J-2 Dependent(s)
A J-2 dependent's status is linked to the J-1 principal participant’s legal status and thus dependents will have the same program end date as the J-1 principal participant.
- If the J-1 principal participant is subject to the 212(e) two-year home country physical presence requirement, J-2 dependents are automatically subject to that requirement as well.
- If the J-1 principal participant is subject to a 12-month bar and/or 24-month bar on participating in a Research Scholar or Professor program, J-2 dependents are subject to the bar as well.
Requesting a DS-2019 for J-2 Dependents
You can request a DS-2019 for a J-2 dependent at the time of requesting an initial DS-2019 for the J-1 program or at any point during the J exchange visitor program.
To request a DS-2019 for a dependent spouse and/or child (unmarried minor under 21 years of age), you must submit the J-2 Dependent Request (available in the J-1 Scholar Services section of the MyISSS portal).
- There are four e-forms in the the J-2 Dependent Request that must be submitted in order.
- Within 2-5 business days of submitting Part 1 of the J-2 Dependent Request, ISSS will review the e-form, approve it, and send you an email with the estimated funding amount required for adding dependent(s) to your J-1 SEVIS record.
- This action will unlock the J-2 Financial Support Documentation Submission Form.
- The final e-form cannot be accessed until all the other e-forms in the request have been submitted.
- Within 2-5 business days of submitting Part 1 of the J-2 Dependent Request, ISSS will review the e-form, approve it, and send you an email with the estimated funding amount required for adding dependent(s) to your J-1 SEVIS record.
- Each e-form is required; ISSS will not process an incomplete J-2 Dependent Request.
Documentation Required for the J-2 Dependent Request
- Clear photocopy of dependent(s)’ passport ID page(s)
- Official financial support documentation (ISSS will provide financial estimate)
J-2 Dependent Check-In
If your dependent(s) join you for your initial entry to the U.S. for the J-1 exchange visitor program:
- You will report their arrival and submit their I-94 arrival record in the Immigration Check-In e-form you submit upon arriving in the U.S.
If your dependent(s) join you after your initial entry to the U.S. for the J-1 exchange visitor program:
- You must submit the J-2 Dependent Immigration Check-In e-form (available in the J-1 Scholar Services section of the MyISSS portal).
Terminating J-2 Dependent Status
Once a dependent obtains J-2 status, ISSS will only terminate the dependent SEVIS record if credible evidence of one of the following events is submitted:
- Legal divorce (if the dependent is the J-1 exchange visitor's spouse)
- Death
- The dependent requests termination of his/her SEVIS record.
Please submit proof of change of status or departure from the U.S. (e.g., home country entry stamp) to ISSS.
Studying in J-2 Status
J-2 spouses and minor children may enroll in school at any level without having to change status. Full-time or part-time, and recreational or degree-seeking study is allowable.
Employment Authorization in J-2 Status
J-2 dependents are eligible to apply to USCIS for employment authorization, provided that the employment is not intended to support the J-1 principal participant. Income earned from employment may be used for recreational, cultural, and/or travel activities.
A J-2 dependent may begin working only after receiving an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. The EAD authorizes unrestricted, full-time or part-time work.
J-2 dependents can request employment authorization for the duration of the J-1 principal’s program, up to a maximum of four years or until the DS-2019 end date, whichever is shorter. While regulations allow authorization for the full duration, USCIS often grants EADs in one-year increments. If authorization is granted for less than the maximum allowable period, the J-2 dependent must submit an additional application to USCIS before the current EAD expires.
The J-2 dependent must submit the employment authorization application directly to USCIS via the form I-765. As this is a personal petition, ISSS cannot provide guidance on the application process nor submit the application on the dependent’s behalf. Applicants should review the most recent Form I-765 instructions from USCIS for detailed guidance on completing the application.
The application requires evidence that any income from this employment authorization will not be used to support the J-1 exchange visitor. Please see the following sample letter as a guide for addressing this requirement:
Travel in J-2 Status
J-2 dependents may travel independently of the J-1 principal participant or remain in the U.S. while the J-1 primary travels outside the U.S. as long as J-1 principal participant’s absence is brief and temporary and everyone is maintaining valid J status. If the J-2 dependent(s) will depart the U.S. prior to the end date of the J-1 principal participant and will not return prior to J-1 principal participant’s program end date, this must be reported to ISSS so that the SEVIS record can be updated. This is a regulatory requirement.
When seeking re-entry to the U.S., dependents must present: their DS-2019 with current travel signature, valid passport, valid visa (exception: Automatic Visa Revalidation), and may be asked to provide proof of the J-1’s status (e.g., copies of the J-1 documents).