IS

    F-2 Rights   

The following information summarizes some of the most important privileges and rights granted to your F-1 principal visa holder and which also apply to you under regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• Immigration Documents
  • If you should lose or have them stolen, you have the right to have your Form I-20 and Form I-94 replaced since they are required documents during your stay in the U.S.
• Holidays and Vacations
• You may remain in the U.S. and considered to be in lawful F-2 status during holidays and vacation periods observed by BYU, including summer vacations, provided (1) your spouse is eligible and intends to register for the next school semester (the semester immediately following a summer vacation), and (2) the “completion of studies” date in item #5 of your Form I-20 will not be reached before your spouse resumes study.
• Travel
  • Within the United States—You may travel freely within the United States provided you maintain your lawful F-1 status and have your valid passport, Form 1-20, and Form I-94 in your possession.
  • Outside the United States—You may leave the United States at any time. You may return later to the U.S. provided you have
    • a valid passport containing an valid F-1 visa, and
    • a new Form I-20 or a Form I-20 properly endorsed for re-entry.
  • Thirty Day Visa Law—If you travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, you may be eligible to re-enter the U.S. even if the F-1 visa in your passport has expired, provided you have a valid Form I-94, passport and Form I-20. If you apply for a visa during these 30 days and are denied, you may not re-enter the U.S. but must return home and obtain a new visa. The Thirty Day Rule does not apply to you if you are out of status.
• Length of Time You May Remain in the United States
  • You may remain until the program end date stipulated in item #5 on your Form I-20. However, upon meeting the eligibility requirements, if your spouse needs additional time to complete their program, they may apply for an extension of program.
• F-2 Benefits and Other Family Members
  • Upon qualification for F-2 dependent visa status, your children may join you.
  • You may take recreational and vocational/avocational classes but may not work.
  • If you desire to attend school full time, you must apply for F-1 status and be admitted to a program of study.
  • Other members of your family (father, mother, brothers, sisters, etc.) may be able to visit you (usually on B-2 visitor status).

• Completion of Degree Requirements
• Upon qualification and completion of your spouse's degree requirements, you may do one of the following:
  • Change to another status (i.e., B, J, H) or
  • Return to your home country during the 60-day grace period unless your spouse is eligible for Optional Practical Training and then you may remain in the country with your spouse.

Additional information is available from International Services. We offer information, advising and assistance on all federal regulations related to maintaining your F-2 dependent status.

   F-2 Responsibilities   

The following information summarizes some of the most important obligations and responsibilities your F-1 principal has and which also apply to you regarding United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations. For further information, you should also read and understand "Instructions to Students" on page 2 of your Form I-20.

• Immigration Documents
  • Passport
    • Maintain a valid passport at all times unless you are Canadian.
    • Apply immediately for a replacement from your home country's embassy or consulate if you lose it. List of embassies
  • Form I-20.
    • Read carefully and observe completely the information on page two of your Form I-20.
    • Extend its completion date if you need more time to complete your studies. more
    • Request immediately a new one from International Services if you lose it.
  • Form I-94—Apply to USCIS through our office for a replacement if you lose it; this process requires payment of a U.S. government fee.

• Check In and Attendance—Report to the school which USCIS has authorized as stipulated on your Form I-20.

• Full Course of Study—You may not enroll in a full-course of studies, but may engage in recreational or avocational study upon receiving authorization from International Services.

• Employment—You may not engage in any employment or business under any circumstances.

• Travel Outside the United States
• Documents—Have the following valid documents in your possession in order to travel outside the U.S. and successfully return in F-2 status:
  • Passport
  • F-1 visa
  • Form I-94
  • Form I-20
• Returning to BYU—Request certification of your status and take your Form I-20 to International Services for a verification signature on page three within six months prior to leaving the U.S.
• Returning to United States But to a Different School—Obtain an initial Form I-20 from the new school before departing.

• Length of Time You May Remain in the United States
• Complete your program of studies by the completion date listed on item #5 on your Form I-20.
• Apply for an extension of the program of studies end date prior to its expiration if more time to complete is needed. Check with International Services for details.

• Further Information—Keep all copies of Form I-20s issued. You will need them when you apply for a USCIS benefit.

• Failure to Comply with Responsibilities
• If you fail to comply with your Immigration responsibilities, you may lose your dependent status, and thus, not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-2 dependents, such as travel signatures on your Form I-20.

Additional information is available from International Services. We offer information, advising and assistance on all federal regulations related to maintaining your F-2 dependent status.

  SEVIS Records 

What is SEVIS?

• An acronym for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
• Established by U.S. law and administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Used for tracking arrivals, enrollments, addresses, departures and other information of F-1s and their dependents
• Supported by a $100 government fee paid by initial principal entrants to the U.S.
• System information is available to U.S. Department of State officials at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at ports of entry to the United States
• more

How does SEVIS interact with students and BYU?

• Upon admitting an international student, the university enters their information into SEVIS and requests a Form I-20. When approved, SEVIS creates and sends to BYU via the internet a Form I-20 for the student and any requested dependents who will be accompanying the F-1.
• Initial Entry
  • An initial entrant F-1 then pays a $100 SEVIS fee on-line (details) and shows proof of payment in order to apply for a visa or to enter the United States. This includes Canadians. SEVIS Fee information
  • The entrant applies for a visa through the U.S. consulate abroad; during the processing, the consulate determines through SEVIS that the I-20 is valid and, if other requirements are met, issues a visa.
• When the person arrives at the U.S. port of entry, the DHS officer checks the SEVIS record, and upon admittance, records the entry and status into SEVIS.
• As the person arrives on campus and reports to International Services, BYU confirms the arrival in SEVIS.
• As BYU supports the person's compliance in maintaining their lawful status and other requests during their stay here, BYU electronically reports required information to SEVIS.

What is BYU required to report to SEVIS? Reportable information includes but is not limited to the following:

• Personal
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Country of birth and country of citizenship
  • Dependent information
  • U.S. residential address changes
  • Change in legal name
• Financial
  • Initial sources of financial resources
  • Changes in financial resources
• Status
  • Failure to maintain status or complete program, including termination date and reason
  • Reinstatement information after any violations