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Student Visa USA Requirement – Complete Guide for International Students
The United States continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for international students, offering world-class education, diverse programs, and global networking opportunities. Whether you’re planning to study business, engineering, or the performing arts, you must secure the correct student visa to legally enter and remain in the U.S. for your academic program.
This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about the student visa USA requirement. We’ll explain the difference between F-1 visas and M-1 visas, detail the application process, outline documentation, and show you how to fulfill eligibility criteria.
If you’re an aspiring actor, this guide also highlights how you can train at one of the best acting colleges in Los Angeles, supported by an F-1 or M-1 visa.
Study Acting in Los Angeles with a Student Visa
Dreaming of launching your acting career in Hollywood? Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory is at the center of it all.
Here’s why international students choose our conservatory:
🎭 World-renowned acting faculty
🎓 Accredited programs qualifying for student visas
🌎 International student-friendly environment
🎬 Real-world opportunities through Optional Practical Training (OPT)
✅ F-1 and M-1 visa sponsorship with I-20 issuance
🎓 Accredited programs qualifying for student visas
🌎 International student-friendly environment
🎬 Real-world opportunities through Optional Practical Training (OPT)
✅ F-1 and M-1 visa sponsorship with I-20 issuance
F-1 Visa Students:
If you’re accepted into our full-time program, we will issue you an I-20, which allows you to apply for an F-1 visa.
If you’re taking online classes from your home country, no visa is required.
If you’re accepted into our full-time program, we will issue you an I-20, which allows you to apply for an F-1 visa.
If you’re taking online classes from your home country, no visa is required.
Visa Options Available:
We offer both M-1 student visas and F-1 student visas. Graduates are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work legally in the U.S. in their field of study.
We offer both M-1 student visas and F-1 student visas. Graduates are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work legally in the U.S. in their field of study.
Types of U.S. Student Visas
There are three main visa types that allow international students to study in the United States:
Visa Type | Purpose | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
F-1 | Academic study | College, university, high school, language programs |
M-1 | Vocational study | Technical or non-academic training like flight school or acting |
J-1 | Exchange visitor | Cultural and educational exchange programs, internships, fellowships |
This guide focuses on F-1 and M-1 visas—the two most relevant visa types for international students studying acting, arts, or academic subjects in the U.S.
Basic Requirements to Apply for a U.S. Student Visa
To apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa, you must:
- Be accepted into a SEVP-certified school (like the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory).
- Receive a Form I-20 from your school’s Designated School Official (DSO).
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- Complete the DS-160 online visa application form.
- Schedule and attend a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself while in the U.S.
- Show intent to return to your home country after completing your studies.
What Is Form I-20?
Form I-20 is a certificate of eligibility issued by the U.S. school you plan to attend. This form is required to:
- Pay the SEVIS fee
- Schedule your visa interview
- Enter the U.S. as a student
Each I-20 contains information about your course of study, tuition costs, program start and end dates, and SEVIS ID number. It must be signed by you and the DSO.
SEVIS Fee Payment
Once you receive your Form I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at fmjfee.com.
- F-1 and M-1 visa applicants: $350
- J-1 visa applicants: $220
Print your receipt—it is required for your visa interview.
DS-160 Application
The DS-160 is the official U.S. visa application form for all non-immigrant visa applicants.
Steps to complete it:
- Visit: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/
- Fill in personal details, school info, and background
- Upload a U.S.-compliant passport photo
- Submit and print the confirmation page
Schedule Your Visa Interview
After completing the DS-160, you’ll schedule a visa interview at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Check local wait times and availability.
Documents to bring to your interview:
- Valid passport (6+ months beyond your stay)
- Form I-20
- DS-160 confirmation page
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Acceptance letter from the school
- Proof of funds (bank statements, sponsor letter)
- Academic transcripts and test scores
Visa Interview Questions to Expect
The consular officer will assess your intent to study, financial ability, and post-study plans. Be ready to answer:
- Why did you choose this school?
- What program will you study?
- How will you pay for tuition and living expenses?
- Do you plan to return home after graduation?
Confidence, honesty, and preparation are key.
Difference Between F-1 Visas and M-1 Visas
Understanding the distinction between these visas is crucial:
Feature | F-1 Visa | M-1 Visa |
|---|---|---|
Type of Study | Academic or language programs | Vocational/technical training |
Work Authorization | On-campus + OPT + CPT | Limited to PT after completion |
Length of Stay | Duration of program + 60 days | Up to 1 year; max 3 years with extensions |
Transfer Options | Flexible | Very limited |
OPT Eligibility | Yes | No (only PT) |
At the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, we issue F-1 visas and M-1 visas depending on the nature of your acting program.
Financial Requirements for a Student Visa
You must prove you can cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration of your program.
Typical documents include:
- Personal bank statements
- Affidavit of support
- Sponsor’s bank letters
- Scholarships or financial aid letters
The Form I-20 will include an estimated cost of attendance. Be sure your financial documents meet or exceed this amount.
Working While on a Student Visa
F-1 Visa Work Options:
- On-Campus Employment: Up to 20 hours/week during school, full-time during breaks
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Work integral to your curriculum
- OPT (Optional Practical Training): Up to 12 months post-completion
M-1 Visa Work Options:
- No work allowed during study
- Practical Training (PT) after program (in-field, limited duration)
At our acting conservatory, students with F-1 visas can use OPT to:
- Audition professionally
- Work on film or TV sets
- Gain experience in theaters or studios
Transferring Schools or Changing Programs
F-1 students can easily transfer between SEVP-certified institutions by obtaining a new I-20. M-1 students must file Form I-539 and meet stricter transfer conditions.
If you’re planning to switch to a different school or program, speak with your DSO and make sure you do it legally.
Extending Your Stay
F-1 students can extend their stay by:
- Enrolling in a new program (with a new I-20)
- Applying for OPT or CPT
- Changing to a different non-immigrant status
M-1 students may apply for extensions, but they are limited to a total stay of 3 years, including all extensions and practical training.
Why Choose the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory?
We offer international students a truly immersive education in the performing arts:
- 🎓 SEVP-approved programs for F-1 and M-1 visa eligibility
- 🎬 Acting classes in Meisner, Adler, Stanislavski, and more
- 🌐 International support staff and cultural integration assistance
- 📃 Assistance with I-20 issuance, SEVIS registration, and visa application
- 💼 OPT assistance for eligible graduates to work in Hollywood and beyond
From training to career opportunities, we support every step of your journey.
What Happens After Graduation?
After completing your acting or academic program:
- F-1 students may begin Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- M-1 students may begin Practical Training (PT)
- You may transfer to another school or change your visa status if eligible
- You must depart the U.S. within the grace period unless pursuing further education or OPT
Final Thoughts
Navigating the student visa USA requirement process can be overwhelming, but understanding each step makes it easier. Whether you’re applying for an F-1 visa for an academic program or an M-1 visa for vocational training, the process starts with choosing the right school.
At the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, we’ve helped international students from around the globe pursue their passion and achieve their dreams in Hollywood.
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IN-PERSON ACTING CLASSES
We offer acting classes in Los Angeles to help you hone your craft & jumpstart your career.
Our acting school teaches every acting technique: Meisner technique, Lee Strasberg’s method, Stella Adler, Stanislavski’s method, Uta Hagen, and the Chekhov technique.
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Learn to develop a solid acting technique and foundation. We focus on fun improvisational games, auditioning techniques, and working on scenes and monologues across comedy and drama.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Study Acting or Filmmaking in Hollywood.
F1 Student visa and M1 visa USA for applicants wishing to study the conservatory program
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We offer customizable short-term Acting Programs that can be tailored to fit your budget and the length of your stay in Los Angeles.
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Our Mission
The Michelle Danner Acting School’s philosophy is that artists can draw upon all different acting techniques & form an individual “Golden toolbox” to use when approaching a role or a scene, whether it be for film, television, or theater. The acting school’s acting techniques are based on Meisner, Strasberg, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen & the Stanislavsky acting Technique.
Michelle Danner’s alumni include Penelope Cruz, Seth MacFarlane, Salma Hayek, Henry Cavill, Zooey Deschanel, Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Chris Martin, Michael Peña, Michelle Rodriguez, Kate Del Castillo and many others.
The acting school offers classes for all levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
• Classes include:
• Acting for Film
• Scene Study
• Cold Reading
• Musical Theater
• Movement
• Voice and Speech
We are one of the elite acting schools in California, known for training successful actors.
A variety of acting classes are offered in Los Angeles to help students hone their craft and jumpstart their careers.
What makes us different
Our acting program differs from other acting schools in Los Angeles, since we teach every acting technique & method, including the Meisner technique, Lee Strasberg’s method, Stella Adler, Stanislavski’s method & Uta Hagen technique.
Online Acting Classes
Scene Study & Monologues |
Meisner acting technique |
Cold Read Auditioning |
Improvisation
- Develop a strong acting foundation.
- Learn to make powerful acting choices
Acting Techniques
• The Actor’s Golden Box (acting technique) | Meisner Acting Technique | Stella Adler Acting Technique | Uta Hagen Acting Technique | Stanislavski Acting Technique | Training & Workshops: | Audition Training Classes & Workshops (Film & Television) | Scene Study Classes & Script Analysis | Improvisation | Performance & Preparation: | Acting Demo Reels | Voice & Speech | General American Accent & Dialects | Industry & Career Guidance: | Breaking into Hollywood: The Business of Acting | Coaching Options: | Private Coaching (Audition Coaching, Dialogue Coaching, On-Set Coaching) | Online Coaching & Private Acting Classes
Contact us
Call us to find out about the best acting classes in Los Angeles and to learn more about our best acting teachers in Los Angeles, 310-392-0815 or email us at [email protected]
Unlock your full potential as an actor—enroll today and take the first step toward mastering your craft with world-class training and personalized coaching
Contact Info
- 10820 Washington blvd. Culver CIty, CA 90232
- 310-392-0815
- Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
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