Can my spouse and children come with me on an F-1 visa, and can they work or study?

F-1 students can bring a spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the United States in F-2 dependent status. Their status is tied to yours: if your F-1 status is extended, their F-2 status is extended as well, and they generally do not need to seek a separate extension as long as you maintain your student status.

F-2 dependents are not authorized to work in the United States. They can engage in study at an SEVP-certified school only if enrolled in less than a full course of study; if an F-2 dependent wants to pursue a full course of study above the elementary or secondary level, they would generally need to change status to F-1 (or M-1). Children in F-2 status can attend elementary and secondary school.