{"id":6878,"date":"2014-12-22T14:22:43","date_gmt":"2014-12-22T19:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/?page_id=6878"},"modified":"2017-07-06T14:55:09","modified_gmt":"2017-07-06T18:55:09","slug":"dependent-classifications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/immigration-status\/immigration-overview\/dependent-classifications\/","title":{"rendered":"Dependent Classifications"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each dependent classification has related benefits and restrictions. Information about specific classifications can be found below, and general resources for dependents are located on our\u00a0Family Matters<\/a>\u00a0page.<\/p>\n

F-2 Dependents<\/h2>\n

<\/a>Documentation<\/h3>\n

Each F-2 dependent\u00a0must have his\/her own Form I-20<\/a>,\u00a0issued by the ISSO. The F-2 I-20 can be issued at the time of the F-1 student\u2019s admission or can be issued after the F-1 student begins his\/her program of study.<\/p>\n

Study<\/h3>\n

F-2 spouses are prohibited from enrolling in full-time study in the US, but may enroll in part-time coursework. F-2 children may be enrolled full-time in an elementary or secondary school; however they are required to pay tuition (even if they are attending a public elementary or secondary school).<\/p>\n

Work<\/h3>\n

The F-2 status does not allow any option to obtain work authorization in the US. Therefore, F-2 dependents cannot accept employment in the US.<\/p>\n

Travel<\/h3>\n

F-2 dependents traveling separately from the F-1 principal must have a valid travel signature on their own I-20, and will need to be certain their visa and passport are valid for reentry.<\/p>\n

Duration of Status and Extensions<\/h3>\n

F-2 dependents are generally admitted to the US for \u201cD\/S\u201d (duration of status)\u2014this allows them to stay until the program end date reflected on the F-1 student\u2019s Form I-20, as long as the F-1 student maintains full-time registration, legal status, and a SEVIS record in good standing. At the end of the F-1 student\u2019s program of study, F-2 status permits a 60-day grace period to prepare for departure from the US.<\/p>\n

F-2 I-20s are generally extended along with the F-1 I-20.<\/p>\n

J-2 Dependents<\/h2>\n

Documentation<\/h3>\n

<\/a>Each J-2 dependent\u00a0must have his\/her own DS-2019<\/a>,\u00a0issued by the ISSO. The J-2 DS-2019 can be issued at the time the J-1 student or scholar is initially admitted or offered a research\/teaching appointment, or can be issued after the J-1 visitor begins his\/her program.<\/p>\n

Study<\/h3>\n

J-2 spouses and children are permitted to enroll in part-time or full-time study in the US. However, if they will receive any employment-based awards, such as a teaching fellowship or research assistantship, they would need to first apply for and obtain employment authorization from the USCIS.<\/p>\n

Work<\/h3>\n

J-2 dependents\u00a0may apply for US employment authorization<\/a>\u00a0after arrival in the US and may accept US employment after they receive authorization from USCIS. It can take approximately 90 days to approve an application for employment authorization.<\/p>\n

Travel<\/h3>\n

J-2 dependents traveling separately from the J-1 principal must have a valid travel signature on their own DS-2019, and will need to be certain their visa and passport are valid for reentry.<\/p>\n

Duration of Status and Extensions<\/h3>\n

J-2 dependents are generally admitted to the US for \u201cD\/S\u201d (duration of status)\u2014this allows them to stay until the program end date reflected on the J-1 exchange visitor\u2019s Form DS-2019, as long as the J-1 maintains full-time registration (students), legal status, and a SEVIS record in good standing. At the end of the J-1 exchange visitor\u2019s academic activity, J-2 status permits a 30-day grace period to prepare for departure from the US.<\/p>\n

J-2 DS-2019s are generally extended along with the J-1 DS-2019.<\/p>\n

H-4 Dependents<\/h2>\n

Documentation<\/h3>\n

No separate USCIS immigration document is required for dependents entering the US in H-4 status for the first time, though a separate I-797A Approval Notice may be issued if a dependent extends H-4 status or changes to H-4 status within the US.<\/p>\n

Study<\/h3>\n

Family members holding H-4 dependent status may be permitted to enroll in either full-time or part-time studies in the US. However, you would not be eligible to receive any employment-based awards, such as a teaching fellowship or research assistantship, as US employment authorization would be required to receive such awards.<\/p>\n

Work<\/h3>\n

The H-4 status does not allow for any option to obtain work authorization in the US.<\/p>\n

Travel<\/h3>\n

H-4 dependents traveling separately from the H-1B principal must travel with documents reflecting the principal\u2019s lawfully approved status (including complete H-1B petition, USCIS Approval Notice, and recent pay stubs). Travel while an extension is pending may not be advisable and travel-related questions should be addressed to your ISSO advisor.<\/p>\n

Duration of Status and Extensions<\/h3>\n

H-4 dependents are generally admitted to the US for a specific period of time, reflected on the most recent I-94 or US entry stamp. The length of time for which an H-4 dependent is admitted is often\u2014but not always\u2014the same as the H-1B principal. H-4 dependents must pay careful attention to the expiration date on their own documents and must submit a timely extension application along with any extension for the H-1B principal (or separately), as necessary.<\/p>\n

Other Dependent Categories<\/h2>\n

Documentation<\/h3>\n

Other common dependent categories include TD, O-3, L-2, and E-2 status. The regulations pertaining to each status are unique; questions must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

Study<\/h3>\n

Most dependent categories permit either part-time or full-time study, provided both the dependent and the principal visa holder remain in lawful status. There may be restrictions related to receiving any employment-based awards, such as a teaching fellowship or research assistantship, as US employment authorization would be required to receive such awards.<\/p>\n

Work<\/h3>\n

Some immigration categories allow US employment authorization while others do not. No employment authorization is available for TD and O-3 dependents.<\/p>\n

Travel<\/h3>\n

Required travel documentation depends on immigration category. Dependents traveling separately from the principal visa holder must usually apply for a US visa in the appropriate dependent category. When traveling, bring documents reflecting the principal\u2019s lawfully approved status. Travel while an extension is pending may not be advisable.<\/p>\n

Duration of Status and Extensions<\/h3>\n

The period for which a dependent is admitted to the US varies based on immigration category, but is generally for a specific period of time, reflected on the most recent I-94 or US entry stamp. The length of time for which a dependent is admitted is often\u2014but not always\u2014the same as the principal visa holder. Dependents must pay careful attention to the expiration date on their own documents and must submit a timely extension application along with any extension for the principal (or separately), as necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Each dependent classification has related benefits and restrictions. Information about specific classifications can be found below, and general resources for dependents are located on our\u00a0Family Matters\u00a0page. F-2 Dependents Documentation Each F-2 dependent\u00a0must have his\/her own Form I-20,\u00a0issued by the ISSO. The F-2 I-20 can be issued at the time of the F-1 student\u2019s admission or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4502,"featured_media":0,"parent":197,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6878"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4502"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6878"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9937,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6878\/revisions\/9937"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}