M Visa (Vocational)

The M visa is a nonimmigrant visa category for individuals coming to the United States to pursue a course of study at a vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution. This category is for individuals who are coming to the US to participate in a vocational or other non-academic training program that is not available in their home country.

To be eligible for an M visa, an individual must be accepted by a vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution in the United States and must have a residence abroad that they have no intention of abandoning. They must also be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary funds to cover the costs of their training, including tuition and living expenses.

M visa holders are allowed to remain in the US for the duration of their training program, but may not work while in the US. They may also bring their spouse and children with them on M-2 visas, but the dependents are not allowed to work in the US.

It is important to note that the M visa is not a path to permanent residency in the US. After completing their training program, M visa holders must return to their home country. However, individuals who have completed a training program in the US on an M visa may be able to use their skills and experience to apply for a work visa in the future.