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Bringing your Family to Join YouIn order for UMBC students in F-1 visa status to bring their dependents (ie, husband, wife or children) to live with them in the United States, the IES office must first issue an I-20 in the student’s name verifying that the student has the funds necessary at her/his disposal to support those dependents.This is an important issue. We have had students who, after bringing their families, have lost their original source of funding and have found themselves unable to support their dependents. As you know, there are few work opportunities available for students on F-1 visas, and there are even fewer sources of emergency funds for those in hard times. While in the US in F-2 status, dependents are not allowed to work at all under any circumstances. This can put a tremendous strain on the student trying to complete a degree. The amount of support required for each dependent is $7,000 per dependent (2005-2006 school year figures, subject to change). This amount is added to section 7 of the student’s I-20, listing the estimated costs for an academic term at this school. We will then issue a new SEVIS I-20 for each dependent, marked "continued attendance at this school" and "use by dependents for entering the United States" in section 3, with the student's name and information on the left side and the dependent's name and information on the right. This document will be sent to your family, and they can take it to the embassy or consulate to request an F-2 visa. What will we consider adequate documentation of this support? This will vary somewhat depending on your individual situation. If you are receiving enough from your assistantship or scholarship to meet the whole amount, all we will require is written evidence that the funds will be available for the coming year. If you will be using personal funds, we will require that you provide us with bank statements showing at least a three month history of your account. What we are looking for is evidence that this money is yours and freely available for your use, not borrowed from friends to be returned once the I-20 is issued. International Education Services 224 Administration Bldg. 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250 Tel: +1.410.455-2624 Fax: +1.410.455-1130 E-mail: ies@umbc.edu |