Dependent Visas

An international student or scholar may be accompanied to the US by his or her dependent(s) at any time.

  • Dependents are defined as spouses and/or unmarried minor children. 
  • Children over the age of 21 are not eligible to enter as the dependent of an international student or scholar.

If you wish to bring a dependent to the US, you will need to notify our office using the Add a New Dependent eForm on iBearcatsGlobal.

Learn more about:

Apply for a Visa

Dependents may apply for their visas at the same time as the student/scholar, or they may apply at a later date.

If they are granted the visa, they may enter the United States when the international student/scholar does, or at a later date. They will follow the same visa application guidelines as the student/scholar.

It is important to determine whether you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents. The University of Cincinnati requires extra proof of funds for a spouse and for each child in order to prepare the dependent I-20 or DS-2019(s). The amount varies by the type of visa you hold.

F-2 Dependents

F-2 dependents may receive their visas and admission to the United States along with you on the basis of the Form I-20 issued in their names.

An F-2 may remain as long as the F-1 maintains status. If the F-1 student falls out of status, then the F-2 falls out of status as well, because his/her visa status is a derivative of the F-1. F-2 dependents are required to keep their passports valid at least 6 months into the future. F-2 dependents must extend their stay when the F-1 primary extends their stay.

  • F-2 children may engage in full-time study at the elementary and secondary school level only (K-12th grade).
  • F-2 spouses (any age) and children (up to the age of 21) may study part-time at UC to pursue a degree. If a dependent wants to study full-time in degree-seeking status, they must apply for and receive a change of status to F-1, J-1, or M-1.
  • F-2 visa holders may not accept employment or engage in business under any circumstances.

J-2 Dependents

If your dependents are to accompany you or join you in the United States, they may obtain their visas and admission to the United States along with you on the basis of the Form DS-2019 issued in their names.

Interns accompanied by dependents must provide evidence of additional funds sufficient for their support.

  • For the spouse, an additional $500 per month is required.
  • For each child, an additional $250 per month is required.

J-2 dependents may apply for permission to work. However, the income received cannot be used to support the J-1 principal.

In order to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for J-2 work permission, fill out the Work Permits for H-4 and J-2 Dependents eForm in iBearcatsGlobal and make an appointment with our office.

Bring the following to the appointment:

  • A letter stating why the employment is desired and that it is not necessary for the support of the J-1 principal;
  • Copy of J-1's passport, J-1 visa and I-94; 
  • Copy of J-2's passport, J-2 visa and I-94 card;
  • Copy of all DS-2019s (front and back) issued to the J-1 and J-2;
  • Completed I-765 Form;
  • Check for I-765 filing fee made out to “The Department of Homeland Security” or a completed Form G-1450 - Authorization for Credit Card Transactions;
  • Two passport-style photos of J-2 dependent. 
  • All EADs ever received (if this is a renewal of previously authorized work). 

Financial need is not a criterion for employment authorization of a J-2 dependent. However, USCIS sometimes requires a budget or statement of estimated expenses to determine that you have adequate income.

If permission for employment is granted, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued and is valid for any kind of full-time or part-time employment authorization. This process could take up to 90 days.

The EAD will be issued for one year or for the amount of time remaining on the J-1 visa holder’s DS-2019 (if less than one year). If you will stay longer, the extension of stay notification must be filed prior to the extension of employment authorization. Then, refile the Form I-765 in a timely manner to preserve the J-2's right to work.

H-4 Dependents

If your family members are abroad and you want them to enter the U.S. with you or join you in the U.S., any dependents (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) will need to bring the following documents to their local U.S. Consulate / Embassy:

  • A copy of the original I-797 H-1B approval notice. 
  • Proof of relationship to the H-1B specialty worker (marriage license for spouses; birth certificate for children).
  • A valid passport (unless passport exempt).

If your family members are already in the US on another type of visa and you wish to change their status to H-4:

  • The dependent will need to fill out an I-539 application.
  • The H-1B applicant will pay an additional I-539 filing fee, as well as biometrics fees.
  • Dependent fees can be paid by the prospective employee or the hiring department. 
  • An I-539 application and additional fees are not necessary in consular processing cases.

H-4 FAQ

When can my H-4 dependents file the I-539? right arrow down arrow

Their H-4 application(s) may be filed after the H-1B petition is received by USCIS and prior to their current status expiring (if applicable). Please see the case review email from UC International that provided you with the link to this resource for further information.

Where can I find Form I-539? right arrow down arrow

You can find a fillable PDF of Form I-539 on the USCIS website. This is also where you can find the link to apply online. 

Where can I find instructions on how to complete Form I-539? right arrow down arrow

Please review the USCIS instructions for completing Form I-539.

Should my dependents file their I-539s electronically or by mail? right arrow down arrow

If you have only one dependent, online filing is less expensive than filing by mail and will result in immediate notification of their application being received by USCIS. Review eligibility for online filing on the USCIS website. 

  • If your spouse wishes to file an application for H-4 work authorization (Form I-765) at the same time as their Form I-539, they may want to file both applications on paper by mail.  There may be faster processing when filing them together on paper; check processing timelines. The Form I-765 is not currently available online for H-4 applicants, so it will have to be filed on paper. 

If you have multiple dependents who need to file, submitting one combined application by mail is less expensive, as you will be able to include all H-4 dependents on a single application with one filing fee. 

  • See the USCIS instructions regarding the use of Form I-539A, which is required for each H-4 co-applicant (that is, for every dependent except the oldest person who is applying).  

Where do I find the mailing address for form I-539? right arrow down arrow

Review the USCIS website for I-539 filing addresses carefully for the specific situation with your dependent(s). If you file at an incorrect location, the application will be rejected by USCIS.

What is the I-539 fee? right arrow down arrow

Check the USCIS fee schedule for Form I-539 and note the cost difference between paper filing and online filing.

The fee is payable using either a U.S. credit card or bank account.

What documents need to be included with the I-539? right arrow down arrow

Refer to the USCIS instructions for completing Form I-539. You may choose to include additional documents based on your family situation or preferences.

If you are currently working in the United States, include copies of documents evidencing your work authorization.

Is my spouse eligible to apply for work authorization? right arrow down arrow

H-4 spouses (not children) are eligible for work authorization only if the H-1B worker:

  • Has an approved Form I-140, or
  • Has been granted an H-1B extension under AC21 sections 106(a) and (b)

See the USCIS website for more information. Contact UC International if you are uncertain. 

How does my spouse apply for work authorization? What documents need to be included? right arrow down arrow

Qualifying H-4 applicants file Form I-765 under category (c)(26).

Review the USCIS website for Form I-765 and its instructions carefully. The instructions detail what documentation must be included to apply.

Currently, I-765s for H-4 applicants can only be filed by mail. Check USCIS for updates on who can file form I-765 online. 

What is the I-765 fee? right arrow down arrow

Review the USCIS fee schedule for Form I-765.

The fee is payable using either a U.S. credit card (using Form G-1450) or U.S. bank account (using Form G-1650).

Are my dependent(s) eligible to study on H-4 status? right arrow down arrow

H-4 visa holders are allowed to study on their status. Dependent children can study on these statuses until age 21. If your dependent wishes to study at UC on their current immigration status, contact us.

How can I receive additional assistance? right arrow down arrow

H-4 dependent applications are personal applications, not UC applications. Applicants are fully responsible for the content of the applications they submit to USCIS. UC International offers to review the dependent form(s) and documents on a one-time basis (meaning that UC International will only review each form one time), as a service to you, a UC employee. UC International is not responsible for errors or oversights that may inadvertently occur. 

If you need assistance with these filings beyond the scope of what UC International is able to provide, please contact a qualified immigration attorney.

Legal Resources

UC International recognizes that some H-1B workers and their families may have specific questions about their status or applications that are beyond our scope.

You are free to engage your own legal counsel to provide you with personal legal advice at your own expense. UC International and the Office of General Counsel do not endorse or recommend any particular attorney or law firm. We encourage you to properly research legal counsel options.

The following are resources to help locate legal counsel for personal matters:

Visiting Family Members

Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years old) are eligible to enter the United States in a dependent status. Frequently, international students and scholars wish to invite their parents or other family members to the U.S. to attend graduation or for a visit.

If parents or other members of an international student or scholar's family, including children over the age of 21, wish to enter the U.S. temporarily to visit, they may enter on a B-2 tourist visa.