APPLYING FOR AN F-2/J-2 VISA FOR A SPOUSE OR CHILD
Students currently in F-1 or J-1 visa status who wish to add their legally married spouse and/or unmarried minor children (under 21 years old) as an F-2 or J-2 dependent status will need to obtain a Form I-20 (F-2) or DS-2019 (J-2) for each dependent from the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO).
All other relatives who wish to come to the U.S. to visit should apply for B-2 (tourism and visit) visa status or the Visa Waiver Program, if eligible.
- Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
- Go to "Services" tab.
- Select "Dependent I-20/DS-2019 Request".
- Fill out your request.
- Upload a PDF copy of your bank statement(s) or financial support letter(s).
- The funds need to cover estimated expenses for your tuition & fees.
- The funds also need to cover combined living expenses, other expenses and dependent expenses for both yourself and your F-2/J-2 dependent.
- You must show funding to cover expenses for 12 months or the remainder of your study, whichever is less.
- For more information on funding documents requirements, visit our Funding Requirements page.
- Upload a PDF copy of dependent’s biographical page from passport
- Upload a PDF copy of marriage certificate (spouse dependent) or birth certificate (child dependent) with English translation.
- "Submit" your request.
- A new I-20/DS-2019 for your F-2/J-2 dependent will be issued within 5 business days.
- You can check the status of your request anytime by logging in to iPortal and clicking on "My Requests" tab
- A notification email will be sent to you when your document is ready.
- Sign your dependent's new I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it and give it to your dependent.
- Your F-2 dependent will need to do one of the following two actions:
- Apply for an F-2 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence, and then enter the U.S. with the F-2 visa stamp in their passport, or
- If your dependent is already in the U.S. in a different visa status, and prefers not to travel outside the U.S. to do the option 1 described above, they will need to file an I-539 Application To Change Status (COS) with USCIS while remaining in the U.S. Your dependent is required to maintain their current visa status while their COS is pending with USCIS.