Dependents are the spouses and children of F-1 and M-1 students who are in the United States under the F-2 or M-2 nonimmigrant status.

The status of F-2 or M-2 individuals depends on the status of their F-1 or M-1 spouse or parent. This means a person cannot be admitted into the United States under an F-2 or M-2 category unless their parent or spouse is an F-1 or M-1 student.

Unlike their spouses or parents, F-2 and M-2 individuals are not in the United States to complete a program of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. Instead, their status is granted because of their relationship to an F-1 or M-1 student. This is why dependents may only remain in status for as long as their F-1 or M-1 parent or spouse maintains their status.

Dependents may not work while they are in the United States; however, under certain conditions, they may study. The Department of Homeland Security amended its regulation and now allows adult dependents to study part-time at an SEVP-certified school. If an adult dependent wants to study full time, they must apply for and receive a change of status to become an F-1 or M-1 student.

Minor dependents, meaning those who are under the age of 18, may study full time. In fact, many states require that minors who are within a certain age range and reside in the state attend school. Therefore, dependent minors enrolling in school at the kindergarten through 12^th grade education levels are permitted to study full time and are not required to attend an SEVP-certified school.

For more information about the rules that apply for maintaining F-2 and M-2 status, visit the Dependents page on Study in the States.

Know an F-1 or M-1 student who wants to bring a spouse or child to the United States? Share this article with them on social media, using the hashtag #StudyintheStates.