The US remains the most preferred country for international students. Many students may choose to bring their dependents to stay with them in the US, as the courses can last up to four years.
But are international students allowed to bring their dependents? Yes, foreign students are permitted to bring their family, but certain conditions must be met in addition to the limits imposed by US law.
F-2 Visa Eligibility Conditions
Foreign students’ spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 are allowed to join the primary student in the US. To be eligible, the spouse or unmarried minor child must prove to the consular and immigration officers that they are the spouse or child of the F-1 principal by providing a marriage license or birth certificate, respectively.
While students have to apply for an F-1 visa, the student’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 who are accompanying the F-1 student in the United States are eligible for admission in F-2 status.
There is an important condition to be followed before you are permitted to bring your dependents. Make sure you inform your designated school official (DSO) about your intent to bring dependents to the United States; they will issue a Form I-20 for each dependent.
There is also an additional proof of financial support covering a minimum of $14,253 USD for a spouse and $7,127 USD per child for qualifying for an F-2 visa.
F-2 Visa Restrictions
But can F-2 visa holders work in the US? F-2 nonimmigrants are permitted to attend elementary, middle, and high school on a full-time basis but are not authorized to work in the United States.
However, F-2 visa holders can later shift to F-1 through a change of status. If a dependent wants to pursue a full course of study beyond the elementary, middle, or high school level, or beyond what is avocational or recreational, the dependent has the option to request a change of status to that of an F-1 nonimmigrant.
“The primary limitation for F2 holders, who are primarily dependents of F1 students, is achieving financial independence. F1 holders are required to have robust financial proof to show that s/he have adequate funds to support their spouse and minor children in addition to their own expenses.
Thus, they are compelled to produce proof of a higher bank balance. Adult dependents are only entitled to some part-time or recreational study so that they may also switch to the status of F1 for full-fledged higher education in due course.
F2 dependents cannot take on any full-time employment. Such limited flexibility affects household income and future planning. Further, the costs of health insurance and childcare are also exorbitantly high, and universities seldom subsidise dependents. Still further, any lapse or misconduct on the part of the F1 holder jeopardises the legal stay of the F2 holder,” says Prof. (Dr.) Hemant Verma, Vice-Chancellor of SGT University, Gurugram.
Period Stay
F-2 dependents can maintain legal immigration status as long as the primary student preserves their status during their study program. This will include any authorised optional practical training (OPT) period following completion.
F-2 dependents are generally admitted concurrently with the duration of the status of the F-1 student. F-2 dependents are not required to seek an extension of stay as long as they were admitted for the duration of status, and the F-1 student maintains their student status.
What if the F-1 student is unable to complete the student’s course of study by the program end date on the Form I-20? In that case, F-2 dependents of an F-1 student do not need to apply for an extension of stay if they were admitted for a duration of status. When the Designated School Official (DSO) grants an extension of stay for the F-1 student, the DSO will update the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for both the F-1 student and their F-2 dependents.