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F-1/M-1
F-1/M-1
Attending School in the U.S. on an F-1 and M-1 visas.
You will need a student visa to study as a full-time student in the United States. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. These visas are commonly known as the F and M visas. You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:
The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.
The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other non-academic programs, other than language training.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies. For both F-1 and M-1 students any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized prior to starting any work by the Designated School Official (the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) and USCIS.
If you would like help regarding business immigration, family-based immigration, and immigration-related litigation, or if you have questions about any other immigration-related issue, we encourage you to get in touch. To speak with one of our highly-experienced immigration attorneys in confidence, please call 888-529-5990 or request an appointment online today.