Bringing an F-2 Dependent
Office of International Education

Please note that in requesting to add a dependent spouse and/or minor child under the age of 21 to your F-1 SEVIS record, you are agreeing to accept the financial responsibility of supporting the dependent(s) and maintaining comprehensive health insurance coverage for the dependent(s) for the duration of your F-1 program.

Requesting a Dependent I-20 for the F-2 Visa Application

To request that a dependent spouse or child be added to your F-1 SEVIS record and a dependentI-20 be issued for the visa application process:

• Complete the Dependent I-20 Request Form including the Financial Worksheet (pg. 2)
• Submit the following paperwork to the Office of International Education:
  • Completed Dependent I-20 Request Form
  • Proof of financial support for one year or until the end of your program, whichever is shorter. Acceptable proof includes:
    • Current personal/family bank statement or available balance page of your online account information;
    • Assistantship letter, scholarship letter, or fellowship letter; and/or
    • Notarized letter from a sponsor (relative or third party) and sponsor’s financial bank statement
  • Photocopies of your passport, visa, I-94, and I-20s
  • Proof of health insurance and medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (e.g., photocopy of insurance card or policy details)
  • Enrollment Certification showing full-time status for every semester enrolled at ESF (available at the Registrar’s Office)

If you have been maintaining valid F status and adequate financial documentation is provided, an F-2 dependent I-20 will be issued.

F-2 Status

An F-2 dependent's status is linked to the F-1 student's legal status and thus will have the same program end date. Dependents may remain in the U.S. while you travel and vice versa as long as F-1 primary’s absence is less than 5 months and everyone is maintaining valid status. F-2 dependent children may enroll in school grades K-12; however F-2 dependents cannot enroll in full-time course of study or a degree program beyond elementary and secondary education (K-12). F-2 dependents cannot obtain employment authorization in the United States.

Once a dependent obtains F-2 status, the Office of International Education will only terminate that status if credible evidence of one of the following is submitted:

• Legal divorce (if the dependent is the student's spouse)
• 21st birthday (if the dependent is the student's child)
• Death
• The dependent him- or herself requests termination of his or her record and provides evidence of departure from the U.S. (e.g., home country entry stamp).