Adding F-2/J-2 Dependents

Updated: 07/31/2023

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?

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 Admissions

Before Submitting Admission Application:

On your USC admission application, 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:

  1. 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 Admissions)
  2. Passport photo page with expiration date and passport number for each dependent (sample document)
  3. Marriage certificate, if requesting I-20/DS-2019 for spouse
After Submitting Admission Application:

Students or scholars who have already submitted their USC admission application without dependent information but would like to retroactively add dependents to their I-20/DS-2019 request must submit their request to USC Admissions for processing.

Complete USC Admissions Inquiry Form with the below information.  Any errors or failure to submit the required documents will cause significant delays with I-20/DS-2019 processing.

  • First Name – Enter your first name as it appears on your passport
  • Last Name – Enter your surname/family name as it appears on your passport
  • USC Email Address – Enter your @usc.edu email
  • USC ID – Enter your USC ID
  • Select an Area – Undergraduate students select “Undergraduate Admission”; Graduate students select “Graduate Admission” and their USC school
  • Select a Category – Select “Immigration Matters (I-20s, Visas, etc.) and “Request revisions on USC I-20/DS-2019”
  • Subject – Write “Request to Add Dependent(s)”
  • Question – Write the total number of dependents you are requesting documents for and provide the following information for each dependent:
    • Last Name – Enter surname/family name as it appears on dependent passport
    • First name – Enter first name as it appears on dependent passport
    • Gender – Male or female
    • Relationship to F-1/J-1 student: Spouse or child
    • Date of birth – Format as MM/DD/YYYY
    • Country of birth
    • Country of citizenship
  • Attach documents – Upload the following copies:
Accessing I-20s / DS-2019s

Upon receiving the dependent I-20/DS-2019 request and required documentation, USC Admissions will process the student and dependent(s) I-20/DS-2019s. Please allow at least 14 days for the I-20s 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
  1. F-1 student submits I-20 Request Form (select “F-2 dependent I-20(s)” as the reason for the request)
  2. Student receives form submission confirmation email from OIS@usc.edu and replies to the email with copies of the following documents (PDF format only):
    • 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:

  1. 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.

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