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The M-1 visa is intended for persons who have a non-academic, practice-oriented training at a recognized educational institution in the USA - such as a flight school or technical vocational school. If you are seeking a vocational qualification in the United States, we will be happy to assist you with your M-1 visa application.
M-1 visas, also known as "Vocational Student Visas", allow foreign nationals to attend vocational and technical educational institutions in the United States. These visas are required if you want to enter the USA to complete a non-academic education or practical training - for example at a flight school, a technical college or a specialized vocational school.
Simply put, M-1 visas cover the following stays:
SEVP certification and SEVIS registration
Only educational institutions with a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) may issue an I-20 form. This form is mandatory in order to apply for an M-1 visa at the US consulate.
The I-20 must be completed in full and signed by an authorized person at the facility - the Designated School Official (DSO) - be signed. No M-1 visa can be issued without this document.
Important: Not all educational institutions in the USA are authorized to issue the I-20 form. Before applying, you should check whether the school or institution you have chosen is SEVP-certified. This can be done via the official School Search Tool of the US Department of Homeland Security.
Apprenticeship in a recognized program
Applicants must have been accepted for a complete, hands-on training program at an accredited educational institution in the United States. Depending on the program, certain minimum requirements for hours or credits apply.
Financial security
The costs of education and living expenses must be demonstrably covered - either by your own funds or by a scholarship. This must be proven at the time of the visa application.
Permanent residence and intention to return
As with all non-immigrant visas, applicants must prove that they will return to their home country after completing the program. Proof of permanent residence, family ties or career plans can support this.
Language skills
As the training is usually provided in English, applicants must have sufficient language skills to follow the lessons.
The Form I-20 is only issued by authorized educational institutions that offer a complete training program and have SEVIS registration. Not every organization or educational institution in the USA is authorized to do so. It is therefore advisable to check in advance whether the chosen institution is authorized in the School Search Tool of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The residence status with an M-1 visa depends on the exact duration of the program as stated in the I-20 form of the respective educational institution. The status is valid for the entire training period - plus a so-called "grace period" of up to 30 days after the end of the program, during which a tourist stay in the USA is still possible. However, you may not work or continue studying during this period.
Important: An extension of M-1 status is only possible under certain conditions and must be applied for in good time with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The prerequisite for this is that the maximum total duration for M-1 programs (usually up to 12 months) is not exceeded.
Leaving the USA during the program can be problematic, especially if there is no valid re-entry permit ("Travel Endorsement") on the I-20 form. A stay of more than five months outside the USA without reference to the training program usually leads to the loss of M-1 status.
The M-1 visa itself is usually issued for the duration of the training program plus 30 days, but for a maximum of one year. The exact validity also depends on the nationality of the applicant and is based on the Reciprocity Schedule of the US Department of State.
The following applies: The validity period of the visa determines how long a person may enter the USA - not how long they can stay there. The actual residence status is determined solely by the information on the I-20 form.
The M-1 visa can only be used in conjunction with a valid I-20 form. If the form expires or loses its validity, the M-1 status also expires, even if the visa in the passport is still valid.
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