Community Voices is a Study in the States guest blog series where we invite members of the international student community to share their insights with our audience. If you have an interest in contributing to our blog, send us an email at SEVPCommunications@ice.dhs.gov.

Wynn Werner is the principal designated school official (PDSO) at The Ayurvedic Institute, a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school for M-1 students in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has more than 15 years’ experience working with international students and managing M-1 student records.

Below, Mr. Werner provides four tips and best practices for M-1 international students based on common issues M-1 students at his institution have experienced over the years.

1. Be prepared.

Students should make an appointment to visit the U.S. embassy or consulate as early as possible and bring all documents required of them when applying for a visa to study in the United States. Ideally, a student applies for a visa in their home country or country of citizenship. They should also know that they must provide financial documentation to the SEVP-certified school they wish to attend before they can be issued a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” by the school.  This is one of the documents they will need during their consulate appointment.

2. Know the rules for M-1 duration of status.

Students with a valid M-1 visa can arrive no earlier than 30 days before the start of their program and must leave the United States within 30 days after the program ends, according to the date on their Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record.”

International students can stay in the United States only for the period of time that is needed to complete their program of study, as well as the 30-day arrival and departure periods and any time needed to participate in post-completion practical training, if approved. For M-1 students, the total amount of time students may be initially admitted to the United States cannot exceed one year, plus the 30-day arrival and departure periods. Eligible M-1 students who need additional time to complete their program of study must follow the process to apply for an extension of stay.

M-1 students are not eligible for vacation during study. If they take a vacation and wish to return to resume studying, they must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee again and obtain a new Form I-20 from their institution.

3. Speak to your DSO before leaving the United States.

M-1 students should speak with their designated school official (DSO) if they wish to leave the United States while their school is closed for short breaks (e.g., for winter break). Their DSO must also sign the second page of their Form I-20 before they leave. Students who do not have a signed Form I-20 or who do not hand-carry all documents with them when re-entering the United States risk denial of entry or receiving a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.”

4. Plan ahead if you are interested in practical training.

M-1 students interested in practical training must speak with their DSO early and apply for authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). There is a specific window of time near the end of their program of study during which they can apply for practical training, so students should discuss this option with their DSO well in advance of the end of their program.

Additionally, because M-1 students are usually admitted for the length of the program (up to one year), they may need to apply for an extension of status at the same time they apply for practical training authorization from USCIS.

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