Lana Oconnell
International students in the US on F-1 visas may be able to bring their spouses and may even be able to work themselves, but their spouses cannot work under any circumstances. To bring a spouse to the US, an international student must first obtain an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for their spouse. The university must issue an I-20 form, which requires evidence of funding of $7,000 per year for a spouse and $6,000 per year per child, as well as documents such as a copy of the passport and financial statements showing how the student will support their dependents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa category for spouses of international students | F-2 visa |
| Work permission for F-2 visa holders | Not permitted to work |
| Visa category for spouses of exchange visitors | J-2 visa |
| Work permission for J-2 visa holders | Eligible to apply for a work permit |
| Visa category for students | F-1 visa |
| Work permission for F-1 visa holders | Allowed to work off-campus after the first year if related to their area of study |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa holders can work off-campus after their first year
International students in the US on an F-1 visa can work off-campus after completing their first academic year. However, there are specific rules and criteria that must be followed.
Firstly, off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study. This means that the work must be connected to the student's academic program or curriculum. Prior authorization is also required from the Designated School Official (DSO), who is responsible for maintaining the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), as well as from the USCIS.
There are three main types of off-campus employment options for F-1 students:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): F-1 students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but they must receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have completed one academic year before starting work. OPT provides flexibility as employment can be anywhere in the US, and a job offer is not required to apply.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is available when off-campus practical training is an integral part of the student's curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT employment can be paid, and prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS are necessary.
- Severe Economic Hardship: F-1 students facing severe economic hardship, as defined by USCIS, may work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school session and full-time during breaks. To qualify, students must demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient and provide evidence of economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.
It is important to note that F-1 students can work on-campus without needing USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities may be limited, and students must adhere to certain guidelines, such as working no more than 20 hours per week during the school session and ensuring their work does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
While F-1 students have the option to work off-campus after their first year, their spouses or dependents on an F-2 visa are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a Social Security number.
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Spouses of F-1 visa holders need an F-2 visa
International students who want to bring their spouse to the US can apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for their spouse. The F-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old of F-1 visa holders to enter and live in the US. The spouse of an F-1 visa holder must apply for an F-2 visa to enter and remain in the US for the duration of the F-1 visa holder's academic program.
To obtain an F-2 visa, the spouse of an F-1 visa holder must provide the following documents:
- Current and previous passports
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Proof of financial stability
- US Visa photograph
- Interview confirmation letter
- Receipts for paid fees
- Original I-20 form and a copy
- Copy of the F-1 visa holder's I-20 form
- Copy of the F-1 visa (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate
It is recommended that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas simultaneously. However, if the spouse must apply separately, they should bring a copy of the F-1 student's passport and visa along with the other required documents. The F-2 visa is directly related to the conditions of the F-1 visa holder, and F-2 visa holders are not authorized to work in the US.
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F-2 visa holders cannot work under any circumstances
International students in the US with an F-1 visa may be able to work in specific circumstances, but their spouses or dependents cannot work under any circumstances if they hold an F-2 visa.
F-1 visa holders can work in certain situations, but there are strict rules and regulations. After the first year of study, F-1 visa holders may work full-time off-campus as long as the work is in their general field of study and has been authorized by the Designated School Official of the school's international student office. They must also file Form I-765 to request employment authorizations and get an employee authorization document. However, these opportunities are limited and do not apply to their spouses or dependents.
F-2 visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals accompanying an F-1 visa holder. The F-1 visa holder must be the spouse, parent, or child of the F-2 visa holder. The F-2 visa holder must provide evidence of funding to support their spouse or child, with a minimum of $7000 per year for a spouse and $6000 per year per child. They must also show that they will return home when the F-1 visa holder's education is complete.
While F-1 visa holders may be able to find on-campus jobs or take on some work, F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work and will not be provided with a social security number. This means that F-2 visa holders are entirely financially dependent on the F-1 visa holder and cannot legally seek employment in the US.
It is important to note that there are other visa categories, such as the J-2 dependent (spouse) visa, which allows visa holders to apply for a work permit after entering the US. However, this is not the case for F-2 visas, and there is currently no way for F-2 visa holders to gain work authorization.
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J-2 visa holders are eligible to apply for a work permit
International students in the US on an F-1 visa may be able to find on-campus jobs or take on some work, but their dependents are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number. However, J-2 visa holders, who are spouses or dependents of J-1 visa holders, are eligible to apply for a work permit.
J-2 visa holders are authorised to work in the US as long as they obtain an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) card from the US Department of Homeland Security. The EAD card is currently taking 90 to 120 days to process, and applicants must be inside the USA when applying. To apply for an EAD card, J-2 visa holders must file a paper application by mail to the USCIS. The application requires a financial statement, proof of marriage, and photocopies of the J-1 visa holder's information.
J-2 visa holders are dependent on the status of the principal J-1 visa holder and can only remain in the US as long as the J-1 visa holder has valid status. Money earned by a J-2 visa holder cannot be used to support the J-1 visa holder. Additionally, J-2 visa holders must be in the US in J-2 status to submit an employment authorisation application, and they cannot apply for an extension of their employment authorisation until the J-1 visa holder has their status extended.
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The I-20 form requires evidence of funding of $7000 per year for a spouse
International students who want to bring their spouse to the US can apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for their spouse. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding of $7000 per year for a spouse to issue an I-20 form. This is the minimum required amount, and the actual costs may be higher depending on various factors such as living needs and arrangements. The I-20 form is necessary to apply for a US student visa.
The I-20 form requires evidence of financial support, including family bank statements, documentation from a sponsor, financial aid letters, and scholarship letters. This ensures that the international student can financially support their spouse during their stay in the US. The spouse of an international student is not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number.
It is important to note that while health insurance is not required by the Department of Homeland Security for international students, almost all universities and colleges mandate it for students and their family members. The cost of healthcare insurance should be considered when planning the financial requirements for the I-20 form. Additionally, the cost of living in the US should be researched to determine a realistic estimate of the funds needed to cover rent, food, and other expenses.
The university's international student office or international admissions team typically manages the I-20 form requests, so they should be the first point of contact for students seeking to bring their spouses to the US.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the spouse of an international student cannot work under any circumstances. However, if the spouse changes their status from F2 to F1, they would be able to work.
The spouse of an international student can change their status from F2 to F1 by applying for an F1 visa.
The spouse of an international student must meet the same requirements as an F1 student, including being enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program, being enrolled full-time, being proficient in English, having sufficient funds, and maintaining a residence abroad.
Yes, one work program available for F1 students is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to obtain training in their field of study for up to 12 months per academic program.
The spouse of an international student must obtain approval from both the international student office at their school and from USCIS. They must also file Form I-765 to request employment authorization and receive an employee authorization document.
