M1-Visa FAQ

Please find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the M1–visa status.

How do I go about applying for the M1–visa?

Please contact your local US Embassy to find out whether or not you need to apply in person or if you may send in your application. If you need to apply in person, make an appointment with them. Please allow for about 2-3 weeks for the school to complete your I-20 form as well as for the Embassy to process your request (usually about 4 – 6 weeks, check with your local Embassy).

In either case, ask them to send you all the necessary information and forms for the M1–visa application even prior to receiving the I-20 form. We encourage you to begin filling out the forms immediately and gathering the necessary supporting documents.

One of the forms mentioned in the information is the I-20 form. This is a form that the school will issue for you and send to you. Without it, you will not be able to obtain the visa.

What information is required for the I–20 form?

Once you are accepted into our program, our offices will contact you to gather the following information: your full name as stated in your passport (first – middle – last name); your date of birth (day – month written out – year); your country of birth; your country of citizenship; your full mailing address; your available funds in US $.

Due to strict regulations by the US Government, you are required to have enough personal funds to cover tuition, food, lodging and other expenses for 10 months. This information will be entered on the I–20 form and you will need proof of this information with bank statements, letters from supporters, etc.

An option might be to have some personal funds and then cover the rest of the required amount by support through friends and family. Scholarships for tuition may be applied for with a separate form and are awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Unfortunately, if you do not have enough finances to cover at least tuition, food & lodging, we are unable to fill out and file an I-20 form for you. Without the I-20 form you will not be able to obtain an M1-visa.

Can I work in the US when I have the M1-visa status?

No. M1- visa holders may not accept any kind of employment. This includes baby sitting, nanny positions and working for food and lodging for a host family (baby sitting or household chores).

Can I bring my wife and children to the US?

Yes. Wife and children of M1-visa holders are called “dependents”. They are allowed to apply for an M2-visa and can enter the US if approved.

Can my dependents work?

No. M2-visa holders may not accept any kind of employment. This includes baby sitting, nanny positions and working for food & lodging for a host family (baby sitting or household chores).

Can my dependents study at the school?

No, M2-visa holders are not allowed to study. If they decide to become students, they will have to apply for an M1-visa themselves.

Can I study at another school while being in your program?

No, you are only allowed to study at our school with the M1-visa.

Can I apply for another type of visa in order to study at your school?

No. The only visa that allows you to study at our school is the M1-visa. You are not allowed to enroll in our school if you have any other type of visa.

How long can I stay in the USA?

You are allowed to enter the US 30 days before the program start date stated on your I-20 form and you may stay up to 30 days after the program end date stated on the I-20 form.

With the M1-visa, you are only allowed to stay in the US as long as you are a full time student with our school. If you decide to quit the program or you are asked to leave, you are also required to leave the country.

Can I leave the USA for ministry trips or breaks and re-enter?

Yes, you are allowed to leave and re-enter the country provided that you are still a full-time student with our school and your visa is still valid. You will need to have your valid passport and your I-20 form when you re-enter the country.

How long is the M1-visa valid?

The M1-visa can only be obtained for 1 year at a time, respectively for the period of the program from start to end date as stated on the I-20 form.

If I want to continue with the 2nd year program, what would I have to do in regards to my visa?

As the M1-visa originally only is issued for one year or the length of the program, you have the option of filing for an extension. For this, you will have to fill out the proper form, have proof of your funds and submit proof that you have been accepted into the 2nd year program. An extension must be filed no earlier than 60 days and no later than 15 days before the program end date.

While your extension case is pending, you will not be able to leave the US. If you leave, your extension request will be cancelled.

If you plan to return home for your summer break to work and visit family after the 1st year program is completed, you will be able to apply for a new M1-visa at the local US Embassy in your home country. The process will be the same as when you first applied for a visa.

Can I accept employment after I have completed the program?

After you have completed your program, you may accept employment from any employer within the US. However, you will have to leave the country in order to apply for the proper work permit.

You cannot file for a change of status in order to change from the M1-visa to a work permit. For further information on this, please check with your local US Embassy or the BCIS.

Can I apply for another type of visa in order to study at your school?

No. The only visa that allows you to study at our school is the M1-visa. You are not allowed to enroll in our school if you have any other type of visa.

What is the BCIS?

The BCIS is the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. They handle all aspects of foreign non-immigrants and immigrants in the USA. The contact information for your local US Embassy can be found on the Internet and the phone book.

For the BCIS use 1 800 375 5283 when within the USA. Unfortunately, you are not able to contact the BCIS from outside the country. Please, look up their website http://uscis.gov