The process of changing status from F1 to M1 Visa is done within the United States through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A change of status from F1 to M1 Visa requires the submission of Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) to USCIS. Students on an F-1 Visa must maintain their valid nonimmigrant status and have no record of criminal or immigration violations to be eligible for a change of status to an M-1 Visa. The F-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who will enroll in academic studies in the US. The M-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who will engage in vocational or technical courses in the US.
Going from F1 Visa to M1 allows foreign students to remain legally in the United States to take up vocational or technical courses after finishing their academic studies. The benefits of a change of visa status include saving up on travel fees and nonimmigrant visa application costs and reducing the risk of a US re-entry denial. The 4 steps to change status from F1 to M1 Visa involve the following.
- Meeting the criteria for a change of status.
- Applying through the USCIS.
- Maintaining a valid nonimmigrant status.
- Receiving the change of status decision from USCIS.
1. Qualify for the Criteria for a Change of Status from F1 to M1 Visa.
Changing your F1 Visa to M1 Visa requires you to meet the eligibility criteria for a change of status within the United States. A change of visa status is the process of transferring from one nonimmigrant visa to another nonimmigrant classification. A nonimmigrant visa is a stamp on the passport of non-US citizens who are granted temporary US entry. Different types of nonimmigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals depending on the purpose of their visit to the United States.
You must be an academic student engaged in an approved program in the United States to be able to change F1 Visa to M1. Below are the conditions you have to meet to qualify for a change of visa F1 to M1.
- Apply for a Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved vocational program.
- Obtain Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status specifically for your M1 Visa application.
- Settle the Student Exchange Visitor Program System (SEVIS) I-901 fee. The Student Exchange Visitor Program System (SEVIS) I-901 fee for the M-1 Visa is $350.
2. Submit an Application with USCIS to Change Your Status.
You can then file for a change of status to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after qualifying for an eligible M1 vocational school. Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status is the application form used to change visa status within the United States. Form I-539 can be submitted online or by mail. The fee for filing Form I-539 is $370.
3. Maintain a Valid Nonimmigrant Status.
A foreign student is eligible for a change of visa F1 to M1 as long as they maintain a valid nonimmigrant F1 status. You must have obtained your F-1 Visa and entered the United States legally. You should not have any violations of your nonimmigrant F1 status or any U.S. law during your stay.
Here are the evidence needed to prove a valid nonimmigrant status to go from F1 to M1 Visa.
- Copy of Form I-94, Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record.
- Copy of Form I797, Receipt Notice.
- Copy of Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student from your F-1 Visa application.
- Proof of financial capacity.
4. Wait Until You Receive a Notice of Approval From USCIS.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue a receipt notice after receiving your Form I-539. You will then be notified of your biometrics appointment and interview if needed. Form I-797, Receipt Notice will be issued to you once USCIS has adjudicated your application for an F1 to M1 Visa change.
You will need to file a separate Form I539 to extend your status if your F1 Visa will expire more than 30 days before your M-1 program starts and you intend to stay in the US until your M1 course begins. Failure to file a request for an extension will result in the denial of your I-539 application to change visa from F1 to M1. Filing an I539 for an extension requires a separate application fee.
What is F1 Visa?
The F1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who will be studying academic programs in the US. F1 Visa students must be engaged in studies that lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate. F-1 Visa holders must be enrolled in an approved Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) institution and demonstrate academic English proficiency.
An F-1 Visa is valid for the duration of the academic student’s program in the US and can stay up to 60 days in the US after finishing their study. Students on F1 Student Visa are able to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Full-time work is allowed on campus during school breaks. Working off-campus, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are allowed after the first academic year as an F1 student. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work related to the F-1 student’s program that is taken before the program ends. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work related to the F-1 student’s program that can be taken before or after the end of their program.
What is M1 Visa?
The M1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who will be taking non-academic, technical, or vocational courses in the United States. M1 Visa courses include cosmetology, cooking, and flight school courses. M-1 Visa applicants should be enrolled in approved SEVP vocational programs and be proficient in the English language.
The validity of the M-1 Visa is dependent on the length of your vocational program. Extension for an M-1 Visa is permitted in cases of compelling educational or medical reasons. M1 students must secure an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to obtain work legally in the US along with an I-539 application. Employment is allowed for 1 month for every 4 months of your M1 course at a job that is related to your program. Students on M-1 Visa are allowed to remain in the US for a maximum of 30 days after the end of their program.
What is USCIS?
USCIS is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security that takes charge of U.S. immigration procedures. USCIS covers processes involving U.S. citizenship, naturalization, permanent residency, employment, education, adoptions, and humanitarian programs.
The USCIS was formed along with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the Homeland Security Act of 2002 which dissolved the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). USCIS covers change of status, adjustment of status, immigrant petitions, and visa extension applications.
What are the Benefits of Changing to an M1 Visa?
Changing an F1 Visa to M1 allows foreign students to remain legally in the United States for educational purposes. A change of visa F1 to M1 enables international students to take up
vocational or technical courses after finishing their academic studies. One of the benefits of a change of visa F1 to M1 is skipping a visa application outside the US. You no longer have to leave the United States and risk a re-entry denial with a change of visa status. Additional Benefits of Changing Visa Status include saving on nonimmigrant visa application costs and travel expenses.
Which is Better Between F1 and M1 Visa?
The F-1 Visa has more advantages in terms of flexibility and employment compared to the M-1 Visa. The F-1 Visa allows students to change their major or program anytime unlike M-1 Visa students who can only transfer within the first 6 months of their program. F1 students are allowed to engage in 4 types of employment while M1 students can only participate in a practical training occupation. M1 students need to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and file Form I-539 before they are able to work legally in the US. The allowed work durations in the US are longer for F1 Visa holders than M1 Visa holders. At the end of the program, F-1 Visa students are allowed to stay for up to 60 days in the US while M-1 Visa students are only able to stay in the US for a maximum of 30 days after their program ends.
How Long Does it Take to Change Visa Status?
The average processing of a change of visa status takes between 3 to 6 months. Make sure that your F1 status remains valid for more than 30 days before your M1 course starts. You need to file a separate I-539 application if your F1 status is expiring more than 30 days before the start of your M1 program. Check the USCIS processing times to determine if you need to file an additional request to extend your status while your F1 to M1 Visa change of status is pending.
How to Qualify for an M1 Visa
You need to be enrolled in a SEVP institution under a vocational or technical program to qualify for the M1 Visa. Below are the requirements that you need to complete your M-1 Visa application.
- Valid passport.
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student.
- Proof of financial capacity such as Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, scholarships, educational loans, and bank statements and tax information for the past 3 years.
- Educational documents such as transcripts, certificates, standardized tests, or diploma.
- Evidence of strong home country ties such as your family, business, or property.
- Proof of English proficiency such as your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Is There an Easier Way to Change Visa Status?
No, the changing of visa status is only possible through Form I-539 filed with USCIS. Form I-539 is used to change your current noonimmigrant visa to another nonimmigrant visa or to extend your status in the US. The other option to change visa from F1 to M1 is to leave the U.S. and apply for a visa through consular processing.
Is it Hard to Change Visa Status?
No, changing your visa status in the U.S. is not difficult as long as your nonimmigrant visa is valid and you did not violate the conditions of your present status. Changing visa status is more convenient than applying for another nonimmigrant visa because you do not need to leave the US. You save up on the costs of nonimmigrant visa application and traveling out of and into the US with a change of status.
Is it Safe to Change Visa Status?
Yes, changing your visa status is safe as long as your nonimmigrant visa is eligible for this USCIS procedure. F1 students and their dependents on F2 Visa are eligible for a change of visa status. Other foreign nationals who are able to change visa status are exchange students and temporary workers. Foreign nationals who are unqualified to change status in the US are crewmembers, foreign fiancé(e)s and certain spouses and dependents of US citizens.