The US M2 visa is issued to the spouse and children of persons holding an M1 visa. So if your spouse or parents have an M1 visa, you are eligible for an M2 visa. The US M1 visa is a type of student visa issued to individuals who intend to participate in vocational programs. In this article, we will discuss the application process for the US M2 visa, requirements, costs, extension procedure, and more.
What are the requirements for an M2 visa?
Only the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the M1 visa holders can apply for this visa. You must also show that you do not intend to reside permanently in the United States and return to your home country. M2 visa holders (similar to F2 visas)have the following benefits:
- Children can study in primary or secondary schools.
- Holders of this visa can enroll in recreational and vocational courses.
- They can travel in and out of the United States as long as their visa is valid.
On the other hand, holders of this visa face the following restrictions:
- They are not allowed to work in the United States.
- They cannot apply for admission to a university.
- The spouse of M1 visa holders cannot study full-time.
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US M2 Visa
How to apply for an M2 visa?
To apply for this visa, you must provide the following documents:
1. Form DS-160
This form is available online and contains questions about your personal information and the purpose of your trip to the United States. After completing this form, a confirmation page or barcode will appear that you must save.
2. Valid passport
The passport validity must be at least 6 months more than the expiration date of the visa.
3. Applicant’s photo
For more information on visa photo specifications, refer to “What are the US Visa Photo Requirements?“.
4. Documents that specify your relationship with the principal visa holder
If you are the M1 visa holder’s spouse, you must show other materials in addition to the marriage certificate, such as a wedding invitation card and wedding photos. In the case of children, a birth certificate is required.
5. Proof of financial status
You must show that you have sufficient funds to pay for your stay in the United States.
6. Proof of payment with the SEVIS Fee Receipt I-901
7. A copy of the Principal Applicant’s valid visa
Not only must M1 visa holders be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program or SEVIS, but their family members applying for an M2 visa must also be registered in this system. This must be done by an institution that has accepted the principal visa holder.
You need to schedule your interview. After you have made this appointment, you will obtain a confirmation letter that you need to bring on the day of your interview. On the interview day, you must bring some documents with you. You will be asked some questions about your background, education, and purpose of your trip to the United States. You must talk about your relationship with the principal visa holder.
What is the validity period of the M2 visa?
As long as the principal visa holders are allowed to stay in the United States, their dependents can also reside in the United States. The primary visa holder’s validity period also depends on the program in which he/she participated.
Can the holder of this visa extend his/her stay?
Yes. A visa extension is allowed if the holder of the principal visa extends his/her residence. Holders of M2 visas must submit Form I-539 Application To Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status to the USCIS to extend their stay. You must apply for a visa renewal at least 15 days before your visa validity in the United States expires (but not more than 60).
Let’s sum up …
In this article, we covered essential issues regarding the US M2 visa, such as the application process, its requirements, the validity period, and how to renew it. On the Visa Library website, you can learn about other US student visas like F1 visas as well as ways to immigrate to other countries. In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences in comments is a great help for applicants.
FAQs
No, you may not work in the US under the M2 visa.
When you want to study in a non-academic or vocational course in the US.
No, you can change your status to 1B or the O1 visa and then apply for Green Card.
As long as the M1 visa holder can stay in the US.
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- Max-B.
- 2 Comments
My passport has four months validity. Can I apply for a US M2 visa?
Hey there.
Thanks for leaving a comment on our website. To be eligible to apply for any type of visa, your passport should have at least six months of validity.