Some F-1 and M-1 students want to bring their families while they study in the United States. As an F-1 or M-1 student, you can bring your dependents (your spouse and/or minor, unmarried child) on an F-2 or M-2 visa, respectively. Many students are bringing their dependents with them each year. For example, the Arab News reports that today, there are more than 36,000 Saudis accompanying F and/or M students to the United States.

As always, you must maintain your F or M student status. Your dependents will be in status if you maintain your own. If you bring your dependents, here are a few reminders: 

• Notify your designated school official (DSO) as soon as you decide that you want to bring dependents. The DSO will need to issue a Form I-20, “Certificate for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status,” for each dependent.
• Your school may require you to fill out additional forms.
• Your dependents are not eligible for employment or a Social Security number.
• An F-2 minor, unmarried child can study in elementary or secondary schools (kindergarten through twelfth grade).
• An F-2 dependent who wants to study full-time, other than a child in primary or secondary school, must apply for a change of status.
• F-2 and M-2 dependents can engage in study at an SEVP-certified school in the United States as long as they are enrolled in less than a full course of study. Read more about this in the Adjustments to Designated School Official Limits Frequently Asked Questions.

Visit our dependents resource page for more information.

Resources

• Dependents
• Maintaining Your Status
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Change of Status Fact Sheet
• Student and Exchange Visitor Program – Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?

Sources:

• 8 CFR 214.2(f)(3)
• 8 CFR 214.2(f)(15)(ii)