International Dependents
International students and scholars may wish to bring eligible dependents to the United States to live with you throughout your program of study, teaching, or research program.
As with other international student and scholar benefits, you must first notify International Services that you would like to bring dependents to the United States, meet all eligibility requirements, and submit necessary information to support the issuances of the dependent I-20 or DS-2019, necessary to either apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or, if in the U.S. in another status, submit an application for a change of status to the USCIS.
Eligibility for Dependent Status (F-2/J-2)
To qualify for dependent status, to accompany the primary student or exchange visitor to the United States or follow to join at a later date, the applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer and the immigration officer at the port of entry that:
- The dependent is the legal spouse (as evidenced by a valid marriage certificate recognized in the place of celebration) of the F-1 or J-1 principal;
- The dependent is the unmarried child under the age of 21 (as evidenced by a valid birth certificate) of the F-1 or J-1 principal;
- The dependent has sufficient funds to cover all expenses, or that other arrangements have been made to provide for such expenses once in the United States;
- The dependent will be accompanying or following to join the principal F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor who is maintaining valid status;
- The dependent intends to leave the United States upon the termination of the status or program completion of the principal F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor.
Other family members, such as parents, brothers, sisters, domestic partners, or close family members who do not satisfy the definition of a dependent for the F-2 or J-2 visa classification, may wish to explore eligibility for B-2 status to visit the United States as tourists. In addition, dependents who will be visiting the US briefly are not required to seek F-2 or J-2 status.
How to Obtain the Dependent I-20 or DS-2019
Additional Considerations
To bring your family to the United States, there are a number of steps that you must complete in advance, and some strategic planning is needed. In particular, issues such as housing, transportation, health care, schooling for children, and cultural adjustment must all be discussed and addressed before your family departs your home country.
