Generally Students get M-1 Visa for one
year or for the amount of time required to complete the course of study. They are also
given 30 days grace period in which to depart following completion of the course.M-1
students are not authorized to work on- or off campus employment. They are, however,
allowed to participate in practical training following the completion of their course of
study. A request for practical training must be submitted no more than 60 days before the
completion of studies, and no later than 30 days after completion. The period of practical
training is determined by authorizing one month of training for each four-month period of
study, however, the practical training is not to exceed six months.
M-1 students' spouse and children can apply for M-2
Visa.
How to apply? (also applicable to F-1)
The first step is to obtain from the school or academic
institution the Form I-20A-B entitled Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1)
Student Status or the Form I-20M entitled Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant
(M-1) Student Status. Schools and academic institutions which have received United States
Government approval to enroll foreign students have the authority to issue these forms. A
student visa cannot be processed without this form. Item 11 at the bottom of page one of
the form I-20 must be completed and signed by the applicant and submitted together with
the following:
- a passport or other travel document valid for at least six
months beyond the period of stay in the United States and with at least one blank page -
the six month requirements does not apply to United Kingdom passports;
- one color passport type photograph;
- evidence to show that the applicant has sufficient funds to
cover all expenses including tuition while in the United States. Such evidence may include
detailed bank statements of the student's and/or parents' accounts showing that adequate
funds are available for transfer, evidence of scholarships and/or combination of finances
which will meet the estimated total expenses, including tuition, of the student's proposed
stay in the United States;
- evidence to show that the applicant has a residence abroad
to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is
generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other
ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the
applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay;
- applicants may be required to furnish detailed information
concerning their academic qualifications. Such evidence may include complete transcripts
of grades (marks) and test records for the last four years of school and evidence of TOEFL
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores.
- a completed visa application form DS-156 for each person
traveling which has been endorsed by a bank showing payment of the visa application fee.
Reminder: No
assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel
plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been
issued.
Work:
It is possible in certain limited circumstances for the holder of an F-1 visa to obtain
permission to work in the United States. Holders of M-1 visas may only engage in
employment if it is a required part of their practical training and the employment has
been approved in advance by the office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The
spouse and/or children of the holder of an F-1 or M-1 visa may not work on derivative F-2
and M-2 visas; they may, however, study at an academic institution.
Entry
& Length of Stay: The holder of a student F-1 or M-1 visa may enter the United
States up to 90 days before the designated registration date on the the I-20A-B or I-20M.
The holder of an F-1 visa may remain in the United States for up to 60 days following the
completion of the course. The holder of an M-1 visa may remain in the United States for
the period of time it will take to complete the course of study as indicated on the I-20M
plus 30 days, or for one year, whichever is less.
Spouses, Children & Partners: Spouses and/or children under
the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States
for the duration of his/her stay require derivative F-2 or M-2 visas. The application
procedure is the same; the I-20A-B or M covers dependents. If the spouse and/or children
apply for visas at a later date, a copy of the principal visa holders F-1 or M-1 visa must
be furnished with the application. The holder of an F-2 or M-2 visa may not work on a
derivative visa; he or she, however, may study at an academic institution.
Spouses and/or children who do not intend
to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations
only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas, or if
qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Partners and common-law spouses should
apply for a visa in his or her own right because U.S. visa law does not recognize
common-law relationships; therefore a partner or fiancée(e) is not eligible to apply for
derivative visa status.
F-2/M-2 verses F-1:
There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of an F-1 or M-1 visa holder apply
for an F-1 visa if they wish to study in the U.S.; they may study on an F-2 or M-2 visa.
However, if they are qualified, they may apply for the F-1 visa. If you have school age
children, you should refer to the regulations governing the issuance of F-1 visas.
Do
you have a valid F-1 visa? If you have a valid F-1 visa you may continue to use it
provided you will arrive in the United States before the expiration date shown on your
visa and you will carry with you a valid I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for
Nonimmigrant F-1 student status from an educational institution. If the educational
institution to which you are destined, differs from that for which the F-1 visa was
originally issued, you may still travel, provided the I-20A-B is valid. The visa cannot be
used if you are traveling as a tourist. |
