If you’re planning to study in the United States, you need the right visa. The M-1 visa allows international students to learn at a vocational or non-academic institution. If you’re going to take a non-degree vocational program at a community college or technical training school, this is the visa you need.
Remitly is here to guide you through the process of applying for this visa. In this M-1 visa guide for 2025, we’ll go through the process step-by-step so that you’ll know exactly who is eligible, how to apply, and what you can and can’t do with this visa.
What is an M-1 Visa?
An M-1 visa is a student visa, but it’s different from an F-1 student visa. The F-1 is for people who want to study at a US university. The M-1, on the other hand, is for people doing technical or vocational training. That could mean studying at a community college or taking a vocational training program.
While you can work part-time on an F-1 visa to support yourself, the M-1 visa is for full-time training programs, and you won’t be eligible to get a job while you study. That means you’ll need enough money to support yourself throughout your course of study.
To get an M-1 visa, your training must be at a school approved by the Department of Homeland Security. The kinds of programs eligible for this visa include:
- HVAC
- Car repair
- Aircraft maintenance
- Electrical repair
- Plumbing
- IT technician certifications
- Culinary arts
- Hotel management
- Fashion design
- Medical technician training
This is not a complete list, but it demonstrates the kind of training the M-1 visa is intended for. Institutions must be SEVP-approved in order for a course to qualify. Note that language training doesn’t qualify—you can’t get an M-1 visa to learn English in the US.
M-1 visa eligibility requirements
- You must be enrolled in an SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program)-approved school in the US.
- You need to speak English well enough to study entirely in English.
- You need to have enough money to support yourself for as long as your studies last.
- You must maintain a residence in your home country and demonstrate that you intend to return there after your studies.
How to apply for an M-1 visa
Applying for a visa can be an intimidating experience, but don’t worry. Here’s how to apply for an M-1 visa:
- First, you need to enroll in an SEVP-approved school. Once accepted, your school will register you for the SEVIS Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. You’ll need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, which costs $350 for an M-1 visa at the time of writing.
- Next, you’ll get Form I-20 from your approved school.
- You will also need to complete Form DS-160, which is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Submit this form online and print the confirmation page.
- Contact the US Embassy or Consulate in your country to schedule an interview. You need to take your completed forms and supporting documents to this interview to demonstrate that you meet the visa requirements.
M-1 visa documentation checklist
Here’s a list of the documentation that you’ll need:
- A passport valid for at least six months after your intended stay is over
- Form I-20 from your approved school
- The confirmation page for your DS-160 form submission
- Your SEVIS fee payment receipt
- Bank statements to prove that you have enough money to support yourself in the US without working. You may also need documents from a financial sponsor if someone else is funding your studies.
- Transcripts, diplomas, and certificates from previous education
- Standardized test scores demonstrating your eligibility for your course, if applicable
- Proof of links to your home country. Being able to show a property rental contract, proof of homeownership, utility bills, job offers for once you get back, and family ties, can help show the interviewer that you’re not intending to overstay your visa.
Key tips for a successful visa interview
Attending an interview is always stressful, especially when you really want it to go well. These tips can help you navigate your interview and ensure the best chance of success.
Prepare for common interview questions.
You don’t know what the interviewer is going to ask, but there are some questions that commonly come up in interviews like this. For example, you may be asked:
Why did you choose this specific vocational program in the US?
Focus on how the program will help you advance your career in your home country. This is a nonimmigrant visa, and your intent should be to return home after your training.
Why not study this subject in your own country?
Tell the interviewer about specific elements of your intended study program that make it appropriate. Mention specialized equipment, local knowledge, or anything else that isn’t available in your home country.
How will you pay for your tuition and living expenses?
The interviewer needs to be sure that you won’t take a job in the US. Tell them about whatever sources of income you have, whether it’s sponsors, family support, or personal savings. Have documents to back up what you’re saying—bank statements, for example.
What are your plans after completing this program?
Tell them how the training will advance your career back home. Mention any job offers you may have in your home country, tell them your plans to start your own business, or demonstrate that there is demand for the skills you will learn in your country. The more specific and detailed you can be about this, the better.
Do you have relatives in the US?
Answer this question honestly. If you try to hide any connections you have in the US and they find out about them, they may cancel your visa immediately.
As with all interviews, try to appear as confident and helpful as you can. You don’t need to dress up, but it’s a good idea to look professional, with neat and clean clothes. Make eye contact with your interviewer. Be polite, but direct. Embassy officials are busy people, and they prefer clear, direct answers. If you don’t understand the question, it’s okay to ask them to clarify it for you.
Practice your interview with a friend and have them ask some of the questions above. You could even practice in front of a mirror or use an AI chat tool to ask you some common questions.
Fees and processing times
| Fee type | Amount (USD) | Description |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | $350 | Required for all M-1 visa applicants; must be paid before the visa interview. |
| DS-160 visa application fee | $185 | Non-refundable fee for submitting the DS-160 form. |
| Visa issuance fee | Varies | May apply based on your country’s reciprocity agreement with the US; check the US Department of State’s website for specifics. |
| School administrative fees | Varies | Some institutions may charge additional fees for processing and issuing the Form I-20; these are separate from US government fees. |
Processing times for an M-1 visa for international students can vary, but here are some averages:
- Form I-20: Because this form is issued by the school you apply to, the processing time can vary. Many schools process it within one to four weeks, but this depends on the school’s admissions process.
- SEVIS fee: Processing this payment is usually quite quick, but give it 3 to 5 business days for the payment to appear in the system before proceeding with the interview.
- Visa interview wait time: This can vary a lot, depending on the Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You can check the average waiting times here.
- Getting your visa after the interview: If your visa is approved, your passport with the visa is typically returned to you within seven to 10 business days, though this can vary.
Delays in your visa can be caused by a number of factors. Some embassies have a higher workload or fewer staff than others, which means they can take longer to get through their workload. There are also spikes in applications at the end of summer when most US schools start enrollment. If you have been refused a visa before or represent a security concern, you can expect your application to take longer.
While some factors are beyond your control, you can help to avoid delays by making sure all your documents are in order and that you provide everything you’re asked for. Many delays are caused by incomplete documents, so make sure you support every claim you make with the right documentation.
Once your visa is issued, you may enter the US up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20.
Maintaining M-1 visa status
Once you’ve done the hard work of getting your visa, you want to make sure you keep it. Avoid visa problems once your course begins by following these guidelines.
Follow the visa rules
M-1 visas do not allow you to work while you study. That includes one-off cash jobs, online work, or anything else that makes you money.
Also, don’t forget that the M-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, and you are supposed to go home when your studies are complete. Although it’s possible to apply to change your visa type, approval is not guaranteed. If you are considering this, consult with an immigration attorney to understand your options.
Maintain your status
The M-1 visa is intended only for vocational students. That means you need to stay enrolled in your school to keep your visa. If you withdraw from your program, you will likely no longer be eligible to be in the country.
Most students on an M-1 visa are generally not allowed to take extended breaks. If you leave the US during a temporary absence and your visa expires or your I-20 isn’t valid for reentry, you may need to apply for a new visa.
Also, keep information such as your address and telephone number up-to-date so that immigration officials can reach you if they need to confirm any information. The best way to do this is through your Designated School Official (DSO).
Common challenges and how to overcome them
Getting an M-1 visa for international students can be a straightforward process if you are well-prepared and have all your documents in order. However, delays do happen sometimes. Here’s what might happen and what you can do about it.
Delays
Delays can happen for lots of reasons, many of which are not in your control. There may be long waits at the embassy, for example, especially during busy times.
The best way to deal with this is make sure you apply with plenty of time. You can start the process up to a year in advance, but your visa interview and approval timeline will depend on when your course begins.
Having all your paperwork in order and easy to find and read will also do a lot to speed your case up. Make the information easy for the embassy officials to understand, and you are more likely to get a quick decision.
If your case is delayed for more than 60 days, check your embassy’s guidance on how to follow up.
Rejection
The most common reason for rejection is what is called an INA 214(b). This happens when the embassy staff aren’t satisfied that your ties to your home country are strong enough to make sure you leave the US when your course is over.
Another common reason for rejection is inadequate financial proof. Make sure you show that you have enough money to support yourself while you study. Be prepared to explain who is paying for your studies, and show consistent income or a lump sum big enough to pay for your entire stay in the US.
If your visa is rejected, you may reapply, but be sure to address the specific reasons given for the denial.
For any visa application, you need to have the right paperwork in place. However, a little preparation can make the process straightforward and far less stressful. Following the steps in this article will help you present a strong application and improve your chances of success.
FAQs
Can M-1 visa holders bring dependents?
Yes, you can bring your spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 with you if you are studying in the US on an M-1 visa. They will need to apply for their own M-2 visas. Children can study full-time in elementary or high school, and spouses can take part-time or vocational classes. They’re not permitted to work.
Can you switch from an M-1 visa to another visa type?
It is possible to change from an M-1 visa to another visa type. However, while you can potentially extend your M-1 visa, you can’t change it to an F-1 while you are in the US. You would have to leave the country and reapply from outside.
What happens if my program is extended beyond my visa validity?
You can request an extension of your M-1 visa before your current I-20 and I-94 expire. You’ll need documentation from your school to prove that the program has been extended. Extensions of up to a total of three years may be approved.
What options are available for post-study work training?
As a nonimmigrant visa, the M-1 is intended for you to return home once your studies are complete. However, you may apply for practical training, or PT, in your field of study. You are only allowed to do this after your studies are complete, and you can do one month of PT for every four months you spent enrolled in your study program, up to a maximum of six months.