M-2 — Dependent of M-1 Vocational Student

United States•North America

Open

M-2 — Dependent of M-1 Vocational Student

Residency Pathway Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

14-56 days

Application Fee

185 USD

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Spouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an M-1 visa holder. Cannot work or study.

691 chars — 3 tight paragraphs: P1=256, P2=286, P3=145

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United States

F-1 — Student Visa

ValidityAdmitted for 'Duration of Status' (D/S), which covers the length of the academic program plus a 60-day grace period.

Processing14-56 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a valid M-1 nonimmigrant student

M-1 principal must be maintaining valid student status with an active I-20

Proof of qualifying relationship to M-1 holder

Sufficient financial support must be demonstrated by the M-1 principal

Intent to depart the US when M-1 principal's status ends

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (must remain valid at least 6 months beyond intended US stay)

DS-160 application confirmation page

US visa-compliant photo

MRV fee payment receipt

Copy of M-1 principal's valid I-20 and M-1 visa

Proof of relationship: marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for children)

Evidence of M-1 principal's financial ability to support dependents during stay

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows immediate family to accompany or join M-1 vocational student in the US
Unmarried children under 21 may attend US public or private K–12 school
Status duration is straightforward — mirrors the M-1 principal's authorized period
Can travel in and out of the US while M-1 principal remains in valid status

Worth Knowing

M-2 holders are NOT authorized to work in the United States under any circumstances
Adult M-2 dependents (spouses) may not engage in full-time postsecondary study; a separate F or M visa is required for that
Status is wholly dependent on M-1 principal maintaining valid student status
If M-1 principal's program ends, is terminated, or lapses, M-2 status is simultaneously affected
Must depart within 30 days of the M-1 principal's program end date
Failure to depart timely voids the visa under INA Section 222(g), impacting future US visa eligibility

Application Process

Confirm M-1 principal is enrolled and holds a valid I-20 issued by a SEVP-certified vocational institution

Complete Form DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov

Pay the $185 MRV nonimmigrant visa application fee

Schedule a visa interview at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate

Attend the interview with all required supporting documents

Application Forms

DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status	Fill online

Verified Claims (36)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	Confirm M-1 principal is enrolled and holds a valid I-20 issued by a SEVP-certified vocational insti…	travel.state.gov
Blockers	—	travel.state.gov
Can Convert To	us-f-1	travel.state.gov
Categories	family	travel.state.gov
Code	us-m-2	travel.state.gov
Considerations · 4	Must depart within 30 days of the M-1 principal's program end date	studyinthestates.dhs.gov
Criminal Policy	Standard nonimmigrant inadmissibility rules apply under INA; criminal history may result in denial o…	travel.state.gov
Dependent Visa	Dependents allowed	travel.state.gov

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