F-2 Dependents

F-2 AND J-2 VISA SPONSORSHIP

If you have a spouse or child(ren), but they did not come with you to South Florida Bible College, or if you have married or had a child born abroad since coming to the U.S., or if your spouse and children are currently in the United States in another visa status, you may sponsor your dependent(s) join you on an F-2 dependent visa.

NOTE: To invite other relatives or friends to visit you (e.g. a parent, sibling, cousin, or friend), please read our page on Inviting Family to Visit.

NEXT STEPS: APPLYING FOR VISA OR CHANGE-OF-STATUS

There are two separate ways for a dependent spouse or child to apply for F-2 visa status:

1. apply for F-2 outside of the U.S. at a U.S. Consulate, or

2. change from their current visa status within the United States to F-2 visa status.

APPLYING FOR F-2 DEPENDENT VISA ABROAD

DEPENDENTS CURRENTLY OUTSIDE THE U.S.
If the dependent spouse or child is currently outside of the United States, the dependent must apply for an F-2 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy using the following guidelines:

1. F-1 student must first get an F-2 I-20 prepared by International Student Services Department for their F-2 dependents – submit the following documents to ISSD:

   1. F-2 Dependent Application

   2. Proof of funding ($20,000 F-1 student + $4,500 spouse + $3,500 per child)

   3. Scan of dependent passport(s)

2. F-2 Visa applicants should check the website of the US Consulate or Embassy for instructions on how to apply for a U.S. Visa.  Contacts of Consulates and Embassies can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/.  F-2 applicants should check the site for specific details about how to set the visa appointment and what additional information may be required for the visa interview and then should schedule an interview for a visa interview.

3. Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

4. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s web site [please note that you do not have to pay a SEVIS Fee for F-2 dependent spouse or child(ren)].

5. Prepare and bring to your visa interview the following:
   (a)  A passport valid for at least six months
   (b)  Supporting visa documentation (F-2 I-20)
   (c)  Copies of the F-1 Primary’s documents (I-20, Passport, Visa, I-94 Record) and proof of relationship to F-1 (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, family register, etc.)
   (d)  Completed DS-160 visa application
   (e)  One 2”x 2” photograph in the prescribed format: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html
   (f)  A receipt for the visa application fee
   (g)  Financial evidence that shows the F-1 student has sufficient funds to cover the F-2’s living expenses while in the U.S.
   (h)  Any additional information listed on the consulate’s web site.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Dependent visa interviews are more challenging when an F-2 dependent is filing separately from the F-1 student.  F-2 Dependents need to be able to clearly state their reason for joining you, their ties to the home country, and establish their non-immigrant intent.

Accordingly, during the student visa interview, dependent applicants must establish their non-immigrant intent to the satisfaction of the consular officer.  Non-immigrant intent means that they have binding ties to the home country and have a home which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will depart the United States when you have completed your studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence of non-immigrant intent should take since applicants’ circumstances vary greatly.

This site has some great tips on visa preparation: 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Non-immigrant VISA .

CHANGE-OF-STATUS INSIDE THE U.S.

DEPENDENTS CURRENTLY INSIDE THE U.S. WHO WISH TO CHANGE STATUS
For sponsorship of dependents who are already in the US to obtain F-2 status, the F-2 will have to file a petition to change status with US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

ISSD cannot complete the Change-of-Status petition for you. ISSD strongly advises you to seek the assistance of competent legal counsel to represent you in applying for a Change-of-Status to F-2 dependent status.  A list of immigration attorneys can be found on https://ailalawyer.com/. General guidance for applying to USCIS for a Change-of-status can be found on the USCIS Website.

I-539 PETITIONS FOR CHANGE-OF-STATUS ARE SLOW: Please be aware that Change-of-Status petitions take a very long time to process – as long as 6 – 10 months at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (check I-539 Processing times for the Vermont Service Center). 

NO TRAVEL DURING CHANGE-OF-STATUS: Once the I-539 Change-of-Status petition is submitted to USCIS, the F-2 applicant cannot leave the United States for any reason.  If the F-2 leaves the U.S., even for a Caribbean Cruise, the I-539 petition will be considered “abandoned,” and the case will be cancelled by USCIS.  Only once the I-539 Change-of-Status petition has been approved will the F-2 be able to travel internationally.  Also, please be aware that the I-539 petition approval is not a visa stamp; so, the F-2 dependent will need to apply for a new visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate the next time they travel beyond North America (see Student Travel Requirements page).

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING MAINTAINING CURRENT VISA STATUS, BRIDGING STATUS, AND B-1/B-2 APPLICANTS:

1. B-1/B-2 TO F-2/J-2 APPLICANTS: If you are currently on a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa Status and you want to apply to change status to an F-2 dependent visa status, applying for a Change-of-Status within the first 90 days of entry to the U.S. in B-1/B-2 status will likely result in a denial and will be considered fraudulent entry based on a misrepresentation of status based on 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(3)(g)(2) – Inconsistent Conduct Within 90 Days of Entry.  This change to the Foreign Affairs Manual was published on September 20, 2017. 

2. NO BRIDGE PETITION REQUIRED:  Effective July 20, 2021, USCIS no longer requires someone in another visa status to maintain their status continuously while awaiting a change-of-status.  All that is required as an applicant for a change-of-status is that your nonimmigrant status is unexpired at the time of filing the I-539 change-of-status to F-2 application, and that you otherwise remain eligible for a change-of-status.  This is what is known as “timely filing” of a petition.  See USCIS’s Special Instruction Page for more information.

STEPS TO OBTAIN F-2 STATUS INSIDE THE U.S.

1. F-1 student must first get an F-2 I-20 prepared by International Student Services Department for their F-2 dependents – submit the following documents to ISSD:

   • F-2 Dependent Application

   • Proof of funding ($20,000 F-1 student + $4,500 spouse + $3,500 per child)

   • Scan of dependent passport(s)

2. ISSD cannot complete the Change-of-Status petition for you. ISSD strongly advises you to seek the assistance of competent legal counsel to represent you in applying for a Change-of-Status to F-2 or J-2 dependent status.  A list of immigration attorneys can be found on https://ailalawyer.com/. General guidance for applying to USCIS for a Change-of-status can be found on the USCIS Website.

3. Generally, the F-2 Applicant must file the following with USCIS (Send the application to the appropriate USCIS filing address as indicated in the instructions for form I-539):

   • (a) Form I-539: “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status” and Form I-539A for each F-2 dependent co-applicant (available at http://www.uscis.gov/i-539)

   • (b) I-539 Application Fee – Checks should be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security“

   • (c) Copy of F-2 I-20(s)

   • (d) Copy of Passport Identification Pages

   • (e) Copy of Current/ most recent Visa Stamp

   • (f) Copy of I-94 record

   • (g) Copy of other visa documents, etc.

   • (h) Copies of marriage license, birth certificates, other family records which establish relationship with the F-1 visa holder

   • (i) Copies of the F-1 visa holder’s I-20, Passport Identification Pages, Visa Stamp, I-94 Record, etc.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN AND MINORS – EFFECTIVE APRIL 11, 2025

New USCIS guidance published on February 25, 2025 will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to “re-register” with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1 students who entered before age 14. Most nonimmigrants who entered the U.S. at age 14+ are already automatically registered (as evidenced by their Form I-94) and DON’T need to re-register.

Read the USCIS page: Alien Registration Requirement (February 25, 2025, updated March 12, 2025); The USCIS guidance references statutes and regulations as well as Executive Order 14159 of January 20, 2025: Protecting The American People Against Invasion (see 90 FR 8443 (January 29, 2025)) as the legal basis for the agency action.

New requirement affects young people who turn 14 while staying in the United States:

• Those who turn 14 years old while in the U.S. must register again within 30 days of their 14th birthday; the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states that those who must register include: “Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”

• This applies even for those who were properly registered when they first entered the country under age 14

• For example, this rule affects dependents with F-2 status, as well as young students with F-1 status (such as boarding school students) who entered the United States under age 14 and have remained in the U.S.; it also affects immigrants (green card holders) who acquired their lawful permanent residence under age 14 when they turn 14 years old

Regarding the 14-year-old requirement the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states: “This includes:

• “All aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days;

• The parents or legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age: Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days; and

• Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”

Individuals who have not been registered must also now register. In addition to the requirement for 14-year-olds to re-register, the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states: “Anyone who has not applied to the Department of State for a visa, been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b), or has not submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived) is not registered. Aliens who have not registered include:

• Aliens present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally);

• Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration; and

• Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b).”

How to complete the re-registration. See the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page for instructions on filing Form G-235R. Form G-325R must be filed online through a USCIS online account. It cannot be filed by mail or in person.

Where can I get advice on my or my family’s obligations to register or re-register? Individuals with questions about their and their family’s legal obligations to provide information to the U.S. government can contact an experienced Immigration Attorney or assistance through the Immigration Advocates Network.

Resources:

• NAFSA Page on “Re-Registration of Nonimmigrants Reaching Age 14″

• USCIS: Alien Registration Requirement

DEPENDENTS AND STUDY

F-2 DEPENDENTS AND STUDY
F-2 adults (spouses and children who have completed high school) can enroll only in a part-time course of study in either a degree or non-degree program at a college or university.

F-2 minor children are allowed to study in K-12 full-time.

Information on F-2 enrollment limitations can be found here: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/trends-and-improvements/policy/f-2-m-2-part-time-study-guidance

DEPENDENTS AND EMPLOYMENT

F-2 DEPENDENTS AND EMPLOYMENT
F-2 dependent spouses and children may not work under any circumstances and are not eligible for Social Security Numbers.  However, based on Department of Labor regulations, F-2 dependents may volunteer, usually on a part-time basis, for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives, not as employees and without contemplation of pay.  They must not be considered employees of the religious, charitable or similar non-profit organizations that receive their service. From: https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/whd/flsa/docs/volunteers.asp.

Information on F-2 sponsorship and limitations can be found here: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/dependents.