J-2 Dependent Spouse & Children
You may bring your spouse and unmarried children under age 21 to the United States in J-2 dependent status.
Your dependents may remain in the U.S. only while you maintain valid J-1 status. If your status ends, your dependents must also leave the United States.
After your program ends, you and your dependents have a 30-day grace period to prepare to depart the U.S. If you leave the United States, your dependents must leave as well.
Your dependent may remain in the U.S. during your temporary absence only if you continue to maintain J-1 status and plan to return using the same SEVIS record.
Family members who do not qualify for F-2 status must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.
Add a J-2 Dependent
You may request a Form DS-2019 for your spouse and/or children either when your original
I-20 is issued or later during your program. Each dependent must have their own Form
DS-2019 to apply for J-2 status.
Initial J-1 Students
If you are applying for your initial DS-2019 and plan to bring dependents:
- Include your dependents’ information in your SBU Issued Form I-20/DS-2019 Request
- Provide proof of additional funding:
- $9,000 per year for your spouse
- $5,000 per year for each child
Continuing J-1 Students
Follow these steps to request a DS-2019 for your dependent:
You must provide:
- Proof of full-time enrollment (or approved Reduced Course Load)
- A copy of each dependent’s passport biographic page
- Financial documents showing you can support yourself and your dependents
You must show additional funding of:
- $9,000 per year for your spouse
- $5,000 per year for each child
Review the estimated expenses for J-1 students for more information.
If you are on AT and not enrolled, you only need to show funding for estimated living expenses for yourself and your dependents (not tuition).
Log in to accessVIS and complete:
- Adding an J-2 Dependent eForm
- Proof of Financial Eligibility eForm
Upload all required documents.
Your dependent must use their Form DS-2019 to obtain J-2 status.
If your dependent is outside the United States, they must:
- Apply for an J-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate
- Enter the U.S. using that visa
If your dependent is already in the United States, they can:
- Travel abroad, apply for an J-2 visa, and reenter the U.S., or
- Apply for a Change of Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
After your dependent arrives in the U.S., you must complete their check-in in accessVIS.
Submit copies of:
- Form DS-2019
- Passport
- J-2 visa (if applicable)
- I-94 record or approval notice
Submit these documents through Form 5: J-2 Dependent Check-In in accessVIS.
You must submit a separate eform for each dependent.
Travel as an J-2 Dependent
Your dependent does not need to travel with you, but they must carry the required documents each time they reenter the United States.
Required Documents for Reentry
Your dependent must have:
- A valid passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
- A valid J-2 visa (except for Canadian and Bermudian citizens)
- A valid Form DS-2019 with a travel signature
Travel signature validity:
- Travel signatures are valid for 12 months while you are actively participating in your J-1 program
- The DS-2019 program end date must be in the future at the time of reentry
Request a Travel Signature
To request a travel signature for your dependent’s DS-2019, submit the Travel Signature Request eForm in accessVIS.
Additional Documents to Carry
Your dependent should also carry copies of your:
- Form DS-2019
- Passport
- J-1 visa
- I-94 record
- Enrollment verification or class schedule
- Financial documents
If you are on AT, include:
- Employment Authorization Letter
- Proof of employment or job offer
Study and Employment
Your J-2 dependents may:
- Enroll in elementary or secondary school
- Pursue full-time or part-time post-secondary study
Children must attend school according to local education laws (K–12).
For information about enrolling a child in a public school, contact your local school district.
J-2 visa holders (the spouses, partners, and dependent children of J-1s) may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to work in the United States (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization). This work authorization is called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
This type of application is routinely approved as the regulation states that “income from the spouse's or dependent's employment may be used to support the family's customary recreational and cultural activities and related travel, among other things.” However, the employment will not be authorized if this income is needed to support the person who holds J-1 status