F2 Dependents
F-1 students may invite their spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 to join them in the United States under F-2 dependent status. This page provides an overview of the eligibility criteria, status limitations, and instructions for requesting an I-20 for your dependents.
Who Qualifies as an F-2 Dependent?
You may request F-2 status for:
- Your legal spouse
- Your unmarried child(ren) under the age of 21
Parents, siblings, extended family, and fiancés do not qualify for F-2 status. They must enter the U.S. under another visa category (e.g., B-2 visitor visa).
Status Limitations for F-2 Dependents
F-2 dependents are subject to strict limitations set by U.S. immigration law:
Employment:
- F-2 dependents may not work in the United States under any circumstances.
- Working without authorization is a violation of immigration status.
Study:
- F-2 spouses may enroll in part-time, non-degree or recreational courses only. They may not enroll in a full-time academic program.
- F-2 children may enroll in elementary or secondary school (K-12). If they plan to attend college or university full-time, they must apply for F-1 status separately.
Funding Requirements
Processing Time
How to Request an I-20 for an F-2 Dependent
Applying for a Change of Status to F-2
If your spouse or child is currently in the U.S. under another nonimmigrant status and wishes to change to F-2 without leaving the country, they must submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Important: The change of status process can take several months. Dependents must maintain their current legal status while the application is pending.
Not Eligible to Change Status to F-2
Not all non-immigrant visa holders are eligible to change to F-2 status. Before proceeding, please review the following information about statuses that do and do not allow change of status in the U.S. You are not eligible for a change of status if:
- You are currently in the U.S. under the ‘visa waiver’ program: If you entered the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows certain nationals to visit the U.S. for tourism or business purposes without a visa, you are typically not eligible to change your status. The VWP does not permit a change of status while in the United States.
- You are currently in the U.S. as a J-1 exchange visitor (or J-2 dependent) subject to Section 212e of the INA, i.e., the ‘two-year home residency requirement’: If you are a J-1 exchange visitor subject to the 212(e) two-year home residency requirement, you cannot change your status to F-2 unless you have obtained a waiver of the requirement or fulfilled it by returning to your home country for the required two years.
- You are currently in the U.S. in M-1 status: (vocational student) visa, you are generally not eligible to change your status to F-2. These visa categories have specific restrictions that prevent a change
- You are currently in the U.S. but in violation of your current immigration status: If you are not lawfully present in the U.S., a change of status is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Contact Us
If you have questions about F-2 dependents or the application process, please contact:
Center for Global Learning (CGL)
Address: 2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Lee House
Jersey City, NJ 07306
phones: 201-761-7190 Email: [email protected]
Appointment Links: https://bit.ly/CGLappt OR https://bit.ly/CGLappt2
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
*The CGL is closed on weekends and most national holidays.*