M-1 Visa Law and Legal Definition
M-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant student visa. It allows foreign students who wish to pursue vocational or non-academic studies, other than language training, to enter into the U.S.
To get an M-1 visa, the student must present a signed Form I-20 at a U.S. embassy or consulate in his/her home country. The I-20 is issued by a designated school official, typically the international student adviser, after the student has fulfilled a school's admissions requirements and presented proof of financial resources.
M-1 students are admitted into the United States for a fixed period of time. They can stay in the U.S. for the length of their training program plus any Optional Practical Training, plus a thirty-day grace period at the end of their training. However, their stay cannot exceed one year unless they are granted an extension for medical reasons. A student violates his/her status loses the grace period.
Students in M-1 status cannot work on or off campus while studying, and they cannot change their status to F-1.
