Dependents (J-2)
Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019)
Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) are eligible for J-2 status. A DS-2019 is issued for dependents who will initially accompany the J-1 Exchange Visitor. Each family member will have his or her own SEVIS ID number as noted above the bar code on his or her DS-2019.
J-1 Exchange Visitors who have initially come alone but later want their dependents to join them will need to complete the J-2 Dependent DS-2019 Request Form and submit it to their J-1 Advisor.
Change of Status
Dependents in J-2 status are eligible to change status to another non-immigrant visa as long as they are not subject to the Two-Year Home Country Residency Requirement. The form required for the change of status is the I-539 which can be found at www.uscis.gov in the "Forms" section.
Employment Instructions J-2
J-2 dependents can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS in order to be employed in the United States. The J-2 may begin employment only after receiving the EAD from USCIS. The I-765 application form can be found at www.uscis.gov in the "Forms" area. Further instructions are available under J-2 Employment Instructions.
Study in J-2 Status
There are no restrictions on study for J-2 dependents; however, they can maintain their status only as long as their spouse is in J-1 status.
Dependents may be interested to know that the Office of International Affairs has a partial tuition scholarship for semi-intensive evening classes at the UK Center for English as a Second Language available to spouses in J-2 or F-2 status. Click here for an application form.
Travel Abroad & Re-Entry
If J-2 dependents wish to travel outside the US for a temporary visit, they must be sure that their J-1 advisor documents are endorsed for travel by their RO/ARO. Each endorsement is valid for one year.
Departure or Termination of Program
A J-2 dependent's status terminates in the US when that of the J-1 terminates. Each J-2 reports his or her departure from the US by surrendering Form I-94 at the time of departure.