Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background
A. Purpose
The F and M nonimmigrant visa categories are for noncitizens who seek to study in the United States. The nonimmigrant academic student (F-1) visa category allows a noncitizen to enter the United States as a full-time student at a U.S. college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, private elementary school, other academic institution, or in a language training program.[1]
The nonimmigrant vocational student (M-1) visa category includes students in established vocational or other recognized nonacademic programs but excludes language training programs.[2]
B. Background [Reserved]
C. Legal Authorities
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INA 101(a)(15)(F) - Academic student definition
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INA 101(a)(15)(M) - Vocational student definition
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INA 214(m) - Nonimmigrant elementary and secondary school students
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8 CFR 214.2(f) - Students in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, elementary schools, other academic institutions, and in language training programs
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8 CFR 214.2(m) - Students in established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institutions, other than in language training programs
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8 CFR 214.3 - Approval of schools for enrollment of F and M nonimmigrants
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8 CFR 214.13 - SEVIS fee for certain F, J, and M nonimmigrants
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8 CFR 274a.12(c) - Aliens who must apply for employment authorization
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22 CFR 41.61 - Students - academic and nonacademic
Footnotes
[^ 1] See INA 101(a)(15)(f).
[^ 2] See INA 101(a)(15)(m). See 22 CFR 41.61(b)(1).