F-2 Dependents
Overview
Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) who accompany the primary F-1 visa holder to the U.S. may receive F-2 dependent status. Their eligibility to stay legally in the U.S., as well as to extend their stay, is contingent upon the primary visa holder maintaining his/her legal status and extending his/her program in a timely manner.
All other family members must apply for a B-1 or B-2 visitor's visa to gain entry to the U.S.
F-2 Dependents
The spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of the F-1 student may be admitted into the U.S. in F-2 classification, if each dependent presents a SEVIS Form I-20 issued in his or her own name and an F-2 visa.
The F-2 dependent SEVIS record and Form I-20 is managed by the institution that issues the F-1 student's SEVIS record and I-20.
Documents Needed to Apply for an F-2 Visa at a US Embassy or Consulate
Important Information about F-2 Status
Since F-2 status is tied to the F-1 status, once the F-1 student has completed his or her studies and has left the U.S., the F-2 dependents must leave as well. At the end of the F-1 program, there is a 60-day grace period during which the F-1/F-2 may stay in the U.S. Once the F-1 primary leaves the U.S., the F-2 dependents must leave as well.
Dependent children over age 21 are no longer eligible to F-2 status and will need to change to another status such as F-1 (for full time students) if they wish to stay in the U.S.
Employment
The F-2 spouse and children of an F-1 student may not accept employment in the U.S. However, they may do volunteer work as long as there is no compensation of any kind and the F-2 dependent is doing a job usually done by volunteers. For more information about the type of acceptable volunteer work, see the Volunteering information page.
Study
F-2 dependents of F-1 students in the United States may study part time at the postsecondary level in any certified program at an SEVP-certified school, as long as the study does not amount to what regulations define as full time for an F-1 student [defined in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)].
At UT, F-2 dependents may study only part-time:
F-2 dependents may also study full time in avocational or recreational studies, such as hobbies.
F-2 minor children must comply with compulsory education requirements in attending kindergarten through 12th grade.
However, an F-2 dependent who wants to enroll full time in a course of postsecondary academic or vocational study must apply for and obtain approval to change nonimmigrant status to F-1, J-1, or M-1 before beginning their full-time study. Studying full-time before the change of status to F-1 is complete would be grounds for SEVIS termination for "Violation of Change of Status Requirements".
Contact the International Student Advisors for more information.
Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) who accompany the primary F-1 visa holder to the U.S. may receive F-2 dependent status. Their eligibility to stay legally in the U.S., as well as to extend their stay, is contingent upon the primary visa holder maintaining his/her legal status and extending his/her program in a timely manner.
All other family members must apply for a B-1 or B-2 visitor's visa to gain entry to the U.S.
F-2 Dependents
The spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of the F-1 student may be admitted into the U.S. in F-2 classification, if each dependent presents a SEVIS Form I-20 issued in his or her own name and an F-2 visa.
The F-2 dependent SEVIS record and Form I-20 is managed by the institution that issues the F-1 student's SEVIS record and I-20.
Documents Needed to Apply for an F-2 Visa at a US Embassy or Consulate
- Valid passport
- Photographs
- F-2 dependent SEVIS Form I-20
- Visa application fee
- Visa application forms (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/)
- Supporting documentation, including copies of the F-1 student's immigration documents, proof of student status, and financial documentation
Important Information about F-2 Status
Since F-2 status is tied to the F-1 status, once the F-1 student has completed his or her studies and has left the U.S., the F-2 dependents must leave as well. At the end of the F-1 program, there is a 60-day grace period during which the F-1/F-2 may stay in the U.S. Once the F-1 primary leaves the U.S., the F-2 dependents must leave as well.
Dependent children over age 21 are no longer eligible to F-2 status and will need to change to another status such as F-1 (for full time students) if they wish to stay in the U.S.
Employment
The F-2 spouse and children of an F-1 student may not accept employment in the U.S. However, they may do volunteer work as long as there is no compensation of any kind and the F-2 dependent is doing a job usually done by volunteers. For more information about the type of acceptable volunteer work, see the Volunteering information page.
Study
F-2 dependents of F-1 students in the United States may study part time at the postsecondary level in any certified program at an SEVP-certified school, as long as the study does not amount to what regulations define as full time for an F-1 student [defined in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)].
At UT, F-2 dependents may study only part-time:
- Undergraduate study: 11 credits or less
- Graduate study: 7 credits or less
F-2 dependents may also study full time in avocational or recreational studies, such as hobbies.
F-2 minor children must comply with compulsory education requirements in attending kindergarten through 12th grade.
However, an F-2 dependent who wants to enroll full time in a course of postsecondary academic or vocational study must apply for and obtain approval to change nonimmigrant status to F-1, J-1, or M-1 before beginning their full-time study. Studying full-time before the change of status to F-1 is complete would be grounds for SEVIS termination for "Violation of Change of Status Requirements".
Contact the International Student Advisors for more information.