least 12 semester/quarter hours leading to a particular objective.

Like the F-1, if you are applying for an M-1 visa you will have to present a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Form I-20 to the consular officer at the time of your interview and pay the SEVIS fee either by mail or on-line at www.fmjfee.com.

You may transfer to a different program, but you may only do this within the first 6 months of the program for which you were originally approved. Note that you cannot change your educational objective, even if you decide to change to a different program. Further, you cannot be employed while in M-1 status, unless it is practical training; nor can you change to an H visa if you are applying for this visa based upon the training you received while on an M-1 visa.

Length of Stay

Extensions are available for M-1 visas for up to three years from the original beginning date of your program plus your 30 day grace period. Upon the end date of your visa, you will have a 30 day grace period to either depart or change your status.

Spouse and Children

The spouse and children of an M-1 visa holder may accompany them to the United States on a M-2 visa. However, the spouse and/or children have to obtain their own SEVIS Form I-20. In addition, the family members cannot be employed or enrolled in a full time study course unless it is a child attending elementary or secondary school.

Related Topics:

M-1 Visa (Full-time Study which Leads to a Particular Educational or Vocational Goal)
J Visa (Work or Train with an Approved Exchange Program)
H-3 Visa (Temporary Worker Coming to Receive Training or Instruction)
Maintaining Your Status