International Students and Scholars Office

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

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 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

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