---
title: F1 Visa & M1 Visa are Student Visas for the US » My Visa Source
description: Are you looking to study in the US? The F-1 Visa & M-1 Visa's differences are explained in detail here for attending academic or vocational schools.
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---
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- F1 - Study Visa
# F-1 and M-1 Student Visas for the US » Choosing the Right Study Visa for You
There are two visa options for students looking to study in the United States. These options are the F-1 visa and the M-1 visa. The F-1 student visa is for students attending academic schools like a college or university, and the M-1 visa is for students attending vocational or trade schools.
Do you want to know your eligibility for the F-1 Visa or an M-1 Visa to study temporarily in the US?
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- F1 - Study Visa
F-1 and M-1 Student Visas for the US » Choosing the Right Study Visa for You
[ Start Your Online Assessment ](https://www.myvisasource.com/free-assessment)
Or Call Us: [1-(888)-509-1987](tel:1-888-509-1987)
There are two visa options for students looking to study in the United States. These options are the F-1 visa and the M-1 visa. The F-1 student visa is for students attending academic schools like a college or university, and the M-1 visa is for students attending vocational or trade schools.
Do you want to know your eligibility for the F-1 Visa or an M-1 Visa to study temporarily in the US?
Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options.
Is studying in the United States a dream that you would like to pursue? The US offers many different academic and vocational schools (trade schools) in some of the most beautiful cities and towns in North America where you can realize your dream.
If you are planning to study [in the United States as a temporary, non-immigrant visa holder](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/) at either an academic school (F-1 Visa) or a vocational, non-academic school (M-1 Visa), you may be able to apply for one of these two visas.
## **Click on the heading that interests you:**
- [What is the Difference Between the F-1 Visa and the M-1 Student Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Difference-F-1-Visa-and-M-1)
- [F-1 Student Visa for the United States](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#F-1-Student-Visa)
- [Who Qualifies or is Eligible for the F-1 Study Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#F-1-Study-Visa)
- [What is an F-1 Student Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#What-is-F-1-Student-Visa)
- [What are the Requirements to Obtain an F-1 Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Requirements--F-1-Visa)
- [What is the Process for the F-1 Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Process-for-the-F-1-Visa)
- [M-1 Student Visa for the United States](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#M-1-Student-Visa)
- [Who Qualifies or is Eligible for the M-1 Study Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Eligible-for-the-M-1-Study-Visa)
- [What is an M-1 Student Visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#M-1-Student-Visa)
- [What are the F-1 and M-1 Visa Processing Times?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#F-1-and-M-1-Visa-Processing-Times)
- [Top 10 Reasons for Refusal of the F-1 and M-1 Applications](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Top-10-Reasons)
- [The F-1 and M-1 Study Visas » Other FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Other-FAQs)
- [How many years is the F-1 visa valid for?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Q1)
- [How early can I enter the US with an F-1 visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Q2)
- [How long can you stay on the F-1 visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Q3)
- [Can you work on an F-1 student visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Q4)
- [Can you work on an M-1 visa?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#Q5)
- [Why Contact My Visa Source for an Assessment?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#why-contact)
- [Begin Your Study Application for the F-1 or M-1 Today](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#begin-your-study)
## **What is the Difference Between the F-1 Visa and the M-1 Student Visa?**
The F-1 student visa is for individuals who plan to study at an academic school in the US.
The M-1 student visa is for individuals who plan to study at a vocational, non-academic school in the US. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **F-1 Student Visa ****for the United States**
Below is key information for you to be aware of if you are planning on applying for one of the two study visas, the F-1. This information should provide you with clarification about this student visa.
If you have been granted a spot at a US academic school that offers classes from the primary level up to university level, you will need to apply for the F-1 visa, which is a visa for temporary studies. The US school where you have been accepted must be a privately-funded school. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **Who Qualifies or is Eligible for the F-1 Study Visa?**
The F-1 student visa is available to individuals who are international students and their families for temporary residence in order to study in the United States at an academic institution.
The visa covers students who wish to attend a US school from the elementary level to university.
To be eligible for the F-1 visa, applicants must follow the F1 visa rules.
Applicants must have an offer of admission from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school, have strong ties to their home country, be able to prove sufficient financials, and be proficient in English. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **What is an F-1 Student Visa?**
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant (temporary) visa for international students who wish to study temporarily at an academic school in the US.
The F-1 academic student visa allows the applicant to enter the US as a full-time student at the following levels and types of institutions:
- University or college
- High school
- Private Elementary school
- Seminary
- Conservatory
- Other Academic institutions, including language training programs
- Vocational or other recognized non-academic institutions, other than a language training program
[*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **What are the Requirements to Obtain an F-1 Visa?**
To obtain an F-1 student visa, you must be enrolled as a full-time student in an academic educational program or a language training program. You also must be accepted into a school that is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP) and by Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
If you want to obtain the study visa, you must be proficient in English or be enrolled in classes that will lead to proficiency. You must have sufficient funds to support yourself during the entire proposed course of your study and be prepared to maintain residence abroad and have no intention of giving it up. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **What is the Process for the F-1 Visa?**
Applicants must be accepted to an SEVP approved school before applying. To qualify, the program in which you are enrolled must culminate in the receipt of a degree, diploma, or certificate and the school must be authorized by the US government to accept international students. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **M-1 Student Visa for the United States**
If you wish to pursue studies in the US to learn a trade or to become a technician of some sort, the M-1 study visa may be your best option. The M-1 is for students who want to study at a non-academic or vocational school where completion does not lead to a degree. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **Who Qualifies or is Eligible for the M-1 Study Visa?**
The M-1 student visa is available to international individuals or families for temporary residence in order to study in the United States.
To be eligible for the M-1 Student Visa, applicants must intend to study at a vocational or non-academic school, other than language training, have been accepted at an SEVP institution, be proficient in English, have strong ties to your home country, and be able to finance your education and stay. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **What is an M-1 Student Visa?**
The M-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for international students who wish to study temporarily at a vocational or non-academic school in the US. M-1 visa holders for technical and vocational programs are not permitted to work during the course of their studies and must provide proof of sufficient funds to pay all tuition and living costs for the length of their study program. [*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **What are the F-1 and M-1 Visa Processing Times?**
Processing times for US study visas vary depending on several factors:
- The office or service center responsible for processing the file
- The type of non-immigrant visa
- Study visa interview wait times (if applicable)
- Whether the applicant can qualify for an expedited interview appointment
- Whether *Expedited* *processing* is available
- Whether *Premium* *Processing* is available
- Providing insufficient or incomplete documents can lead to delays in processing and even denials
[*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
## **Top 10 Reasons for ****Refusal of the F-1 and M-1 Applications**
While there are many reasons why your study visa application could be refused, we have listed the top ten most common ones here:
1. Current and or past immigration status and history for the US or abroad, including overstaying and unauthorized employment
2. Insufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
3. Incorrect or incomplete petition
4. Insufficient supporting evidence
5. Conflicts with travel documentation
6. Health concerns
7. Suspicious of malicious intent
8. Problems with background check
9. Criminal history/Being convicted of a crime/Suspected or known ties to terrorism
10. Material Misrepresentation
[*Back to Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/student-visas/f-1-m-1/#heading)
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## The F-1 and M-1 Study Visas » Other FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
### How many years is the F-1 visa valid for?
Generally, the F-1 student visa is typically valid for a period of up to five years, but this may vary depending on the length of the program and this does not mean that the student is permitted to remain in the US for five years. A separate I-94 form is issued to all non-immigrant visa holders and this will outline exactly how long the student may actually stay in the US.
---
### How early can I enter the US with an F-1 visa?
Entry times to the US with an F-1 visa vary. While an F-1 student visa may be issued up to 120 days before your program start date, you may only enter the US 30 days before your program start date.
---
### How long can you stay on the F-1 visa?
The F-1 visa permits an individual accepted to a US school to remain in the US for the duration of the program. You must leave the US 60 days after program completion.
---
### Can you work on an F-1 student visa?
The F-1 visa does not permit students to work off-campus during the first academic year, but working on-campus is allowed subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the student has completed year one of their program, they may qualify to work off-campus in three types of employment as follows:
1. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows international students authorization to gain employment training and to work in paid internship positions. Students could have the opportunity to work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less per week).
2. Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT) is available to students who majored in an eligible Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) field may qualify for a one-time, 24-Month Extension of post-completion optional practical training (OPT).
For F-1 students, any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized prior to starting any work by the Designated School Official (the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) and USCIS.
---
## **Why Contact My Visa Source for an Assessment?**
Congratulations on taking your first step toward studying temporarily in the United States. The more research you do on the immigration process, the more you will learn about your specific situation and how we can help you navigate through the US study visa process.
Immigration lawyers at My Visa Source dedicate themselves to your immigration case, providing legal representation tailored to your personal situation. Our expertise focuses on immigration and visa programs for the United States and Canada, including global immigration.
Partnering with an award-winning immigration team greatly increases the likelihood of achieving your specific immigration or visa goals.
## **Begin Your Study Application for the F-1 or M-1 Today!**
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