Douglas Olsen
International students in the US on an F-1 or M-1 visa may bring their spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) to the US on an F-2 or M-2 visa. The F-2 visa is a derivative visa, meaning students can apply for it at the same time as their own student visa, and the length of stay will be the same. To apply for an F-2 visa, students must provide proof of their relationship to their spouse and children, such as a marriage or birth certificate, as well as proof that they can pay their tuition, fees, and living expenses for their family. Additionally, students must provide a copy of their spouse and children's passports, which must be valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay. If international students want to bring their parents, siblings, or children over the age of 21, these individuals must apply for a B-2 visitor visa, which allows them to stay in the US for a maximum of six months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa category | F-1 visa for the student, F-2 visa for the spouse and children |
| Documents required | Copy of passport, financial statements showing ability to support dependents, I-20 form |
| Visa validity | Length of stay allowed will be equal to the student's |
| Work permission | Dependents are not permitted to work |
| Health insurance | Required by most universities and colleges for students and their family members |
| Other requirements | Dependents must show return flight bookings to demonstrate they will return home when the F-1 student's education is complete |
| B-2 visitor visa | Required for parents, siblings, fiances, or children over the age of 21; valid for a maximum of six months |
| J-1 or F-1 status | Legal spouse and children under 21 may be eligible for J-2 or F-2 status to accompany or follow separately to the US |
| Other options | Host families or homestays, multi-family homes, or renting a single-family home |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can bring their spouse or child to the US on an F-1 visa
- Parents, siblings, fiancés, and children over 21 must apply for a B-2 visitor visa
- Dependents must show they will return home when the F-1 student's education ends
- Dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations
- Health insurance is required for students and their family members by most universities
International students can bring their spouse or child to the US on an F-1 visa
International students on an F-1 visa can bring their spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 to the US by applying for an F-2 derivative visa for each family member. The F-2 visa is only valid for the duration of the F-1 student's program and does not permit dependents to work.
To obtain an F-2 visa, the international student must first request an I-20 form from their university. This form is issued by the university's international student office or international admissions team and requires documents such as a copy of the student's passport and financial statements demonstrating their ability to support their dependents. Once the I-20 form is obtained, the student can apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for each family member.
It is important to note that F-2 visas are only granted to spouses and children who can prove their relationship to the F-1 student through official marriage or birth certificates. Additionally, the F-2 visa applicants must provide evidence of their intent to return to their home country after the F-1 student's education is complete, such as by showing return flight bookings. While F-1 students may be able to find on-campus jobs, their dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not receive a social security number.
Furthermore, both F-1 students and their dependents are typically required to have health insurance, although this requirement varies depending on the university. It is recommended to research the cost of healthcare insurance for both the student and their dependents, as it can be quite expensive in the US. Additionally, F-2 visa applicants must provide evidence of adequate funds to support themselves during their stay. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) require a minimum of $7,000 per year for a spouse and $6,000 per year per child to issue an I-20 form.
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Parents, siblings, fiancés, and children over 21 must apply for a B-2 visitor visa
If you are an international student in the US and you want to bring a parent, sibling, fiancé(e), or child over the age of 21, these individuals must apply for a B-2 visitor visa. This type of visa allows family members to stay in the US for a maximum of six months, and you will need to provide documents to prove your relationship.
The process for obtaining a B-2 visa for your relatives typically involves the following steps:
- Provide Documents: You will need to submit various documents, including a copy of your passport, financial statements demonstrating your ability to support your relatives, and proof of your relationship with the relative(s) applying for the B-2 visa.
- Obtain an I-20 Form: To receive an I-20 form from your university, you will need to submit the aforementioned documents. This form is typically managed by the university's international student office or international admissions team.
- Evidence of Ties to Home Country: US consular officers often deny B-2 visa applications due to a lack of strong ties to the visitor's home country. Applicants must provide evidence that demonstrates their intention to return home after their visit.
- Invitation Letter: A letter of invitation from the student or scholar currently in the US can be helpful for B-2 visa applicants. This letter can be requested through the university's online portal or in person through the international student services office.
- Visa Waiver Program: Depending on the country of origin, your relatives may be eligible to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. However, this program is only applicable for visits of a shorter duration.
- Health Insurance: While the Department of Homeland Security does not require international students to have health insurance, almost all universities and colleges in the US mandate it for students and their family members. Research the cost of healthcare insurance for your relatives, as it can be expensive.
- Funding Requirements: When applying for dependent visas, your relatives must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) typically require funding evidence of $7,000 per year for a spouse and $6,000 per year per child.
Please note that the specific requirements and processes may vary, and it is always recommended to consult the official US government websites and your university's international student office for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Dependents must show they will return home when the F-1 student's education ends
International students who want to bring their spouse or child 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, meaning the length of stay allowed will be equal to that of the F-1 visa. To obtain an F-2 visa, the university needs to issue an I-20 form. The university will require documents such as a copy of the F-1 visa holder's passport and additional financial statements showing how they support their dependents financially. 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 in order to issue an I-20 form.
F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work and will not be provided with a social security number. They must also show that they will return home when the F-1 student's education is complete. This can be demonstrated with a return flight booking. It is recommended to secure more than the required amount of funding in case of emergencies.
Parents and siblings of people in F-1 status are not eligible for F-2 status. They must apply for a B-2 visitor visa instead. These visas allow family members to stay in the US for a maximum of six months and require documents to prove the relationship. The B-2 visa applicant must also provide evidence of strong ties to their home country, such as a return flight booking. The maximum initial period of a B-2 visa is six months, but people can apply for an extension.
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Dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations
International students in the US can bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the US by applying for an F-1 visa and then adding an F-2 visa application for each family member. The F-2 visa is a derivative visa, meaning that the length of stay allowed will be equal to that of the F-1 visa holder.
F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work in the US and will not be provided with a social security number. This is because F-2 visa holders are usually unable to obtain a work permit. Without a work permit, F-2 visa holders will not be able to obtain a Social Security Number. However, F-2 visa holders can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file any tax returns with the IRS. If an F-2 visa holder wishes to work, they must first apply to change their visa to a different type that allows them to work.
F-2 visa holders are permitted to attend school on a part-time basis, and school-age children are required to attend K-12 schools. F-2 visa holders can also engage in unpaid voluntary work. While F-2 visa holders are typically not allowed to enrol in university or college programs full-time to pursue a Bachelor's or graduate degree program, they can take vocational or recreational courses on a part-time basis.
The F-2 visa will last for the duration of the F-1 student's educational program. When the F-1 visa holder completes their degree program, the F-2 visa holder must return to their home country within 60 days of the end of the program, unless the F-1 student has applied for and been approved for the OPT program or a STEM OPT extension.
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Health insurance is required for students and their family members by most universities
International students on F, J, M, and Q visas are considered non-resident aliens and are exempt from the individual mandate for their first five years in the U.S. However, most universities and colleges require international students and their family members to have health insurance. This is to ensure that they will be taken care of if something happens while they are enrolled.
There are two options for health insurance for international students in the U.S.: health insurance through the university or a private health insurance policy. Most universities offer their own health insurance plans, and some make it mandatory for students to enrol in them. If health insurance is required by the university, students may not be allowed to register for classes without it.
Some universities, such as American University and Gonzaga University, enforce stringent requirements before allowing exceptions to their health insurance plans. Students must research their university's policy before purchasing a private plan. Additionally, certain universities do not offer health insurance, leaving students with no option but to seek a private insurer.
International students can obtain health insurance plans designed specifically for them, such as the IMG plan, which offers worldwide coverage, international claims specialists, and access to 24/7 emergency assistance services. These plans can provide the right mix of benefits, value, and coverage to keep students safe and healthy while studying abroad.
When considering health insurance, it is essential to review the benefits and ensure they meet the requirements, such as a sufficient policy maximum, coverage for mental and physical health, and repatriation of remains. It is also worth noting that health insurance can be quite expensive in the U.S., and students should be prepared for the associated costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. You will need to prove that they are your spouse and children by providing official marriage and birth certificates. Your school will need to issue you with an I-20 form and your spouse and children will each receive their own I-20 form, which they will need to apply for an F-2 or M-2 visa.
If your children are over the age of 21, they are not eligible for an F-2 or M-2 visa. They will need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a student visa or work visa.
Parents of people in F-1 or J-1 status are not eligible for F-2 or J-2 status. They will need to apply for a B-2 visitor visa, which allows them to stay in the US for a maximum of six months.
The University of Iowa's ISSS recommends that your relatives take the following documents with them to the US: evidence of ties to their home country, a support letter from ISSS, and their passport.
You will need to notify your designated school official (DSO) that you would like to bring your relatives to the US and submit necessary identifying information. Your DSO will then send you a Form I-20, which your relatives will need to apply for their visas.
