Skip to content
International Student Services

F-2 Dependents

General Information

“Dependents” are legal spouses or unmarried minor children under the age of 21. Dependents must possess either an I-20 in order to enter the U.S. Children born in the U.S. are not considered dependents in this context. Domestic Partners are not eligible for dependent status but may apply for B-2 visas.

Dependents may accompany you, the F-1 student, to the U.S. or follow to join you at a later date. Dependent family members hold F-2 status. Each F-2 dependent must have their own original I-20.

In order to qualify for F-2 status, individuals must establish to the satisfaction of the officer at the U.S. consulate and the immigration officer at the port of entry that the individual:

  • Is your spouse (marriage license) or child (birth certificate) of you, the F-1 student. You must officially be married before ISS can issue a dependent I-20 for your spouse.
  • Has sufficient funds to cover expenses while in the U.S.
  • Intends to leave the U.S. upon completion of your F-1 status.

How To Request a Dependent I-20

Requesting F-2 Dependent

Gather the necessary documents to complete the online dependent document request form:

    • Scan or photos of the passport biographical page for your dependent(s)
    • Scan or photos of funding documentation. The funding documentation must show enough funds to pay for at least three quarters of expenses: tuition, and living expenses for you and your dependent(s). (Graduate student funding–RAs/TAs–will not entirely cover dependent expenses).

Complete the online Dependent Document Request Form through your MyISSS portal. Allow one 2-3for ISS processing.

A new I-20 will be issued to you and each dependent. Your new I-20 will show the addition of your dependent(s) as well as their living expenses. You will receive an email from the ISS office (uwiss@uw.edu) when your documents are ready for pick up. The new dependent I-20 issued by ISS does not grant F-2 status itself. A dependent must use the new I-20 to officially obtain F-2 status.

Dependents in F-2 Status

  • F-2 dependents may not accept employment or engage in business under any circumstances. Employment is defined as providing services, part-time or full-time, for financial or other compensation, including self-employment.
  • An F-2 dependent’s status is valid only if you maintain status. Though the regulations do not define the amount of time an F-1 student can be outside the U.S. without affecting the status of the F-2 dependents who remain in the U.S., such periods of separation should be brief.
  • The spouse of an F-1 student may not engage in full-time study, and the F-2 child may only engage in full-time study at an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade). F-2 dependents can study part-time in an academic or vocational curriculum at a SEVP-certified school (this new benefit began May 29, 2015). F-2 dependents can also study in avocational or recreational programs–hobbies. An F-2 spouse or child who desires to engage in full-time study, other than as previously described, must obtain F-1 status.

Related Topics

Annual Expenses

Review the estimated annual expenses required for the issuance of your I-20/DS-2019.

Read more