Many international students at SF State are accompanied by their families. Often, family members will come to
SF State after the student has arrived. United families can help students benefit from their experience in SF.
In Addition, families from all around the world contribute significantly to the cultural experiences of the
SF State community. However, it is important that all international students who are requesting documents in
order to bring family members to SF State understand some of the challenges faced by dependents.
- Financial
- Medical Expenses and Child Care
- Cultural Adjustment
- Documents Required to Bring Family Members to the U.S.
- Travel With Minor Child
Financial
It costs money to bring dependents to the U.S. Do you have sufficient funds to support your family members? Before issuing any documents, the OIP will need to see evidence of adequate financial support for family members. Estimates of expenses are available at the OIP. Unfortunately, F-2 visa holders (dependents of F-1 visa holders) are NOT allowed to work in the U.S. under any circumstances.It is recommended that you complete, for yourself, a one page itemization of expenses for the last nine months (if a student) -- including tuition, books, medical expenses, automobile or transportation expenses, rent, food, utilities, laundry, entertainment, clothes, health insurance coverage, and miscellaneous expenses. You should then project additional expenses for the family and assess whether or not you have the necessary funds to cover these expenses.
If you receive financial support from a sponsor, either in the U.S. or overseas, does the sponsor understand that some of the funds will be used to bring your family to this country? If not, you should clarify this with your sponsor before bringing your dependents to the United States.
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Medical Expenses and Child Care
Medical care in the U.S. is very expensive. It is extremely important that you purchase adequate health insurance for your entire family. It is also very important to understand the medical coverage that you purchase. For example, does it cover pre-existing conditions? What are the benefits available for pregnancy?Child care is very expensive in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is estimated that the monthly cost for full time day care can range from $500 - $1,000 (or more), depending on the age of the child (this can mean anything from $10 to $20 per hour). While it is accepted in other countries that the extended family will help with child care, this is often not the case in the U.S. Children age 5 and older must attend school as the law requires. You should make inquiries to local schools concerning registration, the availability of programs in English as a Second Language, starting dates, etc.
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Cultural Adjustment
Remember that while you are here to be a student, family members often spend a great deal of time alone. Family members will also need attention and you will need to spend time with your family, sometimes when you feel that you should be studying. Family members may also experience loneliness and depression, and the demands that your studies make on you can sometimes lead to conflict and tension.Back to top
Documents Required to Bring Family Members to the U.S.
If you are currently attending SF State as an F1 student, you will need to provide the following documents in order to add your spouse and children to your SEVIS record:- Your current I-20
- Your passport and I-94
- Photocopy of your dependent鈥檚 passport (the bio page only)
- A copy of your marriage certificate (in your native language, with an official English translation)
- A copy of birth certificates of any children (in your native language, with an official English translation)
- Evidence from your sponsor of adequate financial support. In addition to showing adequate funding for yourself, you will need to show that your sponsor has an additional amount of $5,000 for your spouse and $5,000 for each child to cover their estimated 9-month living costs.
Upon approval, the International Student Advisor will issue you an I-20 for you and your family member(s). Your family member(s) will then need to take the I-20, marriage certificate, and evidence of financial support to the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate in your home country and apply for F-2 visa(s).
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Travel With Minor Child
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.For example, a child may be traveling from one country to another accompanied by only one parent. That parent will need to be able to present documentation regarding the parent's relationship to the child, and that the absent parent is aware of the travel and has given permission for the travel to take place.
The specific rules vary according to destination (Mexico is very strict in terms of documentation if a minor child is accompanied by only one parent), and most travel agents would have information available on this matter.
In general, the parent who is traveling with the minor child should have a copy of the birth certificate, or the original birth certificate for the child with him or her, in case asked to produce it (this would be in addition to the passport for the child). In addition, the parent who is traveling should also have a notarized affidavit, prepared by the parent who is NOT traveling, indicating the following information:
That the parent who is not traveling:
Is (full name and date of birth) who currently lives at (address)
Is the mother/father of (child's full name and date of birth)
Is the spouse of (traveling spouse's full name and date of birth)
That the parent who is not traveling has given permission for the parent who is traveling to go to
The letter would then be signed and stamped in the presence of a notary public.
See sample letter.
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