Primary immigration status holders may bring a spouse and/or children to the U.S. in dependent status. Applicants for dependent status must demonstrate a lawful spousal or parent-child relationship to the primary immigration status holder. Spouse and children status is dependent on the primary visa holder’s status.
You may bring only one spouse, who is in a recognized legal marriage with you. Same sex spouses are permitted. You can bring any and all unmarried children under the age of 21. Once a child turns 21, they are no longer eligible for dependent status. If they wish to remain in the U.S., they must apply for an independent immigration status prior to their 21st birthday.
It is important to note the following:
- Duration of status is limited by the duration of the primary status holder.
- If a dependent wants to study or work (as permitted) beyond the primary status holder’s program dates, they should consider changing to a different visa status.
- If the primary visa holder is not maintaining their immigration status, the dependent’s status is no longer valid. Both the primary status holder and the dependent will be accruing unlawful presence if a status violation occurs.
Different immigration statuses have different rules for dependents. The following are specific rules for each type of immigration status.
Dependents of F-1 students come in F-2 immigration status using an individual I-20 attached to the F-1 primary visa holder’s SEVIS record. If you are a current WashU student wanting to bring dependents in the future, submit the Add F-2 Dependent request in your MyOISS account.
| Acquiring Status | To obtain an I‑20 to bring dependents to the U.S., the F-1 visa holder must provide documentation of sufficient financial resources to cover the expenses of the dependents, in addition to the student’s own expenses. It is critical that all F-2 dependents be covered by health insurance. Health insurance can be purchased in advance. Learn more about health care and insurance. Current F-1 students must apply for an F-2 I-20 by submitting an Add F-2 Dependent request via MyOISS. Prospective F-1 students who have not yet obtained their own I-20 from OISS should request the dependent I-20 by communicating with their admitting department. |
| Employment | No employment allowed |
| Study | F-2s may enroll in courses on a part-time basis and even pursue a degree program. An F-2 who is considering studying full-time at Washington University, or at another college or university, will need to obtain the F-1 immigration status prior to enrolling full-time. If an F-2 dependent is interested in studying full-time at WashU, they should contact OISS to discuss their options. An F-2 spouse cannot enroll full-time while on the F-2 visa. F-2 children can study full-time at the elementary, middle school and high school level, but are not allowed to study full-time at the college level while in F-2 status. |
Dependents of J-1 Exchange Visitors come in J-2 immigration status using an individual DS-2019 attached to the J-1 primary visa holder’s SEVIS record.
If you are a current WashU student wanting to bring dependents in the future, submit the Add J-2 Dependent request in your MyOISS account.
If you are a current WashU scholar wanting to bring dependents in the future, contact OISS at J1Scholar@wustl.edu.
All regulations which apply to the J-1 exchange visitor also apply to the J-2 dependent. This includes the 12- and 24-month bars and 212 (e) home residency requirement.
| Acquiring Status: Dependents of J-1 Students | To obtain a DS-2019 to bring dependents to the U.S., J-1 visa holder in the Student category must provide documentation of sufficient financial resources to cover the expenses of the dependents, in addition to the J-1’s own expenses. Federal regulations require that J‑1 exchange visitors and dependents have health insurance which meets certain specifications. Students who are included in the WashU health plan have the necessary coverage. An exchange visitor or dependent, who willfully fails to maintain insurance coverage may be terminated from the J‑1 program and will no longer be in legal J‑1 status, thus accruing unlawful presence. Learn more about health care and insurance. Current J-1 students must apply for a J-2 DS-2019 by submitting an Add J-2 Dependent request via MyOISS. Prospective J-1 students who have not yet obtained their own DS-2019 from OISS should request the dependent DS-2019 by communicating with their admitting department. |
| Acquiring Status: Dependents of J-1 Scholars | To obtain a DS-2019 to bring dependents to the U.S., J-1 visa holders in Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar or Student Intern categories must have sufficient financial resources to cover the expenses of the dependents, in addition to the J-1’s own expenses. Federal regulations require that J‑1 exchange visitors and dependents have health insurance which meets certain specifications. Students who are included in the WashU health plan have the necessary coverage. An exchange visitor or dependent, who willfully fails to maintain insurance coverage may be terminated from the J‑1 program and will no longer be in legal J‑1 status, thus accruing unlawful presence. Review J-1 Exchange Visitor Status page for more details. To apply for a J-2 DS-2019, prospective and current EVs should discuss requirements with their sponsoring department. |
| Employment | J-2s can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and may begin employment only after receiving the EAD from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The J-2 may only work during the dates on the EAD, and is responsible for applying for a renewal (if needed). To apply for an EAD, the J-2 needs to file an I-765 application with USCIS. The I-765 form and instructions can be found on the USCIS website. Employment authorization will only be granted if the J-2 can prove that the additional income will not be used to support the J-1 principal. |
| Study | Part-time or full-time study allowed at any level |
H-1B dependents come in H-4 status using a I-797 Approval Notice. If you are a current WashU employee wanting to bring dependents in the future, contact OISS.
| Acquiring Status | To enter the U.S. in H-4 immigration status, dependents of an H-1B employee will first need to obtain H-4 visas from a U.S. consulate (unless Canadian). Once dependents have secured visas, they can accompany the H-1B employee to the U.S. or they can enter the U.S. subsequently on their own. When granted entry into the U.S., they will receive I-94s that should have the same end date as your I-94 and I-797 approval notice. If that is not the case, your dependents should immediately bring that to the attention of the official who gave them the I-94s or, if too late, to an OISS adviser. If dependents of an H-1B employee change to or extend their H-4 status within the U.S., they will receive I-797 approval notices with new I-94s attached, indicating H-4 status. The dependents’ status is valid until the end date on their I-94s, provided that the principal H-1B beneficiary remains in good standing while in H-1B status. |
| Employment | No employment allowed incident to status Certain H-4s who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent residence (LPR) status are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and may begin employment only after receiving the EAD from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants are eligible to apply for an EAD under this rule only if their H-1B spouse is the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. The H-4 may only work during the dates on the EAD, and is responsible for applying for a renewal (if needed). To apply for the EAD, the H-4 needs to file an I-765 application with USCIS. The eligibility information and application instructions can be found on the USCIS website. |
| Study | Part-time or full-time study allowed at any level |
TN dependents come in TD (Trade Dependent) status. If you are a current WashU employee wanting to bring dependents in the future, contact OISS.
| Acquiring Status: Canadian dependents | If a TD is a Canadian citizen, they do not need to obtain a TD visa stamp at a U.S. consulate. TD applicants must demonstrate a bona fide spousal or parent-child relationship to the TN professional. |
| Acquiring Status: Mexican dependents | If a TD is a Mexican citizen, they will need to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. Dependents of Mexican TNs should apply for their visas at the same time as the TN. If applying at a later date, the dependent must provide copies of the TN scholar’s I-94, employment letter and proof of relationship to the TN scholar. |
| Employment | No employment allowed |
| Study | Part-time or full-time study allowed at any level |
Programs and Services for Dependents
International Woman’s Group is a service group within the Woman’s Club of Washington University in St. Louis. The group is primarily comprised of international women, who are spouses or mates of students at the university, as well as some American women from the Woman’s Club who enjoy meeting internationals.
By participating in this group, international women can learn about American culture, customs, holidays, famous places and people; meet women from other countries from the Washington University community; and tour attractions in St. Louis.
For more information, please contact Gloria Lubowitz at gh.lubowitz@me.com. Additional information is also available on the Woman’s Club website.
STL International Spouses / Expat Women Group is a group for foreign-born women who have moved to the St. Louis area with a spouse or partner and for relocated expat women. This group is sponsored by the St. Louis Mosaic Project. Learn more about the group by visiting their website.
Washington University Medical Center Housestaff Auxiliary (WUMCHA) is a group of residents, fellows, medical students and attending physicians who are specifically affiliated with the Medical Center and their partners and families. Visit their website to learn more.