Bringing Family

Documents

A dependent of an F-1 student is issued Form I-20 in order to apply for a F-2 dependent entry visa (if abroad) or request a change of status to F-2 (if in the US).

• Obtaining an Emory-Issued F-2 I-20:
  • If the dependent will arrive with the student initially:
    • The F-1 student should request their dependent's I-20 at the same time that the student applies for their own I-20.
    • For more information on the new international student immigration document request process, visit ISSS' I-20/DS-2019 Request Process page.
  • If a dependent will arrive after the student's initial I-20 has been issued:
    • The F-1 student can request an F-2 dependent I-20 by logging into ISSS Link and completing the Add Dependent e-form found under the F-1 Student Services tab.
• Gaining F-2 Status
  • If the dependent is already in the US, they can apply for dependent status using Form I-539.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' Change of Status page.
  • If the dependent is outside the US:
    • No I-539 is required. Instead, the dependent should schedule an appointment with a US consulate to apply for an F-2 visa.
    • For visa application procedures and required documents, visit ISSS' Apply for a US Visa page.
    • For documentation to present at the port-of-entry, visit ISSS' Enter the US & Arrive to Campus page.

Employment

F-2 dependents are not allowed to earn income in the US under any circumstances.

Study

F-2 Spouses: Can enroll part-time in a degree program at an SEVP-certified school or university.

F-2 Children:

• Can be enrolled full-time in elementary or secondary education (K-12).
• Can enroll part-time in a degree program at an SEVP-certified school or university.

However, full-time enrollment at the college level is prohibited for all F-2 dependents. If an F-2 dependent wants to be a full-time student at the college level, they need to change their immigration status to F-1. If an F-2 dependent is interested in part-time degree programs at Emory, visit Emory's Degrees & Programs page to search "part-time" degree programs.

Health Insurance

ISSS strongly encourages students to purchase health insurance for their F-2 dependents due to the high cost of health care in the US, but F-2s are not legally required to obtain health insurance. 

Documents

A dependent of a J-1 student or scholar is issued Form DS-2019 in order to apply for a J-2 dependent entry visa (if abroad) or request a change of status to J-2 (if in the US).

• Obtaining an Emory-Issued J-2 DS-2019:
  • If the dependent will arrive with the student initially:
    • The J-1 student/scholar should request their dependent's DS-2019 at the same time that the student/scholar applies for their own DS-2019.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' I-20/DS-2019 Request Process page (J-1 students) or International Scholar Request Process page (J-1 scholars).
  • If a dependent will arrive after the exchange visitor's initial DS-2019 has been issued:
    • The J-1 student/scholar can request an J-2 dependent DS-2019 by logging into ISSS Link and completing the Add/Update Dependent form found under the J-1 Student Services or J-1 Scholar Services tab.
• Gaining J-2 Status
  • If the dependent is already in the US, they can apply for dependent status using Form I-539.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' Change of Status page.
  • If the dependent is outside the US:
    • No I-539 is required. Instead, the dependent should schedule an appointment with a US consulate to apply for an J-2 visa.
    • For visa application procedures and required documents, visit ISSS' Apply for a US Visa page.
    • For documentation to present at the port-of-entry, visit ISSS' Enter the US & Arrive to Campus page.

Employment

J-2 dependents can apply for employment authorization from US Citizenship and Immigration Services after they arrive in the US. However, any earnings must not be used to support the J-1 exchange visitor. Income should only be used for recreational purposes. For more information, visit USCIS' I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Study

All J-2 dependents can study in the US at any level (including the college level) on either a full-time or part-time basis as long as that's not the primary reason they are in the US. 

Health Insurance

J-2 dependents are legally required to maintain health insurance while they are in J-2 status. Visit ISSS' J-1/J-2 Health Insurance Requirements page for more information.

Two-Year Home Residency Requirement

If a J-1 student or scholar is subject to the two-year home residence requirement, their J-2 dependents are subject as well. For more information, visit the US Department of State's Exchange Visitor Visa page. 

Other Reporting Requirements: 

While a student/scholar's dependents are in J-2 status, the J-1 will need to:

• Report a dependent's contact information and update ISSS within 10 days of a change:
  • A J-1 student/scholar must report their dependent's US phone number, US local address and primary email address.
  • The J-1 student/scholar can report the dependent's contact information by logging into ISSS Link and submitting the Add/Update Dependent form found under the J-1 Student Services or J-1 Scholar Services tab.
• Report a J-2's early departure within 10 days:
  • If a J-2 dependent leaves the US before the end date on their DS-2019, the J-1 student/scholar must report their departure.
  • The J-1 student/scholar can report the dependent's departure by logging into ISSS Link and submitting the Dependent Departure/Removal form found under the J-1 Student Services or J-1 Scholar Services tab.

Documents

Unlike F-2 and J-2 dependents, an H-4 dependent does not need to obtain their own immigration document from ISSS. The H-1B approval notice and proof of relationship to the scholar (marriage or birth certificate) are usually sufficient documentation for the dependent to apply for an H-4 visa (if abroad) or apply for a change of status to H-4 (if in the US).

• Gaining H-4 Status
  • If the dependent is already in the US, they can apply for dependent status using Form I-539.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' Change of Status page.
  • If the dependent is outside the US:
    • No I-539 is required. Instead, the dependent should schedule an appointment with a US consulate to apply for an H-4 visa.
    • For visa application procedures and required documents, visit ISSS' Apply for a US Visa page.
    • For documentation to present at the port-of-entry, visit ISSS' Enter the US & Arrive to Campus page.

Employment

H-4 children aren't eligible for employment in the US, but some H-4 spouses can apply for work authorization if their H-1B spouse:

• has an approved I-140 immigrant worker petition; or
• has received a one-year extension of H-1B status beyond their sixth year based on a filed I-140 or labor certification.

Visit USCIS' Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses page for more information.

Study

All H-4 dependents can study in the US at any level (including the college level) on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Health Insurance

ISSS strongly encourages scholars to purchase health insurance for their H-4 dependents due to the high cost of health care in the US, but H-4s are not legally required to obtain health insurance.

Documents

• Unlike F-2 and J-2 dependents, an O-3 dependent does not need to obtain their own immigration document from ISSS.
• The O-1 approval notice and proof of relationship to the scholar (marriage or birth certificate) are usually sufficient documentation for the dependent to apply for an O-3 visa (if abroad) or apply for a change of status to O-3 (if in the US).
• Gaining O-3 Status
  • If the dependent is already in the US, they can apply for dependent status using Form I-539.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' Change of Status page.
  • If the dependent is outside the US:
    • No I-539 is required. Instead, the dependent should schedule an appointment with a US consulate to apply for an O-3 visa.
    • For visa application procedures and required documents, visit ISSS' Apply for a US Visa page.
    • For documentation to present at the port-of-entry, visit ISSS' Enter the US & Arrive to Campus page.

Employment

Dependents in O-3 status are not permitted to work in the United States.

Study

All O-3 dependents can study in the US at any level (including the college level) on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Health Insurance

ISSS strongly encourages scholars to purchase health insurance for their O-3 dependents due to the high cost of health care in the US, but O-3s are not legally required to obtain health insurance.

Note: To be eligible for TN status, the primary status holder must be a citizen of Canada or Mexico. A dependent does not need to be a Canadian or Mexican citizen to be eligible for TD status, but they will be required to apply for a TD visa (see Visa Exemptions below for more information). 

Documents

• Unlike F-2 and J-2 dependents, a TD dependent does not need to obtain their own immigration document from ISSS.
• The TN employment letter/approval notice and proof of relationship to the scholar (marriage or birth certificate) are usually sufficient documentation for the dependent to apply for a TD visa and/or enter in TD status (if abroad) or apply for a change of status to TD (if in the US).
• Visa Exemptions:
  • A Canadian dependent does not need to apply for a TD visa.
  • A dependent who is not a citizen of Canada is required to apply for a visa even if the TN is Canadian and the dependent is a permanent resident/landed immigrant of Canada.
• Gaining TD Status
  • If the dependent is already in the US, they can apply for dependent status using Form I-539.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' Change of Status page.
  • If the dependent is outside the US:
    • No I-539 is required. Instead, the dependent should schedule an appointment with a US consulate to apply for an TD visa unless exempt (see above).
    • For visa application procedures and required documents, visit ISSS' Apply for a US Visa page.
    • For documentation to present at the port-of-entry, visit ISSS' Enter the US & Arrive to Campus page.

Employment

Dependents in TD status are not permitted to work in the United States.

Study

All TD dependents can study in the US at any level (including the college level) on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Health Insurance

ISSS strongly encourages scholars to purchase health insurance for their TD dependents due to the high cost of health care in the US, but TDs are not legally required to obtain health insurance.

Note: To be eligible for E-3 status, the primary status holder must be a citizen of Australia. However, a E-3 dependent does not need to be Australian citizen.

Documents

Unlike F-2 and J-2 dependents, an E-3 dependent does not need to obtain their own immigration document from ISSS. The E-3 LCA/approval notice and proof of relationship to the scholar (marriage or birth certificate) are usually sufficient documentation for the dependent to apply for an E-3 dependent visa (if abroad) or apply for a change of status to E-3 dependent (if in the US).

• Gaining E-3 Dependent Status
  • If the dependent is already in the US, they can apply for dependent status using Form I-539.
    • For more information, visit ISSS' Change of Status page.
  • If the dependent is outside the US:
    • No I-539 is required. Instead, the dependent should schedule an appointment with a US consulate to apply for a E-3 dependent visa.
    • For visa application procedures and required documents, visit ISSS' Apply for a US Visa page.
    • For documentation to present at the port-of-entry, visit ISSS' Enter the US & Arrive to Campus page.

Employment

E-3 children aren't eligible for employment in the US. However, spouses of E-3 workers are eligible for full or part-time employment. Dependents spouses in valid E-3 or E-3S status are considered employment authorized incident to status, but they may apply for an Employment Authorization Document Card (EAD) if their I-94 is not properly endorsed. For more information, read the "Family of E-3 Nonimmigrant Workers" section on the on USCIS' E-3 Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia page. If an E-3 spouses plans to request an EAD, they will need to submit form I-765 to USCIS. For more information and to complete form I-765, visit USCIS' I-765, Application for Employment Authorization page.

Study

All E-3 dependents can study in the US at any level (including the college level) on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Health Insurance

ISSS strongly encourages scholars to purchase health insurance for their E-3 dependents due to the high cost of health care in the US, but E-3 dependents are not legally required to obtain health insurance.