Dependents

According to the federal Department of Homeland Security regulations, a dependent is qualifying spouse and/or child(ren) of an F1 student visa holder.

Before applying to add a dependent to your I-20, it is important that both you and your dependent(s) understand the regulations that your dependent(s) will need to follow. 

Please ensure that both you and your dependent(s) carefully read through and understand all of the regulations before proceeding to the next step.

To be able to add a dependent, per the federal Department of Homeland Security regulations, you will need to show additional proof of finances.

If you add a dependent after your first year at WTAMU, you will need to show current finances for both you and your dependent(s). For the costs that you will need to show for both you and your dependent(s), please visit our Tuition and I-20 Costs page.

This page also includes a link to acceptable financial documents and the affidavit of support if someone other than the F1 visa holder will sponsor you and/or your dependent(s).

In addition to the financial verification, we will also need a copy of:

• Each dependent's passport biographic page
• Proof of relationship
  • Marriage Certificate for spouse
  • Birth Certificate(s) for child(ren)

Once the above steps are complete, you will need to submit the "Requesting Dependent/F2 Visa" request in your International Student Portal. 

A DSO will then process the request.

Once the request is complete and approved, a DSO will then issue you a new I-20. This I-20 will have additional pages and I-20s for your dependents. 

Your dependents will need a copy of your I-20 as well.

Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited while on the F2 dependent visa. This includes working remotely for a foreign entity while on US soil. Please refer to the F1 Visa Employment Regulations page for additional information on employment definitions.

As a result, F2 dependents are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN).

Adults on the F2 visa may enroll in classes part-time.

School-aged children are required to be enrolled in a K-12 program. You will need to reach out to and work with the school system in Canyon directly to enroll your child(ren) in school.

Both the student and F2 visa holders will receive a new I-20 each time the F1 student visa holder is issued a new I-20. 

Both the F1 visa holder and F2 visa holder(s) must use the most recent I-20