Savanna Hoffman
International students who want to bring their spouse or 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 F-1 visa. There are, however, strict regulations and a time-consuming process to obtain a visa for family members or dependents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type for spouse | F-2 or M-2 visa |
| Visa type for children | F-2 or M-2 visa |
| Visa type for parents, siblings, fiancé(e), or children over 21 | B-2 visitor visa |
| Visa application process for spouse and children | Provide proof of familial relationship with official marriage and birth certificates; fill out a separate set of application forms |
| Visa application requirements | Evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse and $6000 per year per child; proof that the family members will return to the home country after the F-1 student's education is complete, such as a return flight booking |
| Work authorization for spouse and children | Not permitted to work under F-2 and M-2 visa regulations |
| Education for spouse and children | Permitted to attend elementary, middle, and high school on a full-time basis |
| Length of stay | Equal to the length of stay allowed for the F-1 or M-1 student |
| Visa extension | If granted, all family members are granted the same period of time, with the shortest period granted to any member applying to all |
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What You'll Learn
Spouses and children can request visas to stay in the US with the student
International students in the US on an F-1 or M-1 visa may bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to stay with them. Spouses and children can request visas to stay in the US with the student by applying for an F-2 or M-2 visa, respectively. These visas are specifically for the legal spouse and children of F-1 and M-1 students.
To obtain a visa for family members or dependents, the university needs to issue an I-20 form. This form is typically requested through the university's international student office or international admissions team. The student must submit documents such as a copy of their passport and financial statements showing they can support their dependents. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of \$7,000 per year for a spouse and \$6,000 per year per child. The family members must also provide evidence that they have adequate funds to support themselves during their stay.
In addition to financial documents, the student must also provide proof of their familial relationship to the applicants. Official marriage and birth certificates are required, along with translations if they are not in English. Family members will also have to fill out their own set of application forms and may need to attend a personal interview at a US embassy or consulate. It is important to note that F-2 and M-2 dependents are not authorized to work or engage in full-time post-secondary study in the US.
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Students must prove they can support their family financially
International students in the US on an F-1 or M-1 visa may request visas for their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to join them. To obtain a visa for family members, the student's university needs to issue an I-20 form. This requires documents such as a copy of the student's passport and additional financial statements showing how the student can support their dependents. 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. This is the minimum required amount, and students should research the realistic costs of living in their location, which may be higher.
There are various ways to demonstrate financial ability. Students must show they have the first year of support available and indicate how subsequent years will be funded. This can be done through personal or sponsor bank statements, investment statements, scholarship money, graduate assistantships, or pre-authorization letters from private student loan lenders. Family members can also provide financial support by supplying bank and asset statements and a Form I-134 stating their consent to fund the student's studies and living expenses.
It is important to note that the types of investments or assets accepted can vary among schools, so it is crucial to check the specific requirements of your university. Additionally, while international students may be able to find on-campus jobs, their dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will need to demonstrate that they have adequate funds to support themselves during their stay.
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Dependents must prove they will return home
International students in the US on an F-1 or M-1 visa may bring their spouse and unmarried 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 that the length of stay allowed will be equal to that of the student visa.
To obtain a visa for family members or dependents, the university must issue an I-20 form. The university will require documents such as a copy of the student's passport and additional financial statements showing how the student will financially support their dependents. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7,000 per year for a spouse and $6,000 per year per child to issue an I-20 form. This is the minimum amount required, and the cost of living in the US is rising, so it is important to research the cost of living in the intended location.
Dependents 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. Dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number.
In addition to the above, there are other requirements that must be met. Dependents must provide proof of their relationship to the student, such as a marriage or birth certificate. If the documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by a complete translation. Furthermore, colleges and K-12 schools typically require proof of immunisations such as meningitis, polio, MMR, and hepatitis B. Almost all universities and colleges require health insurance for students and their families, so it is important to research the cost of healthcare insurance.
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Dependents cannot work under F-2 visa regulations
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 category, meaning that the length of stay allowed will be equal to that of the F-1 visa.
To obtain a visa for family members or dependents, the university needs to issue an I-20 form. The university will require documents such as a copy of the student's passport and additional financial statements showing how the student supports 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 to issue an I-20 form. While international students might be able to find on-campus jobs or take on some work, their dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number.
F-2 visa holders are not eligible for employment. If an F-2 dependent wishes to pursue any employment, paid or unpaid, in the US, they would need to find an employer willing and able to sponsor them for an employment visa. F-2 visa holders are permitted to attend elementary, middle, and high school on a full-time basis. They are also permitted to engage in study that is avocational or recreational in nature, or less than full-time. If an F-2 visa holder wants to pursue a full course of study beyond the elementary, middle, or high school level, they can request a change of status to that of an F-1 nonimmigrant.
It is important to note that the spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of F-1 students may either accompany them to the US or come later by entering on an F-2 visa. To apply for an F-2 visa, the dependent(s) should provide proof of sufficient funds to meet all their expenses while in the US. They will also need to provide a Form I-20 or DS-2019, which can be obtained by submitting a Dependent Request Form along with other required documents to an immigration coordinator.
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Students should contact their university's international team
International students who want to bring their spouse to the US should first contact their university's international student office or international admissions team. This is because the university will need to issue an I-20 form for the spouse to obtain a 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 spouse financially. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse. The spouse must also show that they will be returning home when the student's education is complete, which can be demonstrated with a return flight booking.
The student will need to apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for their spouse. The F-2 visa is a derivative visa category, meaning the student can apply for it at the same time as they apply for their own student visa, and the length of stay allowed will be equal to theirs. The F-2 visa enables dependents to stay in the United States during the F-1 student's program. The student must prove that they have financial support to fund their spouse in F-2 status. Funding amounts can be found on the university's Tuition & Fees page.
The spouse will also have to fill out a separate set of application forms. They will need to provide proof of their relationship to the student, for example with a marriage certificate. If the marriage certificate is not in English, they must provide a complete translation. The spouse will also need to provide a copy of their passport ID page.
After the student and their spouse have filled out their forms and prepared their documents, the university's international team should be able to help with any queries. The designated student officer (DSO) at the university, who advises foreign students, can also be a big help.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the spouses of international students on an F-1 visa can apply for an F-2 visa. The F-2 visa is a derivative visa category, meaning the international student and their spouse can apply at the same time, and the length of stay allowed will be the same.
You will need to provide proof of your marital relationship, such as a marriage certificate. You will also need to show proof that your spouse will return to their home country with documents such as a return flight booking. Additionally, you will need to provide financial statements showing that you can support your spouse financially during their stay. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse.
No, spouses on an F-2 visa are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number. However, spouses on a J-2 visa are given work rights in the USA after proper authorization.
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