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F1 vs. M1 Visa: What's the Difference for International Students?

Choosing the right visa is essential when you want to pursue higher education in the U.S. With two visa options, many international students struggle to apply for the right one and end up getting into a real pickle. The F1 and M1 visas are two regular visas the Federal government offers but they serve distinct purposes based on the type of educational program. However, understanding the F1 Visa and M1 visa can help you make the right decision and build your desired career effortlessly. So let’s move further to understand in and outs of F1-M1 visas in detail.

WHAT IS F1 Visa AND M1 Visa?

In order to understand F1 Visa and M1 visa first we need to understand what a student visa is? 

Student Visa:

Student visa is a legal document which is issued for foreign students for a specific time period, sometimes based on the student’s course tenure. When a student applies for a visa for schooling in a country, the embassy being the representative issues the visa and helps the student have a career growth.

F1 Visa:

F1 is a type of student visa designed by the Federal government of the United States to enhance opportunities for international students. This Visa covers almost all academic programs in the US which includes Language Training programs, High or Elementary schooling and lastly college or university.

F1 is beneficial for students who are pursuing long term academic studies, whether it is academic study or Bachelor’s, Master’s or the PhD. The length of this visa is set upon the length of course a student is pursuing. Besides, students can also get an optional practical training (OPT)period of 12 months after graduation.

M1 Visa:

M1 on the other hand is a short term visa designed for students who visit the US for vacation, and other non educational purposes.. Unlike F1 visa, M1 visa is issued only for non-degree-based programs like attending education seminars, representing their own school and many more. 

The duration of stay on an M1 visa is limited to one year, though extensions can be granted in some cases. Additionally, M1 visa holders are not eligible for OPT, meaning they cannot stay in the U.S. for work purposes after completing their studies.

Main Difference Between F1 And M1 Visa

F1 Visa is for complete education purpose, while M1 Visa is for vocational studies.

F1 is applicable for high school, college and university programs, and  M1 on the other hand is used for small bootcamps, and small programs.

Students with F1 are eligible to work for at least a year after completion of the course. However, students can’t have a parallel job opportunity with M1.

You can easily switch course to course or subject to subject based on your preference and F1 visa will stretch that tenure. And this is not the case with M1 visa

2 Main Benefits F1 Visa  You Must Know

Work Opportunities

The significant fact about F1 that separates it from M1 visas is employment opportunity. F1 visa holders can work part-time on campus while studying, and they may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during their academic program and OPT after completion. This allows F1 students to gain valuable work experience in their field of study.

Flexibility in Changing Schools or Programs

Another key benefit F1 comes with is the flexibility in changing educational institutions. F1 students have more freedom to switch between schools or even academic programs with the approval of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This allows F1 students to adapt their studies to their evolving career goals.

Both the F1 Visa and M1 Visa serve different purposes for international students. However, both are important and  beneficial for students to have a prospective career growth. So it's always better to have a career guide to help you out in choosing the right one. At Ultraverse we understand student visa requirements and help you apply for visas accordingly.

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