International Students & McKinnon BTC

McKinnon Body Therapy Center welcomes students from all over the world, enriching the diversity of our training. To become an international student here at our school, you will need an M-1 visa. McKinnon Body Therapy Center is authorized to issue I-20 documents for M-1 visas.

In order to obtain an M-1 visa, you will need to apply to become a student at McKinnon Body Therapy Center. International students can apply for the following programs:

  • 250-hour Massage Practitioner Program: Swedish Massage & Asian Systems (must be completed in 3 months)
  • 500-hour Massage Therapist Program: Swedish Massage, Asians Systems, and a combination of either 150-hour Sports/Deep Tissue or 150-hour Touch, Health & Common Conditions with electives of your choice totaling 100 hours (must be completed within 6 months)
  • 1000-hour Professional Bodyworker Program: Swedish Massage, Asians Systems: a combination of either 150-hour Sports/Deep Tissue or 150-hour Touch, Health & Common Conditions with electives of your choice totaling 100 hours; and an additional 500 hours from a combination of four of our advanced tracks (must be completed within 12 months)

To apply, you will need to:

  1. Fill out an application package
  2. Pay a $50 non-refundable application fee (money order, traveler's check, or credit card ONLY. Note, that if you pay with a credit card, you will receive a receipt via e-mail, please include the receipt in your application package).
  3. Provide proof of English language proficiency.
  4. Provide proof of sufficient funds.
  5. Write a 300 word essay.
  6. Schedule a phone interview with the International Student Advisor.

Once you are accepted, you will be issued an I-20. To apply for your M-1 visa, you will need to:

  1. Schedule a visa appointment with the US embassy in your home country. For a list of US embassies, please visit the US Embassy website.
  2. Pay a SEVIS fee (I-904) through the US Immigration and Customs website. NOTE: You will need to bring the receipt along with the rest of your documentation for your visa interview.
  3. Fill out an Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160 BEFORE your interview. For more information, visit the DS-160 website.

At your visa appointment, you will need the following:

  • Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students. You and the school official must sign the I-20 form
  • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160
  • A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States
  • One 2x2 passport photograph
  • The SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

The process of obtaining a student visa can take a little while. Be sure to complete all document with the greatest care — incorrect information will result in delay or even denial of your visa. We are happy to assist you with any questions regarding the application process. Once approved, you will need to report to the school's international student advisor immediately after entering the US. Failure to do so will result in termination of your student status.

For any further information, please e-mail us at

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