When entering the United States in certain airports (including New York’s JFK), all visitors holding non-immigrant visas are asked to enroll in US-VISIT, a program that enhances security in the U.S. Learn more by visiting www.dhs.gov/us-visit.

The immigration officer at the port of entry will ask to see your passport and I-20. Be prepared to show all of the documents you brought with you to the embassy. The immigration officer will put a stamp on your I-20 and on the I-94 card that states your status (M-1) and how long you can stay (usually 30 days after your graduation date). Some officers will mistakenly write F-1 on your I-20, so it is a good idea to state your status to the officer.

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• Pursue a full course of study at The FCI at all times, excluding official school breaks.
• Complete your program prior to the expiration date on Form I-20 or obtain a program extension to remain longer (a program extension is only available with proper medical documentation).
• Apply for optional practical training (OPT) and a program extension prior to your last day of classes.
• Depart the U.S. within 30 days after completion of studies or authorized practical training.

In addition, to protect your non-immigrant status, you must...

• Keep your passport valid at all times (unless exempt).
• Carry proof of "registration" (status).
• Notify The FCI within 10 days of a new address.
• Notify USCIS within 10 days of a new address on Form AR-11.
• Truthfully provide all information requested by USCIS.
• Do not commit crimes of violence.
• Be sure that Form I-20 reflects truthful information concerning program of study, financial support, etc.

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If you entered the U.S. in another nonimmigrant classification and changed your status to M-1, you must obtain an M-1 visa before re-entering. It is not possible to obtain a new visa inside the U.S.

If you need a new M-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence, you will need to get a new Form I-20 from Student Affairs and apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consular office in your country of permanent residence. To get a new I-20 you must file an application and submit current evidence of your financial support to Student Affairs at least two weeks before your departure.

If you obtained an M-1 visa from your home country, you can re-enter the United States after traveling if you are carrying:

• A Form I-20. Make sure that program of study is still correct and that the date you are expected to complete your program has not expired. You must have a valid reentry signature on the third page to reenter. If you need a new reentry signature, bring your I-20 to Student Affairs and fill out the request for travel endorsement at least three days before your departure. If you are starting a new career program, your completion of study date has passed, or you need to get a new visa, you will need to get a new Form I-20 from Student Affairs. File an application and submit current evidence of financial support at least two weeks before your departure.
   
• Financial documents. Make photocopies of your financial documents showing that you have adequate funding for your studies. If you are going to apply for a new visa from the American embassy or consulate at home, you will need to have original financial documents, not photocopies.

If you entered the U.S. in another nonimmigrant classification and changed your status to M-1, you must obtain an M-1 visa before re-entering. It is not possible to obtain a new visa inside the U.S.

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Leave of Absence
If you need to take time off from school for any reason you must schedule a meeting with Student Affairs. Holders of M-1 visas are required to maintain a full course of study and may only take time off with proof of a medical condition. If you need to take time off for a non-medical reason, you will be required to leave the country, and you will need a new I-20 and visa to return.

If you need to take a leave of absence for medical reasons, you are required to submit medical evidence from a medical doctor or psychologist on official stationery that states the nature of the illness and the period of time you were ill, and you must apply for a program extension.

A delay in completing your program due to academic probation or suspension is NOT an acceptable reason for a program extension according to USCIS regulations. If your delay was caused by one of these reasons, you should make an appointment with a Student Affairs advisor to discuss applying to USCIS for “Reinstatement” of your M-1 status.

How to Apply for a program extension
To apply for a program extension, you must complete the following forms and submit them to The FCI’s Office of Student Affairs:

• Request for Program Extension. Have the form certified by your academic advisor or dean and attach any required evidence of illness or medical condition.
• Form I-539 – Section A (items #1-8 only)
• Proof of Financial Support (if the existing financial documents are more than six months old, you will need to submit new ones).

We will review your application for Program Extension once we receive your request and the completed forms. If the reason for the delay in completing your program meets USCIS (formerly INS) and school requirements, your Program Extension Form I-20 will be prepared and you will be called in to sign it. Then, your program extension will be authorized, the USCIS (formerly INS) will be notified, and a copy of your new Form I-20 will be returned to you. A program extension may be requested no sooner than 60 days prior to your last day of classes and no later than 15 days prior to your last day of classes.

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As a graduate of The FCI, a world of opportunities awaits you. Between our outstanding network of alumni all over the world, and our Office of Career Services, we can help you connect to employment resources in your country of residence. In addition, you can take advantage of Optional Practical Training in the U.S.

Optional Practical Training
As part of the M-1 visa, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. With OPT, you get paid to work—one month for every four months you were in school. We request six weeks, but the actual amount of time is not in our control. It is common to receive just four weeks of OPT after requesting six, and to not receive the OPT card until some of that time has already passed. Extending OPT is not possible. Processing time is approximately three months, and the fees total $640.

You must apply for OPT before you finish your classes—this is a USCIS requirement. Applying early may help you get the full amount of time requested; if you know you are going to apply, get started 90 days before graduation. Submit the following documents to Student Affairs no later than two weeks (but up to 90 days) before your last day of classes:

• Form I-765, application for employment authorization
• Form I-539, request for extension of status
• 2 passport photos (2 inches x 2 inches) with your name and I-94 number on the back
• I-20 with OPT request (from international student advisor)
• Copy of the front and back of your I-94 card
• Copy of passport identification page
• $340 fee for I-765 (check or money order, payable to The U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• $300 fee for I-539 (check or money order, payable to The U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

Leaving the Country
You have thirty days after graduation or after your last day of OPT to exit the country (as long as the thirty days do not extend your total stay to more than one year). If your I-94 card says something different, please come to Student Affairs. If your I-94 card has a later date, that does NOT mean that you can stay longer—if you are in the United States you must be in school full time. A later date on your I-94 card is not an invitation to stay beyond the 30 days.

If you changed your status to M-1 from F-2, you may be able to apply to change your status back to F-2 after graduation. Make an appointment with Student Affairs to discuss the procedure for this change of status.

J-1 and Other Visa Opportunities After Graduation
After graduation most students will be required to go to their home countries. For those wishing to pursue additional training in the United States there are several agencies that may sponsor advanced culinary training on the J-1 visa. Please visit their websites and contact them directly to find out if they will work with you.

www.interexchange.org
www.aipt.org
www.HRC-International.com
www.ymcaicap.org
wise.wisefoundation.com
www.edintl.com

The J-1 visa permits a hospitality trainee to get paid for taining in the U.S. for a period up to 12 months. Trainees must have either: a professional certificate or degree from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least a year of prior related work experience outside the U.S.; or, five years of related work experience outside the U.S. Different organizations have different interpretations of the regulations.

If you are interested in an H visa or any other status, you must contact an immigration lawyer.

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