F1 and M1 Visas are issued to international students who
wish to pursue academic or non-academic programmes in the US. While the F1 Visa
is issued to students who wish to pursue academic programmes or English
language programmes in the United States, M1 Visas are issued to international
students aspiring to pursue non-academic or vocational courses in accredited
and certified institutions in the US. Let us look at both these programmes in
detail and cite the differences between these two student Visa programmes.
The F1 Student
Visa Program
The F1 Visa program is one of the most popular student Visa
programmes in the world, especially considering the thousands of students from
around the globe who wish to pursue their education in the US. The Visa, as
mentioned earlier, is issued not only for students who wish to pursue academic
programmes in schools and colleges, but also to those intending to study
English language programmes in the US.
Students who’re issued with F1 Visas can stay in the US for
a period of 60 days beyond the stipulated completion date of the course. Their
stay can be extended, provided they’ve been approved to stay in the US and work
for a period of time after completion of their course under the OTP programme.
Eligibility criteria
to apply for the F1 Student Visa
● Applicants
should have a valid foreign residence and are expected to return to their home
country upon completion of their course in the US.
● Students
who’ve been granted the F1 Visa and approved to study in a particular institution
are required to complete their course in the same institution.
● All
applicants should show proof that they have an asset/relationship with their
home country. In other words, any proof submitted during the time of the
interview has to be accurate and authentic.
●
Adequate financial support needs to be
demonstrated in order to be issued with the Visa. Candidates must prove that
they have the required funds to complete their course in the United States.
Items and documents
to be provided at the time of the Visa Interview
●
Form DS-160: The
Form DS-160 needs to be duly filled. This online form indicates that you wish
to apply for a non-immigrant Visa.
●
Form DS-157:
All males aged between 14 and 45 are required to fill out Form DS-157 and
submit it.
●
A non-refundable application fee needs to be paid at
the consulate.
●
Passport:
All applicants must possess a valid passport, the validity of which does not
expire before 6 months post the completion of the course in the US. Meaning,
the validity of your passport should be a date that extends at least 6 months
beyond the stipulated course completion date.
●
Photos to be
submitted: 3 recent passport sized photographs.
