Dependents
Your spouse and/or minor child (unmarried and under 21 years old) are your dependents and may legally accompany you to the United States or join you in the United States while you study. They must apply for either an F-2 visa if you have an F-1 visa or an M-2 visa if you have an M-1 visa.
Can I bring my dependents with me?
Make sure that your designated school official (DSO) knows that you would like to bring your dependents with you. When you inform the DSO that your dependents will be accompanying you to the United States, the DSO will then issue a Form I-20 for each of your dependents.
Many schools also have a separate form you need to fill out in order to obtain a Form I-20 for your dependents. Before you apply for an F-2 or M-2 visa for your spouse or child, you should understand the visa limitations on your dependents.
F-2 and M-2 dependents:
- Are in legal immigration status as long as you maintain status, throughout your program of study and any authorized period of OPT after completion
- May depart and re-enter the United States with proper documentation
- May not work
- Are not eligible for Social Security numbers (SSNs)
- May study full-time in a primary or secondary school, if under the age of 21
- May study incidental to status (may not earn or work toward a degree or certification), if over the age of 21
- Should obtain an updated Form I-20 from the DSO if any information about you changes
- May file for a change of status (via Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status”) to F-1 or M-1 status if the adult dependent wants to study full-time.
Pre-College Student Enrollment
Students as young as six years old can be issued F-1 visas to attend an SEVP-certified school in the United States, but there are strict limitations. For more information on Kindergarten to Grade 12 students, please click here.
