Dependents

Bringing Dependents to the United States

International students may be accompanied by family members to the United States at any time.

A dependent is defined as the spouse and/or unmarried minor child of the student.

Children over the age of 21 are not eligible to enter as dependents of an international student (F-1 or J-1). Dependents of international students may apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa at the same time the international student applies for an F-1 or J-1 visa, or they may apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa at a later date. If granted a visa, they may enter the United States when the international student arrives, or they may enter the United States at a later time.

If you would like to bring dependents to the United States, please contact your Immigration Advisor (DSO) to request an I-20 or DS-2019 for your dependent. You will need your dependent's passport, marriage certificate (for a dependent spouse) or birth certificate (for a dependent child), and proof of additional financial support of at least $3,500 USD per dependent.

Travel

The same rules apply to travel for dependents as for international students. A signature from the school's Designated School Official (DSO) is still required for re-entry into the United States.

Study/Education

A spouse holding an F-2 visa is not permitted to study full-time at any school in the United States. However, an F-2 spouse is permitted to study part-time. F-2 dependent children may only study full-time at the elementary or secondary school level (Kindergarten through grade 12).

An F-2 spouse who wishes to pursue full-time study must apply for a change of nonimmigrant classification status (e.g., from F-2) to F-1 status.

A J-2 spouse may study full-time in the United States.

Work/Employment

Dependents of F-1 students may not apply for work authorization in the United States, as the F-2 visa does not permit this. F-2 dependents will not be able to be employed in the United States.

Dependents of J-1 students are permitted to work in the United States with appropriate work authorization. This authorization can only be applied for after the J-2 has entered the United States, and it may take up to three to four months for USCIS to grant work authorization. A J-2 spouse may not begin working until they receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The EAD is only issued for a 12-month period and may be renewed each year as long as the J-2 spouse remains in J-2 status.

When Does F-2 or J-2 Visa Status End?

F-2 and J-2 dependents are eligible to remain in the United States as long as the F-1 or J-1 student remains in valid status. After an F-1 completes their program of study, F-1 and F-2 dependents are eligible to remain in the United States for up to 60 days. After a J-1 completes their program of study, J-1 and J-2 dependents are eligible to remain in the United States for up to 30 days.