A nonimmigrant is someone who temporarily comes to the United States for a specific purpose. People who wish to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies are usually admitted to the United States in one of two nonimmigrant categories. The M-1 category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training. The F-1 category includes academic students and students in language training programs. For more information on academic studies in the United States.

You first must apply to study at a USCIS-approved school in the United States.

(Dean International, Inc. is an approved school).  If you are accepted, the school should send you USCIS Form I-20 M-N/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status - For Vocational Students). If you require a visa, then you should take the USCIS Form I-20 to the nearest U.S. consulate to obtain a student visa. Only bring the USCIS Form I-20 from the school you plan on attending for visa processing at the U.S. consulate. You must also prove to the consulate that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the United States.  Dean International’s DSO will assist with this process.

Students can stay in the United States for up to three months on a tourist visa (not a business visa.) For periods longer then three months, an I-20 (Student Visa) is needed. For purpose of full-time study, the I-20 can be extended for up to one year or for as long as you are enrolled as a full-time student in a vocational program.  To retain visa status, students must maintain a minimum of 25 hours of school activity per week.

You first must apply to study at a USCIS-approved school in the United States.

(Dean International, Inc. is an approved school). If you are accepted, the school should send you USCIS Form I-20 M-N/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status - For Vocational Students). You must submit this form, your I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record), and a completed USCIS Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) to the USCIS. You must also prove that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the United States.  Dean International’s DSO will assist with this process.

You should apply to extend your stay in the United States if your studies will take longer than the date listed on your I-20 ID or your vocational program lasts longer than a year. You should complete USCIS Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) and send it to USCIS at least 15 (but not more than 60) days before your authorized stay in the country expires. You should also submit your USCIS Form I-20 ID to the USCIS at the same time.

Dean International’s DSO will assist with this process.

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may come with you to the United States in M-2 nonimmigrant status. They should go with you to the U.S. embassy or consulate when you apply for your student (M-1) visa. They should be prepared to prove their relationship to you. If your spouse or children are following to join you at a later date, they should provide the U.S. embassy staff with a copy of your USCIS Form I-20 ID and proof of their relationship to you. The M-2 status of your family will be dependent upon your status as the M-1 vocational student. This means that if you change your status, your family must change their status as well. If you lose your status, your family will also lose their status.

Travel within the United States can be accomplished either by car, long distance bus or, by scheduled air carrier. The U.S. airlines are extremely efficient and prices are relatively low. In the low-cost category, an air ticket from Miami to New York can cost approximately $200.00.

Students may leave the United States and be readmitted after temporary absences. When making your travel plans, please remember that you must be a full-time student to keep your M-1 student status. Upon your return to the United States, you should provide immigration inspectors with:

• A valid passport.
• A valid M-1 entry visa stamped in the passport (if necessary).
• A current USCIS Form I-20 ID signed by your designated school official (you should have the designated school official sign your USCIS Form I-20 each time you wish to temporarily travel outside the United States).
• A new USCIS Form I-20 M-N/ID if there has been any substantive changes in your course of study or place of study.
• Proof of your financial support.

General Questions:

Students with previous flight experience should present photo static copies of licenses and a summary of all flight time as recorded in their flight log records. The summary should include total flight time, dual and pilot-in-command hours, night, instrument and cross country hours and types of aircraft flown.

Foreign students do receive credit for flying done outside the USA. A foreign pilot’s license may be exchanged for U.S. reciprocal license with certain restrictions.

Office Operation Hours:

Monday- Saturday                      9:00am- 7:30pm

Sunday                                     9:00am- 5:00pm

Dean International operates a flight training facility in Kendall-Tamiami Airport (KTMB), which is located approximately ten miles southwest of the center of Miami, Florida.  Kendall-Tamiami (KTMB) has three runways with two parallel runways 150 feet by 5000 feet; it is equipped with an ILS and NDB approach. Kendall-Tamiami has an excellent FAA control tower.

It is not necessary to speak fluent English at Dean International. However, English is the standard language of international aviation. Therefore, communication and books are in English and reasonable fluency is required for pilot training. Students, at entry, will be required to enroll in English and communications class.  

There is a wide variety of housing available in the Miami area. Students staying for several months usually find accommodations with other students.  We can also recommend student housing which is offered by someone we know who is offering it for $6000 for eight months.  For less time contact him directly to work out special pricing.  His contact info. is Naushad Imam and his email is: support@visionflighttraining.com His accomodations also include transportation to and from the school in the price.

There are many good restaurants in the Miami area and prices are reasonable. It is possible to eat breakfast in a fast food restaurant for $5.00. Lunch in a similar restaurant can be purchased for between $10.00 and $15.00. Dinner can be obtained for the same amount of money. Students eating at home, preparing their own food, find it possible to live with a food budget of $5.00 to $10.00 per day.

During the summer months the temperature averages about 85F (32C.) In the winter, it averages 70F (21C.) Heavy clothing is not needed. Florida is an informal state and leisure clothing can be worn most of the time.

The Miami area is a vacation spot with a large number of different things to do. Beaches are excellent for swimming. There are a large number of sports facilities in the area, as well as theaters, movie houses, and various exhibitions.

You and your spouse and children may not accept employment. However, you may apply for practical training after you complete your studies. If approved, you will be allowed to have one month of practical training for every four months of study you have completed. You will be limited to six months total practical training time.

Nobody can determine exactly what the future will hold. As with other industries, aviation has its ups and downs. However, at time of writing, the indications are that the major European carriers are going to be facing a serious shortage of fixed-wing pilots within the next three to five years.

The medium of currency is the U.S. Dollar, and there are several facilities in the area for the changing of foreign currency, and local banks. ATM (Tellers) are present in all shopping areas, grocery shops.