Updated: 06/26/2025
See below for information on requesting F-2/J-2 dependent I-20/DS-2019 based on current student status.
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- Who is considered a dependent?
- Prospective or New F-1/J-1 Students or Scholars
- Current F-1/J-1 Students
Who is considered a dependent?
Spouse and child(ren) under the age of 21 of the F-1 or J-1 visa holder are considered dependents.
If you are expecting a child:
You must submit valid passport copies for all children, including infants and newborns (if the baby is expected to be born prior to travel to the United States). They will be required to receive a dependent I-20/DS-2019 and have a separate F-2/J-2 visa on their passport.
If you are planning to marry before arriving in the U.S.:
USC is only able to process dependent (spouse) I-20/DS-2019 requests after the date of marriage listed on your marriage certificate has passed. In addition, the marriage certificate issuance date must be prior to the date the dependent plans to arrive in the United States. OIS will require a copy of the passport on which your spouse is planning to enter the U.S. I-20s / DS-2019s to both F-1 and F-2 spouses will be issued together, after marriage, once the necessary documents have been received.
Domestic partners, fiancés, student’s parents, or other relatives:
As per the guidelines outlined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), dependents who fall into these categories are not eligible for an F-2/J-2 visa and therefore cannot be issued dependent I-20s / DS-2019s.
Prospective or New F-1/J-1 Students
I-20/DS-2019s Issued by: USC Office of Admission
Before Submitting Admission Application:
On your USC Office of Admission I-20/DS-2019 request, please list all family members you intend to bring with you when you arrive at USC. You must submit passport copies for all dependents receiving an I-20/DS-2019 from USC. Adding dependents after your I-20/DS-2019 has been issued may create serious delays in issuing new I-20/DS-2019s for you and your family.
Students must be prepared to submit copies of:
- Additional proof of financial support covering a minimum of $14,253 USD for spouse and $7,127 USD per child (financial documents must meet all requirements specified by USC Office of Admission)
- Passport photo page with expiration date and passport number for each dependent (sample document)
- Marriage certificate, if requesting I-20/DS-2019 for spouse
After Submitting Admission Application:
If you already requested an I-20/DS-2019 and did not include your dependents, but now want to add them to your I-20 or DS-2019, you must submit an I-20 request again or DS-2019 request again (Topic: Immigration Matters) to the USC Office of Admission. This request must be submitted at least 45 days before the start of classes to allow time for processing.
Accessing I-20s / DS-2019s
Upon receiving the dependent I-20/DS-2019 request and required documentation, the USC Office of Admission will process the student and dependent(s) I-20/DS-2019s. Please allow at least 14 days for the document(s) to be issued. Once processed, students and scholars will be notified via their @usc.edu email to access their I-20/DS-2019s electronically.
Dependent Visa Application Process
After receiving the dependent I-20/DS-2019s, the dependent(s) applies for the F-2 or J-2 visa at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country with the supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. To avoid any complications, it is recommended dependents apply for their dependent visa(s) with the F-1/J-1 visa holder.
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Current F-1/J-1 Students or Scholars
I-20/DS-2019s Issued by: OIS
F-2 Dependent I-20 Requests
To process F-2 Dependent I-20 requests, OIS will need the following documents from the F-1 visa holder:
- Dependent(s) I-20 Request Form
- Passport photo page with expiration date and passport number of each dependent (sample document)
- Proof of funding or bank statement in U.S. dollars and dated within the past three months covering at least $14,253 USD for spouse and $7,127 USD per child
Processing time for dependent I-20 requests is seven (7) business days. The dependent I-20(s) will be signed electronically and emailed to F-1 student’s USC email account. U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and Department of State (DoS) accept electronically signed I-20s.
The dependent(s) must apply for the F-2 visa(s) at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country with their F-2 I-20(s) and all other supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
J-2 Dependent DS-2019 Requests
To process J-2 Dependent DS-2019 requests, OIS will need the following documents from the J-1 visa holder:
- DS-2019 Student Dependent Request Form or DS-2019 Scholar Dependent Request Form
- Passport photo page with expiration date and passport number of each dependent (sample document)
- Proof of funding or bank statement in U.S. dollars and dated within the past three months covering at least $14,253 USD for spouse and $7,127 USD per child
Processing time for dependent DS-2019 requests is ten (10) business days. The dependent DS-2019(s) will be signed electronically and emailed to the J-1 student’s USC email account. U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and Department of State (DoS) accept electronically signed DS-2019s.
The dependent(s) must apply for the J-2 visa(s) at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country with their J-2 DS-2019(s) and all other supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.