Having your family join you during your exchange visitor program at FIU
is a very important decision. While it can be very exciting to think
about having your spouse and/or children join you in the United States,
there are many things that must be considered before you make this
important decision.
You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents.
Minimum required monthly costs are $600 for the spouse and $400 per
child. In addition, health and accident insurance is mandatory for all
dependents of scholars in J-1 status, per Federal regulation and
University requirements. You must enroll your family in the FIU’s
medical insurance plan at the time you request the DS-2019. Failure to
enroll your family or continue their enrollment in the medical insurance
plan is a *violation of your status.*
If you decide to bring your spouse and/or children to the United States
as your dependents, you must submit a request for a DS-2019 to ISSS. The
request must be submitted with proof of sufficient financial support.
You must enroll enroll your family in the FIU medical insurance plan
prior to issuance of the DS-2019. You must also demonstrate proof of
sufficient financial support at the time of visa application. This is
because US Immigration law requires that all foreign nationals entering
the US have either a sponsor or present proof of sufficient financial
resources so as not to become a "public charge."
Once your spouse and/or children arrive in the United States, they must
check in with ISSS. As J-2s, they will be able to enroll in school or
apply for work authorization with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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