Christian Chefs International - Christian Culinary Academy

The Christian Culinary Academy is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. The following steps are to provide general information about the steps needed to acquire an M-1 student visa. You will be assigned a Designated School Official (DSO) who will personally work with you through the entire process to attend the Christian Culinary Academy (CCA). Students from outside the United States can attend CCA by:

Having residency in the United States, or
Applying for an M-1 Student Visa

To apply for an M-1 Student Visa:

Contact Us at the Christian Culinary Academy to inform us of your intentions
Apply and get accepted to school

Before applying for the visa, you must apply for, and get accepted to CCA (See "Enrollment Process" for details and prerequisites)
Classes are taught only in English, therefore proficiency in the English language is required for international students when English is not their native language, with one of the following minimum test scores prior to acceptance:

TOEFL PBT = 525 OR iBT = 72 (minimum 17 in each section)
IELTS = 6.0
PTE = 48

Prior to acceptance, applicants must provide bank statements to demonstrate financial ability
$50 International Student Processing Fee (only for nonimmigrant applicants applying for a M-1 student visa)

Once formally accepted, request form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status" from school

At this point a student record will be created by CCA in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at U.S. Immigration

Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee

Currently the fee is $350 USD, and can be paid at www.FMJFee.com

Apply for Student Visa

Student brings their form I-20 and other required documents to local U.S. Embassy to apply for a student visa from the U.S. Department of State

(Canadian citizens are not required to attend a visa interview)

Arrive in the United States

Student arrives no more than 30 days before the program start date and present their form I-20 and valid student visa to U.S. Customs at the port of entry. Upon entry, student has exactly 1 year to depart the United States. Therefore, speak with school to discuss how early to arrive to complete the 1-year program within that period of time

Maintain Status During Program Study

Student must continue in full course of study, may not work without prior authorization, and work with CCA if they cannot finish classes before their program end date and visa expiration date

Depart the United States

Student has 30 days after completion of the program to depart, no later than 1 full year from date of arrival