Family Dependent Invitation Request
Attached is the required paperwork that you will need to read and compete in order to invite your spouse and/or
dependents to join you in the United States.
The thought of having your spouse and/or children join you while you are studying in the United States at the University
of Wyoming can be very exciting. Knowing that your family will be with you, sharing your experiences, may provide a
sense of security and peace of mind. You may also believe that it will help you concentrate on your educational
objectives if you have members of your family with you. Unfortunately, this is not always true. As such, there are many
factors that must be considered before you make this important decision. Financial resources, health insurance,
housing, food, etc., are all areas that should be addressed.
The following information has been prepared to assist you and members of your family in deciding whether or not you
should have your dependents join you in the U.S. It describes some of the major obstacles which have been observed
as contributing to the adjustment problems of international spouses. It is important that both you and your spouse be
aware of these concerns and address them appropriately within your family.
Financial Support
You must provide documentation to ISS to show you have sufficient funding to support yourself, plus your spouse and/or
dependents while studying at UW. ISS is required to have this documentation by United States Citizenship and
Immigration (USCIS) to issue the dependent I-20’s. The documentation will also be required by the U. S.
Embassy/Consulate when they apply for their visas. This documentation may consist of a letter from your department to
verify a Graduate Assistantship or Scholarship, a letter from a bank verifying personal savings or checking amounts
which have been available for over 60 days, or an Affidavit of Support (I-134) www.uscis.gov from a personal sponsor.
USCIS considers this form to be legally binding for 3 years.
Amounts Required:
Spouse $5,500 and each Child: $3,250
Public Charge
“Public Charge” has been part of the U. S. immigration law for more than 100 years as a ground of inadmissibility and
deportation. An alien who is likely at any time to become a pubic charge is inadmissible and ineligible to become a lawful
permanent resident of the United States. Also, an alien can be removed from the United States if he or she becomes a
public charge within five years of entering the United States from causes that existed before entry.
The issue of becoming a public charge generates considerable public confusion and concern about whether a non-citizen
who is eligible to receive certain Federal, State, or local public benefits may face adverse immigration consequences as
a public charge for having received public benefits. This concern has prompted some non-citizens and their families to
deny themselves public benefits for which they are eligible – including disaster relief, treatment of communicable
diseases, immunizations, and children’s nutrition and health care programs – potentially causing harm to themselves and
the general public.
For more information, please refer to the USCIS website – www.uscis.gov - Click on Services & Benefits, listed at the
top, then Permanent Resident (Green Card) listed on the left side, and then on the right side, “What is a Public Charge?”
Health Insurance
Medical care in the U.S. is very expensive! Without health insurance there is no way to protect you and your family from
high medical costs. Also, not seeking medical attention when necessary can be very dangerous to you and your family’s
health, therefore medical insurance is a must.
International students at the University of Wyoming are required by University Regulations to participate in the
University’s Student Health Insurance Program. The UW program is covered under a group plan based on the number
of participants. Therefore there is already a comprehensive plan that is relatively inexpensive for the benefits provided.
The UW policy also offers an opportunity for dependents to obtain insurance coverage, although they are not required to
have the coverage under this policy. Dependents may obtain insurance coverage from any company that provides the
coverage they are looking to have. Please use an internet search engine to obtain a list of companies to compare
coverage and costs.
Please Note: All holders of a J visa, including spouse/dependents, are required by federal law to have mandatory health
insurance. Specific provisions of law require that the policy include a $50,000 medical evacuation, $25,000 repatriation,
and shall not have a deductible that exceeds $500 per accident or illness. UW’s student health insurance policy meets
these federal guideline for UW students and interested UW scholars. However UW benefited employee insurance does
not provide for the above specific requirements and they must be purchased separately from a private contractor. It is a
violation of your immigration status to not have insurance meeting the requirements and can result in a termination of
your program, SEVIS record, and possible enforced departure from the United States.
Other Considerations
Loneliness/Homesickness in the United States
Many spouses who come to the U. S. are not as fluent in English as the Principal F-1 or J-1 visa holder. Therefore
he/she may face great frustration and difficulty communicating with others on a daily basis without your assistance. You
have also found that your study, research and library time is critical. Therefore, your spouse is likely to feel very lonely
staying at home when you are busy at the University or the library. You may not be available to assist in simple tasks
outside of the home (such as shopping) where English fluency may be necessary. Remember that family members will
want your time and attention, and you will need to balance those demands with your academic work.
Employment
The high cost of living in the U. S. often requires both the husband and the wife to work. That, however, will not normally
be an option for your spouse. F-2 dependents are not, according to immigration laws, eligible for employment under any
circumstances. J-2 dependents may apply for work authorization from USCIS only under specific immigration guidelines.
This often causes frustration since your spouse may have a well established profession in your home country and will not
be able to continue with it while in the U. S.
Taking classes
The F-2 spouse of an F-1 student may study at a SEVIS-approved school but may not engage in full-time study. The F-2
child may only engage in full time study in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten thought twelfth grade) or
part-time at a SEVIS-approved post-secondary school. The F-2 spouse and child may engage in as much study that is
avocational or recreational in nature as they wish. There are no regulatory restrictions on study for J-2 dependents.
Housing
Whether you live on or off campus, you will require a larger apartment which will mean a higher rent each month. Having
your spouse or family with you will eliminate the option of cost sharing your rent and utilities with another student(s) due
to the need for family privacy
Conclusion
For additional information on housing, child care, health care and other things that should be considered before bringing
your family to the United States and UW, please refer to the International Students/Scholars Handbook at
https://www.uwyo.edu/iss/handbook/.
It cannot be emphasized enough that the overall cost of living in the U. S. is very high, and when an emergency occurs it
can be devastating. Therefore, you must seriously and realistically consider whether you can afford the extra time
commitment and financial expense you will have to make so that your family’s presence in the U. S. will be a comfort and
not a burden.
Please return to:
International Students & Scholars
Cheney International Center, Ste 5
Dept. 3228, 1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
SPOUSE AND/OR DEPENDENTS INFORMATION
PLEASE NOTE: Copies of all financial support must be attached to this document for dependent I-20’s or
DS-2019’s to be issued.
1. Name:
M/F?
First Name
Relationship:
Family/Last Name
Place of birth:
City and Country
Date of Birth:
Citizenship:
2. Name:
M/F?
First Name
Relationship:
Family/Last Name
Place of birth:
City and Country
Date of Birth:
Citizenship:
3. Name:
M/F?
First Name
Relationship:
Family/Last Name
Place of birth:
City and Country
Date of Birth:
Citizenship:
REQUESTED BY: (Student or Scholar Information)
Name:
W#
SEVIS #: N
Phone #:
Degree: (Students only)
Major/Department:
Visa Status:
E-mail:
F-1 or J-1
(Circle one)
Comments:
I agree to purchase health insurance coverage for my dependents as soon as they arrive in the U.S.
and to provide proof to International Students & Scholars within 30 days of their arrival.
I also agree to bring my spouse/dependent(s) passport and other travel documents to International
Students & Scholars for copying within 20 days of their arrival in Laramie.
Failure to comply with all requirements for my dependents could be a violation of my status and
result in termination of my program and possible enforced departure from UW and the United States.
Signature
Today’s Date
08/10/2015