ISSS
F-2 Dependents
Spouses and unmarried minor children (under 21 years old) of primary F-1 visa holders have the option to apply for an F-2 dependent visa. Their eligibility to stay legally in the U.S. and extend their stay depends on the primary F-1 visa holder maintaining their legal status.
To add a spouse or child as a dependent, the F-1 visa holder needs to contact SEVIS@cwu.edu and provide additional financial documentation for each family member (F-2 dependent).
Here are the regulations for F-2 dependents:
- F-2 dependents can study part-time at the postsecondary level in any certified program at an SEVP-certified school, as long as the study does not exceed full-time. Undergraduate F-2 visa holders can take up to 11 credits per quarter at CWU, while graduate F-2 visa holders can take up to 9 credits.
- F-2 dependents can engage in full-time avocational or recreational studies, such as hobbies.
- Employment in the U.S. is not allowed for individuals on an F-2 visa.
- F-2 minor children can enroll full-time in kindergarten through 12th grade schooling.
- F-2 children who are over 21 years old are no longer eligible for F-2 status. They would need to change to another status, such as F-1 (for fulltime students), if they wish to remain in the U.S.
- Once the F-1 student completes their studies, there is a 60-day grace period during which both the F-1 and F-2 visa holders can stay in the U.S. When the F-1 visa holder leaves the U.S., the F-2 dependents must also leave.
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