Maggie Flanigan Studio proudly maintains an international Visa Program, through which students from outside the US can receive M-1 Visa status to enroll in our Professional Actor Training Program (PATP). International students must follow the regular application and interview process before the visa process can begin.
Prospective students will have the option to choose “International Student” on our applications page, and upload/verify the following:
- Clear photocopy of current passport.
- Proof of anticipated source of income (a bank statement or letter from a parent, guardian, or sponsor confirming financial support sufficient to enable the applicant to remain in the United States during the term of study). Please note that international students may not work while living in the United States.
- Verify command of the English language.
Once the application, required documentation and application fee are submitted, an interview will be scheduled. Upon acceptance, the student will complete enrollment documents, pay the SEVIS admin fee of $600 and the deposit for the PATP. Once the documents and fee are received, MFS will issue the student’s I-20 form and official Acceptance Letter into the Professional Actor Training Program, which the student will then use to apply for an M-1 visa at the embassy in their home country.
HOW LONG WILL MY VISA BE VALID?
An M-1 visa is valid for one calendar year. A student may choose to renew or extend their visa, if invited back for Second Year. There is a 30-day grace period before and after your Program Start and End Dates, during which you are allowed to travel within the US, move into a new apartment, etc.
CAN I GET A VISA FOR THE ACTING ONLY OR CORE PROGRAM?
The only program that meets the SEVIS and USCIS requirements is the Professional Actor Training Program. All accepted international students are automatically enrolled in this program.
Maggie Flanigan Studio is authorized by the United States Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enroll non-immigrant students who obtain M-1 class visas. As such, MFS is authorized to issue Form I-20s so that our foreign students may obtain M-1 class visas from the United States Government.
HOW LONG DOES THE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE?
Embassies and Consulates in every country process applications on their own timeline. However, if you get your paperwork to our Front Office at least 2 months before the beginning of classes, you should have plenty of time. You may begin the process as early as five months before the beginning of classes. You can also contact your local embassy to inquire how long it will take after receiving your I-20. In some cases, it is possible to have your visa application expedited, but again, that will depend on the embassy.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“Maggie Flanigan is uncompromising, her instincts as a teacher are razor sharp. She doesn’t miss a beat”
Sam Rockwell
“Maggie Flanigan has been one of the most important people in my artistic life. I want to work with Maggie trained actors. As an actor myself, she is my first source. I do not say this lightly, if you are serious about acting, and willing to work very hard, then go to Maggie.”
Stephen Adly Guirgis
“Maggie helped me find my sense of truth, an actors greatest asset. Maggie is an expert at instilling that vital ingredient, which allows an actor’s potential to become limitless. My work will forever be rooted in the clarity and honesty she helped me develop.”
