F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.

M-1 Student Visa

The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training.

Employment

F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. There are various programs available for F-1 students to seek off-campus employment, after the first academic year. F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment after they have been studying for one academic year. These three types of employment are:

· Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
· Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
· Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.

For both F-1 and M-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.

For more information on the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, visit http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment

‍McDougle Technical Institute is a SEVP-certified accredited vocational school. All international students interested in studying with McDougle Technical Institute will need to apply for the M-1 Visa.

‍Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students. All international students interested in studying with McDougle Technical Institute will need to apply for the M-1 Visa. In support of your application for an M-1 Visa, McDougle Technical Institute is authorized to issue a Form I-20. The following are steps that you must follow in order to successfully enter into the United States to begin studies with McDougle Technical Institute.