Student Visas: M-1 Visa Breakdown

The M-1 visa is provided to people pursuing a temporary residence within the U.S. to complete a full-time course of study in a vocational or other nonacademic field. Before applying for a visa, you selected a school or institution certified by a government program known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP-certified). After being accepted, the school created a Form I-20 and provided it to you. From there, you applied for an M-1 visa.

During the application process, you may have been asked to meet the following additional requirements: prove financial standing sufficient to cover your expenses during your study, maintain your international home address with intention to return, and demonstrate proficiency in the English language or enroll in courses resulting in proficiency. After this, you received your M-1 visa and entered the U.S. to begin your studies. Now that your studies have begun, what else should you consider?

Opening a Bank Account

To keep funds in a U.S. bank account during your stay, you will first need to apply for a new account at your bank or credit union of choice. When applying, you may be asked to provide your residency documentation, and these documents may include the following:

• Copy of your foreign passport
• Copy of your Form I-20
• W-8 BEN and written explanation form or W-9 letter
• Proof of current U.S. address

As an additional consideration, it’s important to provide updated documentation to your bank or credit union if any changes are made to your residency status. If reporting incorrectly, your account and funds could become subject to restrictions.

Program Changes and School Transfers

Currently, M-1 visa holders are not eligible to change their field of study. However, if you’re interested in changing your place of study, you may be eligible if it is within the first six months of your arrival. To start this process, you may speak to your designated school official (DSO) to determine how transferring to a new school or institution relates to the legal requirements of your M-1 visa. If you’re accepted into a new school or institution, you’ll receive an updated Form I-20. However, you will need to obtain permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before fully transferring, and this will be gained through submitting a Form I-539, the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. During this process, it’s important that you maintain your status and continue your studies at your current school or institution.

Work

Due to the terms of the M-1 visa, you are most likely not eligible to work during your studies. However, you may be eligible to participate in practical training (PT) after your initial studies are completed.

Driving

To drive a vehicle during your stay, you will first need to apply for and receive a driver’s license. As the first step in this process, you will need to speak with your DSO to review driving rules and regulations within your specific state, and they will confirm that your student record is active within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) database, otherwise known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). When applying to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you may be asked to provide your Form I-20, your passport or M-1 visa, proof of residence, and your Social Security card or a form stating your ineligibility for a Social Security number.

Health Insurance

At this time, the U.S. government does not require M-1 visa holders to have health insurance, but most schools will require enrollment in health coverage before enrollment in classes. This is because the cost of uncovered medical care may severely impact a student’s financial ability to continue their studies. To assist with this, many schools will offer their own health insurance options for international students holding an M-1 visa, but they are not always the most affordable option. If your school does not require you to choose from their policies or is able to waive the requirement for you, it may be beneficial to research private insurance as well.

Completing Your Program

As you approach the completion of your studies, you may apply to participate in practical training, which would provide paid employment experience within your field of study. You are eligible for one month of practical training for every four months of study you completed in your initial program, but the maximum term available for practical training is six months in total. To start this process, you will speak with your designated school official, who will then officially recommend you for practical training. Once this is complete, you will apply to obtain permission from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services by submitting Form I-765, also known as an Application for Employment Authorization. If you’re approved, they will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). During this process, you may also need to file Form I-539, or the Application to Extend Nonimmigrant Status. If you don’t pursue this option and decide to return to your home country, you are given 30 days for departure to begin using your new skills.

Sources:

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/get-started/international-student-life-cycle

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/guide/m-1/m-1-postsecondary

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/instructions-for-transferring-to-another-school-as-an-m-1-student

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/driving-in-the-united-states

https://www.edupass.org/living-in-the-usa/health-insurance-international-students/

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-student-employment/m-1-practical-training