For international students heading to the United States in 2025 to pursue vocational or non-academic studies under the M-1 visa, there’s good news: your loved ones don’t have to stay behind. The M-2 visa, a nonimmigrant visa tailored for dependents, allows spouses and unmarried children under 21 to join M-1 visa holders during their educational adventure. As of April 4, 2025, with vocational programs set to kick off across the U.S., this visa offers families a chance to stay united while the primary student hones skills in fields like mechanics, cosmetology, or aviation. Here’s everything you need to know about the M-2 visa and how it works in 2025.
What Is the M-2 Visa?
The M-2 visa is a companion to the M-1 visa, which is issued to individuals enrolled in full-time vocational or non-academic programs at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Unlike the F-1 visa for academic studies, the M-1 focuses on practical, hands-on training. The M-2 visa extends this opportunity to family members, ensuring that spouses and minor children (unmarried and under 21) can live with the student in the U.S. for the duration of their program. It’s a nonimmigrant visa, meaning it’s temporary and tied directly to the M-1 holder’s status—when the student’s visa expires, so does the M-2.
Eligibility and Key Features
To qualify for an M-2 visa in 2025, you must be the spouse or an unmarried child under 21 of an M-1 visa holder. The primary student must already be accepted into an SEVP-approved vocational school and have their M-1 visa process underway or approved. Each M-2 dependent needs their own Form I-20, issued by the student’s school, which confirms their eligibility as a dependent. The visa’s validity mirrors the M-1 holder’s study period, typically up to one year, though extensions are possible if the program exceeds that timeframe (capped at three years total).
What can M-2 holders do in the U.S.? They can live with the M-1 student, travel in and out of the country with a valid visa, and, for children, attend school from kindergarten through 12th grade. However, there are restrictions: M-2 visa holders cannot work under any circumstances, and adult dependents (spouses) are limited to part-time study at SEVP-certified schools without pursuing a degree. For full-time study, they’d need to switch to an F-1 or M-1 visa, which requires a separate application and often a return to their home country.
How to Apply for the M-2 Visa in 2025
Applying for the M-2 visa follows a process similar to the M-1, streamlined through the U.S. Department of State and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
- Get the Form I-20: The M-1 student’s school issues an individual Form I-20 for each dependent, listing them as M-2 applicants.
- Pay the SEVIS Fee: A $350 SEVIS I-901 fee per dependent is required, payable at least three days before the visa interview. Keep thereceipt—it’s essential for the application.
- Complete Form DS-160: Each M-2 applicant submits this online nonimmigrant visa application, uploading a photo and printing the confirmation page.
- Pay the Visa Fee: The standard application fee is $185 per person, though additional issuance fees may apply depending on your country.
- Schedule and Attend the Interview: Book an appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Bring passports, Form I-20s, fee receipts, proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificates), and financial documents showing the M-1 holder can support the family.
- Await Processing: Processing times vary by location, but applying early—up to 365 days before the M-1 program starts—is recommended. Dependents can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the course begins.
Life on an M-2 Visa: Opportunities and Limits
Once in the U.S., M-2 visa holders enjoy the chance to experience American life alongside the M-1 student. Kids can enroll in public or private schools, gaining access to a new educational system, while spouses can explore part-time courses like language classes or hobby-based training. The family can travel freely within the U.S. and re-enter as long as their visas remain valid. After the M-1 program ends, a 30-day grace period allows time to wrap up and depart—though no work or study is permitted during this window.
The trade-off? Employment is off-limits. M-2 holders cannot apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), unlike some other dependent visa categories (e.g., J-2). This means the M-1 student’s financial resources must cover all living expenses, a point consular officers scrutinize during the visa interview. Proving sufficient funds—often through bank statements or sponsorship letters—is critical to approval.
Challenges and Considerations
The M-2 visa isn’t without hurdles. The inability to work can strain family finances, especially in high-cost areas. Spouses eager to study full-time face a complex process to change status, often requiring a trip home to apply for an F-1 visa. And if the M-1 student falls out of status—say, by dropping below full-time enrollment—the entire family’s legal standing is jeopardized. Staying compliant with SEVIS reporting and visa terms is non-negotiable.
For 2025, processing delays could also pose a challenge. Post-pandemic backlogs linger at some consulates, so families should check wait times via the U.S. Department of State’s website and apply well in advance. Canadians and Bermudians, however, catch a break—they don’t need visas, just valid I-20s at the border.
Why It Matters in 2025
As vocational training gains traction globally, the M-1 and M-2 visas offer a practical pathway for families to pursue opportunity together. Whether it’s a spouse supporting a partner’s dream of becoming a certified mechanic or kids adapting to a new school system, the M-2 visa keeps families connected. With the first M-1 programs of 2025 starting soon, now’s the time to plan—ensuring that when the student steps into the classroom, their loved ones are right there beside them, sharing the journey.
