International Students

Immigration:

Bringing Family Members To CSU Monterey Bay:
A Guide For International Students

International students planning to bring their family members to the US during the course of their study need to understand some of the challenges faced by dependents and are required to follow specific approval procedures.

Financial

It costs money to bring dependents to the US. Do you have sufficient funds to support your family members? Unfortunately, F-2 visa holders (dependents of F-1 visa holders) are NOT allowed to work in the U.S. under any circumstances. Before issuing any documents, the Office of International Programs will need to see evidence of adequate financial support for family members.

It is recommended that you complete, for yourself, a one-page list 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 for your dependents, and any miscellaneous items. You should then project additional expenses for the family if they were to stay with you in the US 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 US 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.

Medical Expenses And Child Care

Medical care in the US is very expensive. This is especially true when medical insurance is purchased for family members. However, 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, and what are the benefits available for pregnancy?

Day care costs need to be considered if you will need to have someone care for your child while attending classes. CSU Monterey Bay offers child care on a space available basis at the Child Development Center with priority given to upper-division students. Off campus child care can be prohibitively expensive with the monthly cost for full time day care ranging from $500 - $1,000 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.

In addition, 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.

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.

Documents Required To Bring Family Members To The U.S.

In order to bring your family members to the U.S., you will need to bring the following documents to the Office of International Programs:

1. Completed and signed F-1 Document Request Form
   
   
2. Your I-20 ID
   
   
3. Passport
   
   
4. I-94 card
   
   
5. A copy of your marriage certificate (both in your native language as well as an official English translation)
   
   
6. Evidence from you 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.
   
   
7. Birth certificates of any children

Please Allow 5 Working Days To Process Your Request

Upon approval, the Office of International Programs will issue you an I-20 form for 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 an F-2 visa.

We hope this information will help you think through some of these issues. If you have further questions, staff at the Office of International Programs will be pleased to assist you.