Dependents

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Definition

To qualify for dependent status, a spouse or unmarried, minor (under age 21) child must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer and the immigration officer at the port of entry that:

• He or she is the spouse (marriage license) or child (birth certificate) of the F-1 or J-1 visa holder
• He or she has sufficient funds to cover his/her expenses, or that other arrangements have been made to provide for expenses once in the U.S.
• He or she intends to leave the U.S. upon the termination of the status of the F-1 or J-1 visa holder

If you have dependent(s) that would like to enter the U.S. on an F-2 or J-2 visa, you must complete and submit the following materials to ISSS:

1. Dependent Application
2. Marriage Certificate (if dependent is spouse)
3. Passport ID page(s) for each dependent
4. Proof of Financial Support

Education

F-2 Dependent spouses cannot study full-time in the U.S. without changing their status to F-1.   Spouses in F-2 status can study part-time as long as the study is "avocational or recrecreational."

F-2 Dependent children can enroll in full-time study only at the K-12 level.

J-2 Dependents can study full-time in the U.S. as degree seeking students.

Employment

F-2 Dependents may not accept any type of employment.

J-2 Dependents can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with the assistance of ISSS.  The J-2 dependent can begin working only after receiving the EAD.  For more information on applying for J-2 employment please review the Fact Sheet below and contact your International Student Adviser in ISSS.

• J-2 Employment Fact Sheet
• J-1 Student and J-2 Employment PowerPoint

Events

English Conversation Sessions:

Vanderbilt Amnesty International English Conversation Sessions

TBA

Fall Schedule:

TBA

This social event provides participants the opportunity to practive conversational English in a relaxed, fun and friendly environment.  All students, scholars and their dependents (including children) are invited to attend.

Please RSVP via e-mail (haleh.kadivar@vanderbilt.edu) and indicate how many people from your household will be attending and their ages. If you are unable to RSVP, and would still like to come, please do!