International Student and Scholar Services

Dependents of an F-1 or J-1

INFORMATION FOR REQUESTING A DEPENDENT JOIN YOU IN THE US

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and would like to bring a dependent to the U.S. with you while you study, you will need to complete the Request for a Dependent through iStart (http:istart.wku.edu) and bring to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services the following information:

• Last Name of Dependent
• First Name of Dependent
• Middle Name of Dependent
• Date of Birth of Dependent
• City of Birth of Dependent
• Country of Birth of Dependent
• Country of Citizenship of Dependent
• Country of Permanent Legal Residence of the Dependent
• Gender of Dependent
• Relationship of Dependent to Student with copy of marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (children)
• Proof of $5,000 USD(for first Dependent) and $3000 USD for each dependent after the first.
• Copy of Dependent’s Passport

This information will be used to create an I-20 or DS-2019 for the dependent(s).

The dependent(s) will need to take the following documents to the visa appointment for the F-2 or J-2 dependent visa:

• A copy of F-1 student’s I-20 or J-1 student's DS-2019
• A copy of F-1 or J-1 student’s passport biographical page and expiration date
• A copy of F-1 or J-1 student’s I-94 card
• Proof of F-1 or J-1 student’s health insurance
• Proof (original financial documents) that you have at least an extra $5000USD to support first dependent and $3000USD for each dependent after the first
• Proof (receipt) that the F-1 or J-1 student paid the SEVIS I-901 fee
• A letter from ISSS inviting spouse/child
• Dependent's I-20 or DS-2019 (these must be signed by the F-1or J-1 student)
• Dependent's passport
• Original Marriage Certificate/Birth Certificate proving relationship between F-1 or J-1 and dependent(s)
• Any other documents the US Embassy requires--check the US Embassy website for the F-1 or J-1's country (Examples include: Visa application form, proof of Machine Readable fee payment, copy of F-1 or J-1 student's transcripts, etc.)