Bringing International Student Relatives To The Us: What You Need

International students who wish to bring their spouse and children to the US can apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for each family member. The F-2 visa is a derivative visa category, meaning that the length of stay allowed will be equal to that of the student's own visa. To apply, students must provide proof of their relationship to their spouse and children, such as a marriage or birth certificate, along with a translation if the documents are not in English. Students must also provide a copy of their family member's SEVIS-dependent Form I-20, which is received from their school. Additionally, students are required to show that they can cover their tuition, fees, and the whole family's living expenses while in the US without having to work. If international students wish to bring parents, siblings, or children over the age of 21, these individuals must apply for a B-2 visitor visa, which allows family members to stay in the US for a maximum of six months.

F-1 visa for spouses and children

International students in the US on an F-1 visa can bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to join them in the US. The spouse and children must apply for an F-2 visa, which is a derivative visa category, meaning they can apply at the same time as the student applies for their F-1 visa.

To obtain an F-2 visa, the spouse and children must provide the following:

• A copy of the F-1 visa holder's SEVIS-dependent Form I-20, received from the school.
• A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
• Documents showing they will return to their home country, such as a return flight booking.
• Proof of relationship to the F-1 visa holder, such as a marriage or birth certificate, with an English translation if required.
• Proof that the F-1 visa holder can pay their tuition and support the family's living expenses without working.
• Evidence of ties to their home country, such as property ownership or employment.

It is important to note that F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work in the US and will not be provided with a social security number. They are, however, allowed to study part-time, and children can attend school full-time up to the age of 21.

B-2 visitor visa for parents, siblings, and adult children

If you are an international student in the US and you want to bring your parents, siblings, or adult children to visit you, they must apply for a B-2 visitor visa. This is because parents, siblings, and adult children of people in F-1 or J-1 status are not eligible for F-2 or J-2 status. The F-2 and M-2 visas are reserved for the legal spouse and minor children (under 21 years of age and unmarried) of F-1 and M-1 students.

The B-2 visitor visa allows family members to stay in the US for a maximum of six months, although they can apply for extensions if they want to remain longer. There is no specified limit on the number of extensions allowed, but the USCIS requires at least four months to process an application for extension.

To apply for a B-2 visitor visa, your relatives will need to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay)
• Proof of their relationship to you (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate)
• Proof of ties to their home country, such as evidence of economic, social, or family commitments that show they intend to return home after their temporary stay in the US
• Proof of financial support, such as a letter verifying employment and/or bank statements
• A formal letter of invitation from you, indicating the specific reason for the visit (e.g. graduation, wedding) and including information about your U.S. immigration status

It is important to note that the Visa Waiver Program allows visitors from certain countries to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa. However, individuals who enter the US under this program cannot change their status or extend their stay beyond 90 days.

Health insurance requirements

The health insurance requirements for bringing a relative to the US as an international student depend on several factors, including the university, visa type, and the specific plan's rules. Here are the health insurance requirements you need to consider:

University Requirements:

Different universities have varying health insurance policies and requirements for international students and their dependents. Some universities, like the University of Wisconsin, mandate that international students and their dependents have health insurance. They require F-1 students and their dependents to enrol in SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) or an alternative approved health insurance program. J-1 students and their J-2 dependents are required by the Department of State to have adequate health insurance.

Other universities, like those in the City University of New York (CUNY) system, do not mandate health insurance for F-1 visa holders. However, CUNY highly recommends that F-1 international students and their dependents purchase international student health insurance. The University of South Carolina automatically enrols international students in its Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan but allows them to opt for their own health insurance.

Visa Requirements:

The type of visa your relative intends to enter the US on will impact their health insurance requirements. For instance, J-1 visa exchange visitors and their dependents on J-2 visas are required by the US Department of State to have medical insurance for the duration of their program. On the other hand, there are no specific insurance requirements by the State Department for international students and their dependents on an F visa.

If your relative is visiting temporarily, they may enter on a B-2 tourist visa, which does not require health insurance. However, given the high cost of healthcare in the US, it is still recommended that visitors have some form of health insurance coverage.

Insurance Plan Requirements:

When considering health insurance plans, it's important to review the specific rules and requirements of each plan regarding dependent eligibility. Typically, dependents can include a spouse, children under a certain age (often up to 26), and sometimes other relatives like stepchildren or legally adopted children. Additionally, some plans may have different coverage options for wellness, maternity, pre-existing conditions, dental, and vision, so it's important to choose a plan that suits your relative's needs.

In conclusion, when bringing a relative to the US as an international student, it is crucial to research the health insurance requirements of the specific university, understand the visa requirements, and carefully select an insurance plan that covers your relative's unique needs.

Dependents' work restrictions

Dependents of international students in the US are subject to various restrictions, particularly regarding employment and academic enrolment. Dependents are typically defined as spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21.

The most common types of dependent visas for international students are the F-2 visa, for spouses and children of F-1 visa holders, and the J-2 visa, for dependents of J-1 exchange visitors. Dependents on F-2 visas are not permitted to work and will not be provided with a social security number. Even if employment is permitted under the terms of a different visa, there may be restrictions on the type of work, the number of hours worked, or the necessity to obtain prior authorisation.

Dependents on F-2 and M-2 visas can engage in study at an SEVP-certified school in the US, but they must be enrolled in less than a full course of study. If the adult dependent wishes to study full-time, they must file for a change of status to F-1 or M-1.

To obtain a visa for a dependent, the international student must first be admitted to a US institution and obtain an I-20 Form (or DS-2019 if they are getting a J-1 visa). The university will require documents such as a copy of the student's passport and additional financial statements showing how they will support their dependents. The university's international student office or international admissions team will manage the I-20 form requests, so this should be the first point of contact. Once the international student has obtained these forms, their family members can apply for the relevant dependent visa.

Dependents must also show that they will be returning home when the international student's education is complete, which can be demonstrated with a return flight booking. They must also provide evidence that they have adequate funds to support themselves during their stay.

Required documents for visa applications

To bring your relative to the US on a dependent visa, you must meet certain criteria. The individuals who can apply for a US Dependent Visa must be either the legally married spouse of a valid H, F1, L1, J1 visa holder or an unmarried child under 21 of the same visa holder.

• A valid passport for at least six months from the date of travel.
• A photograph conforming to US visa rules.
• Proof of the family member's relationship to the sponsor (copy of marriage or birth certificate, with English-language translation if the consulate requires it).
• Copy of the family member's SEVIS-dependent Form I-20 (received from the school).
• Documents showing that the family member will return to their home country (return flight booking).
• Documents showing that the sponsor can pay their tuition, fees, and the whole family's living expenses while in the US without having to find work there.
• Visa fee.

Additionally, the US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse and $6000 per year per child to issue an I-20 form.

If the applicant is a spouse, they must also prove to the consular officer that they are genuinely married and that they plan on staying in the US only for a temporary visa period. It is recommended that the dependents apply for the visa at the same time as their sponsor to make the process faster and easier.

Frequently asked questions