The M-1 student visa is for the vocational student who wishes to pursue vocational or other non-academic studies other than language training.  The M-1 student is allowed to stay in the United States for one year or for as long as you are enrolled as a full-time student in a vocational program (plus 30 thirty days to prepare to leave the country), whichever is shorter.

M-1 students may engage in practical training only after having completed their studies.  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.  You will be allowed to have one month of practical training for every four months of study you completed with a limitation of 6 months of total practical training time. 

How to apply if outside the United States
You first must apply to study at a USCIS-approved school in the United States.  When you contact a school that you are interested in attending, you should be told immediately if the school accepts foreign national students.  If you are accepted, the school should send you USCIS Form I-20 M-N/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (M-1) Student Status - For Vocational Students).  If you require a visa, then you should take the USCIS Form I-20 to the nearest U.S. consulate to obtain a student visa.  Only bring the USCIS Form I-20 from the school you plan on attending for visa processing at the U.S. consulate.  You must also prove to the consulate that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the United States. Please see the State Department Website for more information on visa processing.

When you arrive in the United States, you should receive a Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) that will include your admission number to the United States.  An Immigration inspector will write this admission number on your Form I-20 M-N/ID.  The Inspector will then take pages one and two of this form, known as I-20 M-N.  The USCIS will receive the first page (I-20M) and your school will receive the second page (I-20 N) as a record of your legal admission to the United States.  You are expected to keep pages three and four, known as the I-20 ID.  This document is your proof that you are allowed to study at the indicated institution in the United States.  You should see a school representative if you need a replacement copy of your I-20 ID.  You should also keep safe your Form I-94, because it proves that you legally entered the United States.  If you need a replacement copy of your Form I-94, please see How Do I Get an Arrival-Departure Record.

Spouse and Children
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may come with you to the United States in M-2 nonimmigrant status.  They should go with you to the U.S. embassy or consulate when you apply for your student (M-1) visa.  They should be prepared to prove their relationship to you.  If your spouse or children are following to join you at a later date, they should provide the U.S. embassy staff with a copy of your USCIS Form I-20 ID and proof of their relationship to you.  The M-2 status of your family will be dependent upon your status as the M-1 vocational student.  This means that if you change your status, your family must change their status as well.  If you lose your status, your family will also lose their status.