INFORMATION CONCERNING HAVING YOUR SPOUSE OR CHILD JOIN YOU IN THE U.S.A.

(Obtaining an F-2 or J-2 visa overseas)

NOTE:

Only spouses or children of a non-immigrant qualify for dependent status; any other relatives are not eligible for F-2 or J-2 visas and must obtain tourist visas to visit you. Your dependents will need to present the following documents at the U.S. Embassy when they apply for F-2 or J-2 visas; please obtain the following items and send them to your family:

1. A current I-20/IAP-66 with the name, birth date, place of birth, and citizenship of the dependent noted appropriately on the form.

2. Certification of enrollment or program from the university.

3. Documents supporting your financial situation such as:
   • letter from your department certifying assistantship/scholarship. This letter should be addressed "To Whom It May Concern" and should state:
     1. That you are a full-time student in your department
     2. Your degree program (major)
     3. The amount you are paid per month
     4. What percentage of your tuition is covered by the assistantship/scholarship
   • personal bank statement (if you do not have other sufficient funding)
   • if your family is supporting you, you will need a letter from them verifying that they will support you and your dependents for the duration of your studies, and a letter from your family's bank verifying that they have sufficient funds to do so
   • I-134 (affidavit of support) from a US. sponsor (only if you do not have an assistantship or other funds). A copy of your private sponsor's paycheck and/or tax return, and letter from employer verifying employment and salary must be included with form I-134.
   • PLEASE NOTE: If you have documents certifying your finance which are more than six months old, you will need to obtain new, more current documents for your spouse to submit to the embassy.

4. Photocopy of your passport, I-94, and F-1 or J-1 visa
5. University of Arkansas transcripts (if you've been here 1 semester or longer)
6. Marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child)
7. Letter of invitation from you addressed to 'Visa Officer' stating:
   • your purpose for being in the US.
   • your family member's purpose for visiting you
   • approximate date they will enter the US.
   • approximate length of time they will be in the US.
   • how you will support yourself and your family

Your dependent must take all of this information to the US visa officer with their passport and evidence that they plan to return to their country of residence.

If your dependent is denied a visa, ask them to obtain the reason for the denial in writing so your foreign student adviser will be able to try to assist you.

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