M-1 Visa and I-20 for Flight Training: Step by Step (2026)
If you're not a US citizen or permanent resident and want to train as a professional pilot in the United States, you will almost certainly need an M-1 student visa. The process has five parts: the school's I-20, the SEVIS fee, the visa application and interview, the TSA security check, and arrival. Start 4 to 6 months before you want to fly.
This guide walks through each step in order, what it costs, and the mistakes that delay students most often.
We're not immigration lawyers. Visa rules and fees change, so always check the latest details with your school's designated school official (DSO) and the US embassy or consulate where you'll apply.
The short answer
Visa type: M-1, the visa for vocational training, which includes flight training.
Who issues the key document: your flight school, which must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue the Form I-20.
Government fees: roughly $675 to $925 in total, depending on your country.
Timeline: about 2 to 4 months from applying to a school to landing in the US, longer where interview waits are long.
Before you can fly: you need TSA approval as well as the visa.
Step by step
Step | What you do | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
1. Choose an SEVP-certified school | Pick a school that can issue the I-20 for your full programme | 2 to 6 weeks |
2. Apply and prove your funds | Send your application, passport copy and proof you can pay; the school issues your I-20 | 2 to 4 weeks |
3. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee | Pay online using the SEVIS number on your I-20 | 1 day |
4. Apply for the visa | Complete the DS-160 form, pay the visa fee and book your interview | Depends on your country's wait time |
5. Start TSA security approval | Register in TSA's Flight Training Security Program, pay the fee and give fingerprints | About 30 days after fingerprints |
6. Attend the interview | Take your documents to the US embassy or consulate | 1 day, then visa issued |
7. Travel to the US | Enter no more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 |
1. Choose an SEVP-certified school
Only schools certified by SEVP can issue the I-20 you need for an M-1 visa. Most are Part 141 schools, which follow an FAA-approved syllabus. Ask the school directly: "Are you SEVP-certified, and will the I-20 cover my whole programme from zero to Commercial?"
Choose carefully. M-1 students can normally only transfer to another school within their first 6 months, so you can't easily move if the school turns out to be short of aircraft or instructors.
2. Apply and prove your funds
The school must see that you can pay for training and living costs before it issues your I-20. Schools usually accept one of these:
A recent bank statement showing enough to cover the programme price and living costs
A loan approval letter from a bank
A letter of financial support from a sponsor, such as a parent, with their bank statement and ID
When the I-20 arrives, check that your name matches your passport exactly and that the programme dates are realistic.
3. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
The SEVIS fee for M-1 students is $350. Pay it online after you receive your I-20 and before your interview. Print the receipt and take it with you.
4. Apply for the visa
Complete the online DS-160 visa application, upload your photo, pay the $185 visa application fee and book an interview at the US embassy or consulate in your country. Interview wait times vary a lot between countries, so check yours early. In some countries it's the slowest part of the whole process.
5. Start TSA security approval
Every non-US citizen who trains for a pilot certificate in the US needs approval from the TSA's Flight Training Security Program before training starts. You register on the TSA portal, pay a $140 fee, then give fingerprints when TSA tells you to. Your school confirms your approval before scheduling any flights.
TSA usually decides within about 30 days of receiving your fingerprints. Since 2024, an approval lasts 5 years, so you don't need a new one for each rating. Ask your school where you should get fingerprints taken, because that affects how soon you can start flying.
6. Attend the interview
Take these to your interview:
Your passport
Your signed I-20
Your SEVIS fee receipt and DS-160 confirmation page
Proof of funds (the same evidence you gave the school)
Evidence of ties to your home country, such as family, property or a job to return to
Any previous qualifications or flying records
The officer wants to know three things: that you're a genuine student, that you can pay, and that you plan to go home after training. Answer simply and honestly about your plans.
Some US embassies and consulates now also collect a new $250 visa integrity fee when the visa is issued. It may be refundable later if you follow all visa rules, but the refund process isn't finalised yet. Check whether your embassy charges it.
7. Travel to the US
You can enter the US up to 30 days before the start date on your I-20, not earlier. Don't book non-refundable flights until your visa is in your passport. Carry your I-20 and funding documents in your hand luggage, as border officers may ask to see them.
Government fees at a glance
Fee | Amount | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
SEVIS I-901 fee | $350 | After you receive your I-20 |
Visa application fee (MRV) | $185 | When you apply for the visa |
TSA Flight Training Security Program | $140 | When you register with TSA |
Visa integrity fee | $250 where charged | When the visa is issued |
Total | About $675 to $925 |
Some countries also charge a visa issuance or "reciprocity" fee. Fingerprinting, travel and housing are extra.
Once you're in the US
Your stay is tied to your programme. M-1 students are admitted for the length of their programme plus 30 days, up to one year at a time. Zero to Commercial often takes 12 to 18 months, so you may need an extension. Your school's DSO starts this, and the total can't go past 3 years.
You can't work while you train. Budget for all your living costs before you arrive.
Practical training comes after. When you finish, you can apply for up to one month of paid practical training for every four months of full-time study, to a maximum of 6 months. For many pilots this means a short period working as a flight instructor.
Keep your status clean. Fly full-time, keep your address up to date with the school and leave on time. Overstaying can block future US visas.
Five mistakes that delay students
Starting too late. Visa interviews and TSA checks can each take weeks. Start 4 to 6 months before you want to fly.
Choosing a school only on price. You usually can't transfer after 6 months, so a cheap school that stalls you is the most expensive choice of all.
Planning for exactly 12 months. Most zero to Commercial students need longer. Make sure the school's I-20 and your funding cover the real timeline.
Booking flights before the visa arrives. Wait until the visa is in your passport.
Forgetting the TSA step. Your visa lets you into the US, but TSA approval is what lets you start flying.
What is absolutely vital here is proving long term ties to your home country. During the US Embassy interview they will look heavily into your financial means to pay for your training and entire stay in the United States but also, the possibility of you abandoning your training and becoming an overstay. Bank accounts, utility bills, property, contracts, provisional job offers etc all count towards this goal
Frequently asked questions
Can I train on a tourist visa or the Visa Waiver Program?
No, not for a full career programme. Training towards a pilot certificate as your main purpose requires a student visa.
Can I switch from M-1 to F-1 later?
No. M-1 students can't change to F-1 status from inside the US.
Do I also need an FAA medical?
Yes. You'll need an FAA medical certificate and a student pilot certificate. A first class medical is recommended for an airline career. Your school will help you arrange both, and some students get the medical before travelling to be sure they qualify.
Can I bring my family?
Your spouse and children under 21 can apply for M-2 visas. They can't work in the US, so include their costs in your proof of funds.
Get help choosing the right school
Because changing schools on an M-1 is so hard, the school you pick first matters more than anything else in this process. We're an independent placement service founded by a former Part 141 flight school COO and CEO. We match international students with vetted partner schools that issue I-20s and support students through the visa and TSA steps. Our service is free for students.
Take the 2-minute quiz or book a free call.
Sources
M1 visa flight training: the 2026 international student guide (2FlyAirborne)
TSA finalizes Flight Training Security Program (AOPA, May 2024)
TSA fingerprinting for international students (Flight School USA)
Information checked October 2026. Visa fees and rules change. Confirm current details with your school's DSO and the US embassy or consulate before you apply.
