PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - M1 Visa or no Visa and SEVIS approved schools in the USA
Old 1st Mar 2012, 15:19
  #104 (permalink)  
selfin
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Welle,

There is strictly no non-academic vocational student visa available for you. This is a shortcoming in US law. On the previous page of this thread you'll see where I have highlighted this problem which affects 'courses of study' having fewer hours than the minima required.

A B-visa, subject both to a clarified interpretation of the INA and to an amendment in US law summarised in the DOJ memorandum (linked by Gomrath), is not available to aliens entering the US to undertake a 'course of study.' The VWP is similarly inappropriate.

A pragmatic view must at some point be taken in spite of the minimum threshold on hours of studying per week required in part satisfaction of the M visa rules. In your position I would apply for an M visa anyway. The only sensible reason I can see for there being a minimum number of hours per week is to prevent aliens entering the US for prolonged periods, notionally studying, but in reality engaging in labour.

Best of luck.
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