Eligibility
Students in valid F-1 status may request dependent I-20s for the following:
- Married spouse
- Unmarried child or children under the age of 21
F-1 Students may request a dependent I-20 at any point during their degree program or during Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Requesting a Dependent I-20
Cystart Request
This is an electronic process completed through Cystart. The link for Cystart can be found on the ISSO homepage. Log in to Cystart using ISU NetID and password. Once in Cystart, select F-1 Student Services and complete the Dependent I-20 e-form.
Required Documentation
- Request for Dependent I-20: Student Request form
- Documentation of relationship to dependent
- For spouse: Marriage certificate, copy of both original and English translation
- For child or children: Child's birth certificate, copy of both original and English translation
- Copy of dependent's passport
- Proof of financial support for next two semesters, or amount of time remaining in program of study
- Financial support must cover tuition and living expenses for you plus living expenses and health insurance for all dependents. Refer to the Expense Worksheet to understand how much financial support is required.
- ISSO accepts U.S. bank statements, international bank statements, Letter of Intents for graduate assistants, etc.
- ISSO does not accept property statements, job offer letters, pay stabs, or 401K statements as proof of funding as funds must be readily available.
- Financial documents more than 3 months old will not be accepted.
- Consult with an International Student Advisor on other acceptable financial support documentation.
Timeline
ISSO can take up to 10 working days to process the CyStart Dependent I-20 Request page and issue new F-1 and F-2 dependent I-20s.
Benefits and Limitations of F-2 Status
Health Insurance Requirement for F-2 Dependents
Iowa State University requires all international students and their accompanying dependents to enroll in the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program (ISU SSHIP). F-1 students are required to update the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program (isusship@iastate.edu) of their dependents arrival to the United States so that their F-2 dependents are added to their health insurance. Additional information on health insurance is listed on the ISU Health Insurance page.
Enrollment Limitations
ISSO recommends the F-2 spouse meet with an International Student Advisor before any enrollment. F-2 dependents are permitted to enroll in courses, however there are some restrictions:
- Kindergarten through 12th Grade: An F-2 child may enroll full time in an elementary or secondary school. Beyond twelfth grade, an F-2 child is only eligible for part-time enrollment.
- College or University: An F-2 dependent may enroll part time at a U.S. college or university. Classes may be recreational or degree-seeking. An F-2 dependent is never eligible for full-time enrollment at a U.S. college or university. At Iowa State University, part-time enrollment is defined as:
- Fall and Spring Semesters: 11 credits for undergraduate students and 8 credits for graduate students.
- Summer Semester: 5 credits for undergraduate students and 4 credits for graduate students.
Iowa State Spouse Tuition Rate
Spouses of students with a graduate assistantship at Iowa State are assessed tuition at the resident rate. Please contact the Registrar's Office for the spousal tuition benefit.
F-2 Dependents and Employment
An F-2 dependent is never eligible to accept employment, including CPT and OPT employment.
To be eligible for CPT or OPT, the F-2 dependent must become an F-1 student through a change of status. As an F-1 student, the spouse or child would be required to enroll full time and must be in valid F-1 status for a full academic year before eligible for CPT and OPT. ISSO defines an academic year as a fall and spring semester. Read in more detail on Change of Status.
Aging Out of F-2 Status
An F-2 child will lose their F-2 status on their 21st birthday. Before "aging out," an F-2 child must take action to continue to stay in the U.S., if desired. Read in more detail on Change of Status.
Social Opportunities in Ames
Check out additional F-2 Dependent Resources or see the Get Involved page for information on various events and opportunities.
Other Considerations
Financial Readiness
Students are encouraged to plan a budget to see if they will have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family. Budgetary considerations include: high daycare costs, housing and food increases, phone bill increases, and required health insurance for dependents.
Social Constraints
Students should also consider how much time they will spend away from their dependent(s) either on campus, in their office, and/or in their lab. Other possible considerations include English proficiency and whether dependents will be able to find social connections.
Reporting to ISSO
Students should report to ISSO in the following circumstances:
- Dependents have permanently departured the U.S.
- Dependents have changed their non-immigrant status
- Marital changes such as divorce