Janice Lozano
International students in the US on an F-1 visa may be joined by their spouse or dependent children, who can enter the US on an F-2 visa. While F-1 students may work on-campus during their first academic year and off-campus after their first academic year, their spouses are not permitted to work under any circumstances and will not be provided with a social security number. Spouses of J-2 visa holders, however, are eligible to apply for a work permit from USCIS.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa category for spouses of international students | F-2 visa |
| Requirements | Evidence of funding of $7000 per year for a spouse, proof of familial relationship, return flight booking |
| Work authorization | Not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations, no social security number provided |
| Study authorization | Allowed to study part-time, up to 11 credits for an undergraduate program or 7 credits for a graduate program |
| Alternative visa options | J-2 dependent visa, spousal immigrant visa |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa requirements for spouses
Spouses of international students are eligible for an F-2 visa, which is a non-immigrant visa that allows them to enter and live in the United States. To obtain an F-2 visa, the spouse must meet certain requirements and complete the necessary application procedures. Here are the key F-1 visa requirements for spouses:
- Student Status: The spouse must be the dependent of an F-1 visa holder, who is enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution. The student must be pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate at a college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or another academic institution.
- Institution Certification: The academic institution where the student is enrolled must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students.
- SEVIS Enrollment: The spouse must enroll in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and obtain an individual Form I-20 from the SEVP-approved school. This form certifies their admissibility and is required for their visa application.
- Valid Passport: The spouse must possess a valid passport from their country, which is acceptable for US travel. The passport should be valid for at least six months after the expected completion date of the student's program or the date of entry/re-entry into the United States.
- Financial Stability: Both the F-1 visa holder and the spouse must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover their expenses while residing in the United States. This includes tuition fees, living costs, and any other relevant expenses.
- Visa Application and Interview: The spouse must complete the DS-160 visa application, which is the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate. During the interview, the consular officer will collect fingerprints and make a determination regarding the application.
- No Work Authorization: It is important to note that the F-2 visa does not authorize the spouse to work in the United States. They are not allowed to engage in any form of employment, on-campus or off-campus. However, they can apply to change their visa status if they find employment that requires a different type of work visa.
These are the key requirements and considerations for an F-1 visa holder's spouse seeking to accompany them to the United States. It is important to carefully review the requirements, prepare the necessary documentation, and allow ample time for visa processing and interview scheduling.
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Work permit eligibility
To work in the USA, non-citizens usually require permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This permission is typically granted in the form of a visa or a work permit.
Spouses of international students in the USA may be eligible for a work permit depending on their visa status. The spouse of an international student may enter the US on an F-2 visa, which is a derivative visa category of the F-1 student visa. The F-2 visa is intended for dependent spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21. F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number.
However, an F-2 visa holder may change their status to F-1, which would allow them to work in the US under certain conditions. F-1 visa holders may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 visa holders may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and economic hardship employment. CPT is off-campus employment or an internship for credit, which may be part-time during the school year and full-time during breaks. OPT provides 12 months of training in the visa holder's field of study and can serve as a bridge to an employment visa. To work off-campus, F-1 visa holders must obtain approval from their school's international student office and USCIS, and the work must be related to their area of study.
Spouses of J-1 visa holders enter the US on a J-2 visa and are eligible to apply for a work permit from USCIS after entering the country.
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Work restrictions for spouses
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 derivative visa category, meaning the length of stay allowed for the spouse will be equal to that of the student. To obtain an F-2 visa for their spouse, the student must prove that they have the financial support to fund them. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse. Dependents must also show that they will be returning home when the F-1 student's education is complete.
F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work in the US under F-2 visa regulations and will not be provided with a social security number. However, an F-2 spouse may change their status to F-1 and would then be able to work in the US. After the first academic year, F-1 visa holders may accept on-campus employment and, under certain conditions, off-campus employment.
Alternatively, a spouse may apply for a J-2 dependent visa, which allows them to apply for a work permit from USCIS after entry to the US.
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Student visa eligibility for spouses
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 derivative visa category, meaning that the length of stay allowed for the spouse will be equal to that of the student. The spouse must also enrol in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and obtain an individual Form I-20 from the SEVP-approved school.
To obtain a visa for their spouse, the student must first be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program at a SEVP-approved school. The student must also be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. They must also have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study and maintain a residence abroad that they do not intend to give up.
The spouse must provide evidence that they have adequate funds to support themselves during their stay. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse. The spouse must also show that they will be returning home when the student's education is complete. This can be demonstrated with a return flight booking.
F-2 visa holders are not authorized to work in the United States and will not be provided with a social security number. However, J-2 dependent (spouse) visa holders are eligible to apply for a work permit from USCIS after entering the US.
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Green card application process
The spouse of an international student in the US is eligible to apply for a work permit from USCIS as a J-2 dependent (spouse) visa holder. They may also be able to work under an F-2 visa, but this is not guaranteed.
If the spouse of an international student wishes to gain permanent residence in the US, they must apply for a Green Card. This is a three-step process that requires thorough documentation to prove the relationship is genuine. Here is a step-by-step guide to the Green Card application process for the spouse of an international student:
Step 1: File Form I-130
The first step is to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form must be signed with the correct fee and include all the required documentation. This includes proof of the marriage, such as a legal marriage certificate, evidence of any name changes, and passport-style photos. It also includes proof of the termination of any previous marriages, such as divorce or death certificates.
Step 2: File Form I-485
Once Form I-130 has been approved, the next step is to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This form has a filing fee, and you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence. You must also independently qualify for a Green Card and file your own application; you cannot qualify as a derivative beneficiary based on your spouse's application.
Step 3: Provide Supporting Documentation
The final step is to provide supporting documentation to prove that your relationship is genuine. This includes financial documents such as joint bank accounts, insurance policies, tax returns, and loan documents. You must also provide proof of your spouse's status, such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or their own Green Card.
It is important to note that the above process applies if the spouse of the international student is already in the United States. If they are outside the United States, they must follow the Consular Processing instructions provided by USCIS.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the Green Card application process can be expensive, with costs varying depending on the specific situation. As of 2025, the application cost is $3005 for couples living in the U.S. and $1340 when one or both spouses live outside the U.S.
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Frequently asked questions
No, under F-2 visa regulations, spouses of international students are not permitted to work in the USA.
The F-2 visa is a derivative visa for spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21 of an F-1 visa holder.
The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for full-time students enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program.
The requirements include being enrolled as a full-time student, being proficient in English, and having sufficient funds to support oneself for the duration of the course.
A spouse can change their status from F-2 to F-1 and then follow the same steps as an F-1 student to obtain work authorization. Alternatively, they can apply for a Green Card, which will grant them work authorization.
