International Student Services

An F-1 student in valid status may request for a spouse and/or children to join him or her as F-2 dependents.

General Info

• F-2 visas are limited to spouses and children, no extended family or servants.
• F-2 dependents may not work or attend university in the U.S.
• F-2 children are allowed to attend U.S. public schools (K-12)
• An F-2’s status is dependent on the F-1. Should the F-1 lose his or her status or leave the U.S. the F-2 status also ends
• F-2 children lose their F-2 status once they marry or reach 21 years of age. If the F-2 child wants to remain in the U.S., he or she should apply for an independent status prior to the end of the F-2 status
• Marriage or birth certificates are not required by the UT Dallas ISSO to issue dependent I-20 but these documents will be required by the visa officer
• F-2 dependents are not required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
• In addition to F-2 I-20s, you may also request ISSO F-2 invitation letters to be submitted with the visa application

Process

• Meet with an international student advisor to determine requirements to obtain the necessary F-2 I-20s
• Deliver the F-2 I-20s to your immediate family, along with copies of your F-1 I-20
• The F-2 spouse applies for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate
• If approved for the visa, the F-2 dependents may join the F-1 student for part or all of the F-1’s stay (with exception of adult F-2 children mentioned above)

For more information regarding specific application documents, please contact an international student advisor.