Originally Posted by IO540
There is a recent development, I believe, in that the TSA now advises the Immigration of TSA applications, and all of them now need a Visa. This is despite US LAW not requiring a Visa for training of < 18hrs/week. Maybe somebody can confirm this.
The M–1 non-immigrant visa entitles its holders to enter the US on a temporary basis solely for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study at an established institution. The 'full course of study' is 22 clock-hours / week for lab-based practical studying and 18 clock-hours / wk for classroom based studying. Codified at 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(iii).
(Incidentally there is an allowance for part-time courses for border commuting citizens/nationals of Canada/Mexico.)
Not only must the school be FAA Part 141 (or 142) but also SEVP-certificated. See
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/map/approvedschoolsmap.htm (
cf.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht....html#a_15_M_i)
As for that flight training, requiring TSA clearance, falling short of the M-1 'full-time' requirement, I cannot say.
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Edited to correct the hours/week requirement.