Active F-1 students and J-1 students/scholars can request immigration documentation so their spouse and/or under age 21 child/children can apply for a dependent visa or change their immigration status within the U.S.
Submit the Dependent Request E-Form to request a new dependent(s). To login, enter your UMass NETID credentials and choose Amherst as your campus. Dependent requests take 10 business days to be processed.
- You should submit one Dependent Request for each dependent you want to add.
- Dependent’s Passport
- Current Immigration Documentation (if your dependent is within the U.S.)
- Required Funding Minimums
- Students
- You will need to submit finances for a single student plus each dependent. You must demonstrate funding for at least one year.
- Scholars
- You should use the Scholar Expense Cheat Sheet to assist you in your calculations.
- Students
- Financial Documentation Requirements
- Bank statements must be less than 6 months old and in English.
- Scholarship or Fellowship letters cannot be expired.
- Graduate Students: If you have an assistantship, please upload a copy of your contract. We cannot accept prior term contracts; please ask your department for an updated one or a confirmation letter of your funding. If additional funding is needed, ISSS will contact you.
Removing Dependents
If your dependent no longer needs UMass’ sponsorship, please email your ISSS advisor.
Family Resources
When bringing family members to the U.S., please read the important information on Schools and Childcare.
F-2 Dependent Specific Information
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F-2 dependents (whether the spouse or child/children) are not permitted to work under F-2 status in any situation.
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F-2 dependents (spouse or children who have graduated 12th grade) may study part-time only at an SEVP approved higher education institution as long as their F-1’s record is still in active status.
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F-2 dependent children may engage in full-time study, including any full course of study, in any elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through 12th grade) if their F-1’s record is still in active status.
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If the F-1’s status ends, the F-2’s does as well. Please review the F-1 Leaving UMass website
Contact ISSS if interested in switching to a F-1 if you are already enrolled at UMass. If you are admitted to UMass, you will receive an email from our office upon admission.
Once the F-2 has reached age 21, they are no longer eligible for F-2 status. You should plan at least 2 years ahead of time as to how you plan to change to an F-1 (or other status).
If an F-2 has been accepted into UMass, we will email them the process to get started on their F-1 I-20. If an F-2 has been accepted into another institution, the F-2 will need to work with their new institution.
There are two ways to change from an F-2 to an F-1 once you have the I-20.
- Travel. The fastest way to change is to leave the U.S., get your F-1 visa, and return.
- Change of status inside the U.S. Once you have your I-20, you will submit an application to USCIS. This process takes 12+ months and you cannot study full-time until USCIS has approved your change.
J-2 Dependent Specific Information
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J-2’s (spouses or child/children) have no restrictions with regards to study as long as their J-1’s record is still active. If the J-1’s status ends, the J-2’s status does as well.
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Dependents (spouse, children ages 15-21) of J-1 holders are eligible to work with permission from USCIS. The ISSS cannot advise on J-2 applications as they are personal applications. More information is available here.
J-2 Dependents are subject to the same 212e Home Residency Requirement and Bars on Repeat Participation as their J-1.