1. International Affairs
  2. Current Students
  3. Maintaining Status
  4. Adding F2 Dependents

Adding F2 Dependents

F-1 students who wish to add a spouse or child to their I-20 must show proof of the relationship, as well as, provide additional and updated proof of funding ($2,000 for spouse or $1,000 per child) to demonstrate that they have sufficient finances to cover the cost of living expenses for their dependents. F-1 students who wish to add dependents to their I-20 must provide the following information for EACH dependent added.

We encourage all students who wish to bring dependents to the U.S. to . If your F-2 dependent has plans of pursuing post-secondary education in the U.S., we strongly encourage them to apply for and enter the U.S. with their own F-1 visa instead of the F-2., which restricts study to part-time and does not allow for on-campus employment (graduate assistantships, fellowships, hourly on-campus employment).

Process for Adding an F-2 dependent:

Email documents below to oia@louisiana.edu. - Please note that F-2 I-20s cannot be issued at the beginning of an academic semester (Spring or Fall) due to SEVIS registration. SEVIS registration must be complete before an F-2 I-20 can be added. 

  1. Complete the Request for Dependent I-20 for F-2 Visa Form (1 form per dependent)
  2. Copy of valid passport for each dependent (picture page only) - passports must have a minimum of 6 months validity.
  3. To add spouse: Copy of official marriage certificate (English translation required)
  4. To add a child: Copy of official birth certificate (English translation required)
  5. Confidential Financial Information Form
  6. Bank statement showing the appropriate amount of funding ($2,000 for spouse and $1,000 per child) meeting all requirements listed on Confidential Financial Guarantee Form.

Dependent Information

In order to bring family members (spouse and/or children) of an F-1 student to the United States, the student is required to provide the legal documents showing the relationship (marriage or birth certificate) and a financial statement. If the family members will accompany the F-1 student at the start of his/her program, the or the will issue the dependent I-20s along with the I-20 for the F-1 student.

The Office of International Affairs will issue a SEVIS I-20 with the dependent information for all students who are already enrolled in classes at the University.

1.  Bring financial documents to the OIA to request for a dependent SEVIS I-20AB.

2.  Financial documentation must show additional funds of $2,000 for a spouse and $1,000 for each child.

  • Bank statements should show the date the account was opened and date the statement was obtained.
  • The average balance shown must have been maintained for at least 3 months.
  • The statement must be no older than 6 months and must indicate the exact amount of funding.
  • Pay stubs, investment funding, and bank statements of companies cannot be accepted.

3. Complete a Financial Guarantee Form (either or Undergraduate) to match the statement.

4. If approved, be prepared to present the following:
  •  Clear copy of each dependent's passport
  •  For spouses: a marriage certificate (including official English translation)
  •  For children: a birth certificate (including official English translation)
Tax Identification Number

The dependent of an international student cannot obtain a social security number, but they are eligible to apply for Tax Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service. An international student's children who are born in U.S. are an exception for this, and they are entitled to a social security number.

Driver's License

Dependents can obtain a driver's license without a Social Security Number by obtaining a Tax Identification Number. for more information.

Working in the U.S.

Dependents of F-1 students are not allowed to work in United States, regardless of whether it is on campus or off campus.

Health and Accident Insurance

Although current regulations do not require dependents of F-1 students to carry health and accident insurance, it is anticipated that coverage will soon become mandatory. Because of the high cost of health care in the U.S., insurance for dependents is highly recommended. The U.S. government does not subsidize any health care costs for non-immigrant visitors. If an uninsured family member needs medical care for any reason, your family could end up with an unmanageable financial burden.
 
Dependents of J-1 students must have health insurance. Dependents of F-1 or J-1 students are not eligible for public assistance programs such as medical services or insurance provided to low-income U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Primary and Secondary School Enrollment

To enroll children in local public schools, submit the following documents when you register your child at the school:
  • An official birth certificate, a signed hospital certificate, or a passport as valid proof of your child's birth date.
  • A physical examination for all children beginning school for the first time.
  • Official copies of the child's school records.
  • All immunization records with names and dates of vaccines received.
Information for Primary & Secondary School Enrollment