Dependents
A “dependent” is defined as the spouse and/or unmarried child (under the age of 21) of the primary F-1, J-1, or H-1B visa holder.
Children born in the United States, or spouses or children who are permanent U.S. residents or citizens, are not considered “dependents” for immigration purposes.
An international student or scholar/staff can bring their dependents with them on their initial entry to the U.S. or they can add them to their visa category at a later date so that the dependents can travel to the U.S. to join them.
Go to Overview of Visa Categories for some general information on the most common student and scholar visa categories.
Invite a Dependent
F-1/J-1 Students
To invite an F-2 or J-2 dependent follow the steps below:
- Log into the ISSO Portal and submit a "Dependent Addition Request." You will need to upload the following documents with your request:
- Copy of dependent's passport ID page
- Proof of financial support in the amount of $800 per month per dependent. F-1 students must provide proof of funding for one year, and J-1 students must provide proof of funding for the duration of their program.
- Upon receiving the new Form I-20/DS-2019, the dependent must schedule a visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy within 90 days of the Form issue date, to apply for an F-2/J-2 visa.
- Valid passport
- Marriage license (for spouses) or birth certificate (for children)
- Form I-20/DS-2019
- Proof of financial support
Staff and Faculty (J-1 Scholars)
To invite a J-2 dependent follow the steps below:
- Complete and submit the J-2 Dependent Addition Form. You will need to upload the following documents:
- Copy of the dependent's passport ID page
- Proof of financial support in the amount of $900 per month per dependent for the duration of the J-1 program.
- Upon receiving the new Form DS-2019, the dependent must schedule a visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy within 90 days of the form issue date, to apply for a J-2 visa.
- Valid passport
- Marriage license (for spouses) or birth certificate (for children)
- Form DS-2019
- Proof of financial support
U.S. Consular or Port-of-Entry officials may request additional documentation not mentioned above. Visit the website for the Embassy/Consulate that your dependent will visit for his/her appointment to obtain specific requirements for citizens of your country.
Staff and Faculty (H-1B)
Dependents of H-1B visa holder who are currently in a another non-immigrant status can change to H-4 status in to ways:
- Apply for a change of status in the U.S.
- Apply for H-4 visa at a U.S. consulate in their home country (Consular Processing)
Change of Status within the U.S.
If you are in the U.S. and have a dependent (spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21) who will need to change to H-4 status, follow the instructions for the Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
You may need to include the following documents:
- Form I-539
- Have your dependent sign the Form I-539 in ink.
- If there is more than one dependent, a separate Form I-539a will need to be completed for each dependent.
- A check for the filing fee, made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (one check per dependent).
- The filing fee amount can be found on the I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status website.
- Copy of marriage and/or birth/ adoption certificates
- Copy of passport
- Copy of visa
- Copy of the most recent Form I-94
- If your dependent is currently in F-2 status, include copies of all Form I-20s.
- If your dependent is currently in J-2 status, include copies of all Form DS-2019s and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) (if applicable).
- If your dependent is in other status, include other relevant documents
- Any Form I-797 Approval Notices that are relevant to your dependent’s current immigration status (if applicable)
- Copy of scholar/employee’s appointment letter
- Copy of paystubs belonging to employee/scholar for the past 3 months.
Please Note: As a courtesy, ISSO Scholar Advisors can include a dependent change or extension of status application with the H-1B petition. However, these applications are personal petitions and not reviewed by ISSO staff. If you require assistance, we can provide you with a list of immigration attorneys in the area.
Please contact the ISSO Scholar Advisor who is working on your H-1B petition to determine how to deliver these documents to the ISSO. You can reach us at scholars@brandeis.edu.
Consular Processing from Outside the U.S.
If a dependent of an H-1B visa holder is outside of the U.S. they may be eligible to apply for an H-4 visa. The dependent must apply at a U.S. Embassy in their home country. To apply, they may need the following documents:
- Form DS-160
- Form I-797 Approval notice of the H-1B employee
- Evidence of family relationship such as marriage or birth certificate
- Offer letter issued to the H-1B employee