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Global Services

Bringing Dependents

Global Services is the place to start for assistance with forms and processing when you are bringing a spouse and/or dependents with you to WSU. We welcome you and your family to the WSU community!

Important

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student or scholar and your Program Sponsor is not WSU, please contact your Program Sponsor directly regarding bringing dependents.

Your spouse or unmarried child(ren) under 21 may accompany you under F-2, J-2 or H-4 dependent status while you pursue a program of study, research or teaching in the U.S.

Non-immediate family members must enter in their own non-immigrant status, most commonly as B-2 visitors. They may also come later, entering the US by themselves.

Procedures (J-2/F-2 Requests)

Step 1	Submit the following documents to Global Services in Bryan 108: Completed request forms Request for I-20 for F-1 Students Request for DS-2019 for Students Request for DS-2019 for Scholars Financial Documentation (e.g. bank statement, proof of grad assistantship, letter from employer or sponsor, etc.) Once Global Services adds your dependent(s) to your SEVIS record, a new I-20/DS-2019 is issued to you and each of your accompanying dependent.
Step 2	Provide your dependent(s) with the following documents for visa application. New F-2/J-2 I-20/DS-2019 (original) Your new I-20/DS-2019 (copy) Your passport biographical page (copy) Your F-1/J-1 visa stamp (copy) Your I-94 card (copy of front and back side) Financial documentation (e.g. bank statement; proof of graduate assistantship, letter from employer or sponsor) Your letter of invitation. Visa support letter from Global Services (optional)
Step 3	Your dependent(s) should contact their local U.S. Embassy/Consular Office at http://usembassy.state.gov/ and follow the procedures for F-2/J-2 visa application.
Step 4	When your dependent(s) arrives in Pullman, have them check in at Global Services and provide a copy of each dependent’s immigration documents and proof of insurance for J-2 dependents.

Family Visiting in B-2

If you would like to invite your parents or other immediate family members for a short visit in the U.S. Global Services can write a support letter for their B-2 visa application.

Request a Letter

Your family member(s) should also contact their local U.S. Embassy/Consular Office at http://usembassy.state.gov/ and follow the procedures for B-2 visa application

Financial Support

Whether you decide to bring your family members with you at the time of your initial entry or at a later time, you are required to show evidence for each dependent of adequate financial support.

J-2 dependents are required by law to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance coverage. Global Services strongly encourages F-2s and H-4s to obtain health insurance as well.

The additional amount of financial support you must show for each F-2 and J-2 dependent is shown at the bottom of the linked worksheet below (H-4 Excluded). See H-4 FAQ):

Estimate of Expenses

Washington State University