Visa Information for Dependents

Request an I-20/DS-2019 for Dependents

As long as you have enough additional funding to support them, your spouse and children under age 21 are eligible to accompany you to the U.S. with a dependent visa (F-2 or J-2).

You must request a dependent I-20 or DS-2019 document for each of your eligible dependents. Dependents are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.

For more information, contact the UMN office responsible for your documents:

If you are a J-1 student and have a DS-2019, contact the following:

  • Issued by the UMN: [email protected]
  • Issued by a different J-1 program (for example, Fulbright): Your placement office

The additional costs of dependents are listed on the Financial Certification Statement that accompanied your admission application. These costs are the minimum and cannot be reduced. Living in the United States comes with costs you may not have in your home country, such as health insurance and rent, and other necessities may be more expensive than you expect. In addition, some costs can change quite a bit throughout the year, such as a higher heating bill during winter.

Health Insurance for Dependents

You are required to purchase the University of Minnesota Health Insurance for your dependents throughout your time as a student at UMN. To find the specific rates for health insurance, visit the Student Health Benefits Office.

The health insurance requirement is often confusing to international students. Unlike most other countries, the U.S. has no universal health care. Health care costs are extremely high without health insurance. For example, fixing a broken leg can cost $7,500, and the average cost of staying in a hospital for three days is $30,000. Health insurance reduces these costs.

Work and Study Regulations for Dependents

F-2 Visas

  • Dependents on F-2 visas are not, under any circumstances, allowed to earn income in the United States.
  • F-2 visa holders are not allowed to be a full-time student at a university or other post-secondary institution in the U.S.

Learn more about F-2 dependents. 

J-2 Visas

  • Dependents on J-2 visas may be authorized to work in the United States by the Immigration Service. Applications for a J-2 Work Permit are available at ISSS.
  • J-2 dependents are allowed to be students. 

Learn more about J-2 dependents. 

Last updated: March 29, 2023