Adding F-2 Dependents

F-2 Eligibility

If you are or plan to become an F-1 student at Tufts University, you can seek F-2 status for your legal spouse and/or unmarried dependent children under 21. You must be in valid F-1 status in order for your dependents to qualify for F-2 status.

Dependents may obtain F-2 status and come to the US at the same time you apply for your F-1 visa and enter the US as an F-1 student. Or they may join you at a later time, after you have already obtained and arrived in the US as an F-1 student.

Requesting F-2 Status for Dependents

To obtain F-2 status for your dependents, you must first request separate Form I-20 visa certificates for each dependent. Please follow the procedure outlined below.

1.  Log in to the International Center Portal Request Center and submit a F-2 Add Dependent Request . You must attach a copy of the passport identification page for each dependent and also provide financial documents showing that you have sufficient resources for at least one year of living expenses for your family members.
   • You must document at least $6,000 for a spouse and $3,600 for each additional child
2. The International Center will review your request and issue separate I-20s for each F-2 dependent.
3. F-2 dependents must apply for an F-2 visa from a US consulate overseas (exception: Canadian citizens do not require entry visas) and enter with their own I-20s.

If your F-2 dependents are applying for visas and/or coming to the US separately from you, they should carry copies of your I-20, passport, F-1 visa, I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt, and financial documents.

Note: by requesting I-20s for your dependents, you are confirming that you are submitting a request ONLY for your legal spouse and/or unmarried dependent children under the age of 21. The legal relationships and conditions must applicable at the time your dependents apply for their F-2 visas, enter the US, and throughout their stay in the US in F-2 status. The International Center does not require proof of marriage or parentage as a condition of issuing an I-20 to your dependent(s); but you must present such evidence when your F-2 dependents apply for a F-2 visa and enter the US in F-2 status. If at any time you no longer have F-1 status your F-2 dependents also lose status.

Study and Employment in F-2 Status

F-2 dependents have limited study privileges and are not allowed to work while in the US.

• F-2 spouses may study, but only on a part-time basis; full-time study is not permitted
• F-2 children are allowed to attend elementary or secondary school

Notes

• Children lose F-2 eligibility once they reach 21
• If your F-1 status ends for any reason, your dependents lose F-2 status