Full-Time Training in Anaheim - International Applicants

We are happy to announce that the Full-time Training in Anaheim is now recognized as a vocational school by the U.S. State Department and has received approval to issue I-20 forms (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Vocational Student Status).

With the I-20, international applicants can now apply for an M-1 visa, which will allow them to enter and be in the U.S. legally as a trainee. However, please note that having an I-20 does not guarantee the approval of the M-1 visa. Applicants will need to satisfy the requirements of the local U.S. embassy or consulate in which they are applying for their visa.

The following are some points of explanation regarding the M-1 visa:

The M-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign students to enter the U.S. to pursue vocational or non-academic studies, other than language training.
The visa is initially valid for one year. International trainees intending to continue for the second year will have to apply for a renewal of this visa (through filing a Form I-539) two months before the end of their second term.
International students on an M-1 visa are allowed to travel outside the U.S. while their visa is still valid, but not while their application for extension is being processed.
Students on an M-1 visa have to return to their home country after the program.
More detailed information regarding the application for the M-1 visa is available at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.
The estimated cost to apply for an M-1 visa is (fees are subject to change):
- Application fee for I-20 payable to FTTA ($30.00)
- For those outside the U.S.: Non-immigrant visa application processing fee ($131.00)
- For those inside the U.S. with a valid non-immigrant status: Adjudication fee ($300.00)
- SEVIS fee ($200.00)
- Visa issuance fee (varies by country)
U.S. embassies in different countries may have different requirements for the M-1 application. Please make sure to read the requirements for the M-1 visa application on the website of the local U.S. embassy or consulate from which the applicant is applying.

The FTTA can only issue an I-20 to international applicants whose application to the FTTA has been approved and who have submitted the following documentation (also listed on the Applicant Cover Page):

I-20 Information Form
Statement of Financial Responsibility and all necessary supporting documents
Copy of transcript or diploma
Proof of English Proficiency
$30 Processing Fee

As a reminder, in order to remain in good coordination with the other training centers, we will only issue an I-20 to applicants from countries that do not have a training center. Applicants must have a strong grasp of the English language in reading, writing, and speaking. English proficiency will be tested before the issuance of the I-20 through the TOEFL exam and a phone interview. In order to give adequate time for the processing of the FTTA application, the issuing of the I-20, and the application for the M-1 visa, we encourage international applicants to turn in their FTTA application as soon as possible and not later than June 15, 2010 (for applicants intending to come for Fall term 2010, which begins August 16, 2010).

Please refer to the International Applicant Checklist for further details. Please direct any inquiries to visa@ftta.org. We are so thankful to the Lord for taking this significant step.