» J-2 Dependents

Many J-1 visitors come to the United States with their families for their duration of their program at Chapman University. The spouse or partner and dependent children (under 21 years of age) of the J-1 visitor may be eligible for J-2 status and can use this status to accompany the J-1 visitor in the United States.

The eligible “spouse” or “partner” in this context is defined as: (1) legal marriage, evidenced by a marriage certificate issued by the place of celebration, (2) common law marriage, evidenced by an official verification or a legal brief verifying full material rights by the place of celebration.

On this page, you will find the dependent information that the J-1 visitor will need to submit during the application process to Chapman.

J-2 status requirements

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Each person in J-2 status must have their own DS-2019.
With the DS-2019 the J-2 dependent may apply for a J-2 visa at the U.S. Consulate.
J-2 dependents may accompany the J-1 visitor when they first arrive in the United States and should request a DS-2019 during their initial application process.
If the spouse and/or dependent child will join the scholar after the J-1’s arrival in the United States, the J-1 visitor will need to consult with the Responsible Office (RO) at Chapman University to assist with the request for a DS-2019 for the dependent(s).

The J-1 visitor must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the support of each of their J-2 dependents.

J-1 visitors will receive funding requirements during the DS-2019 application process. Each J-1 category will have a different funding requirement.

J-2 travel

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J-2 dependents follow the same travel procedures as J-1 visitors. Find a complete breakdown of the procedures on the Maintaining J-1 Visa page.

A J-1 visitor must maintain his or her status for the J-2 dependents to stay in the United States. If the J-1 is out of the country for a significant period, this might affect the J-2’s ability to remain in the United States.

Please contact the Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer for additional information regarding travel limitations or guidelines.

Employment

J-2 visa holders (the spouses, partners, and dependent children of J-1s) may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to work in the United States. This work authorization is called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

International Student Services provides general guidance. Any advice provided to you by the ISS should not be construed as legal advice.

Additionally, due to the fluid nature of governmental interpretation, government agencies such as USCIS/ICE/CBP may change their interpretation of immigration laws/regulations and eligibility requirements for benefits at any time. We will do our best to provide the most current guidance.

» J-2 Dependents

J-2 status requirements

Individual DS-2019 for each dependent

Funding requirements

J-2 travel

Traveling outside the U.S.

Remaining in the U.S. while a J-1 travels

Employment

Contact ISS