How to add or remove dependents
Adding Dependents
If you are an F-1 or J-1 and would like to invite your spouse or children to the U.S., then you can submit a request to ISSS to add your family as dependents.
F-1/J-1 Students should submit an Add F-2/J-2 Dependent in the ISSS Portal.
J-1 Scholars/Interns email the following documents to j1scholars@tamu.edu.
- Your Passport, visa, I-94 and most recent DS-2019
- Each dependent's passport or information
- ISSS will need to know your dependent’s first name, middle name, last name (as stated in passport), date of birth, city of birth, birth country, country of citizenship, country of residence, gender, and relationship to the J-1 (spouse, child)
- Proof of financial support for your current J-1 program + all dependents
After ISSS reviews the request, we will issue a new I-20/DS-2019 for you and we will issue documents for your F-2/J-2 dependents. Your dependents can then start the visa process to come to the U.S. For more information about visas click here.
After your dependents arrive in the U.S., you will need to submit a check-in to ISSS:
- F-1/J-1 Students need to submit an F-2/J-2 Dependent Check-In in the ISSS Portal.
- J-1 Scholars/Interns will need to email their dependent's J-2 visa, I-94, and signed J-2 DS-2019 to j1scholars@tamu.edu.
Removing Dependents
Dependents can be removed from your record for the following reasons:
- Departure from the U.S. with no intent to return as F-2/J-2
- Divorce
- Children aging out at 21
- Violating F-2 or J-2 status
- Change of immigration status
- Death
If you need to remove a dependent from your record, students should submit a General ISSS Request in the ISSS Portal and scholars/interns should email j1scholars@tamu.edu with the reason why the dependent needs to be removed. ISSS will follow up with you if additional documentation is necessary.
F-2 and J-2 Requirements and Restrictions
Education
- F-2 and J-2 children are allowed to study full-time at elementary or secondary schools
- Kindergarten through 12th grade
- J-2s do not have any restrictions on studying
- F-2s cannot study full-time after 12th grade, unless the study is avocational or recreational
- This means any full-time study cannot count towards a degree requirement, satisfy a prerequisite, or lead to a specific educational or professional objective
- Part-time study is allowed for degree granting programs
Employment
- F-2s cannot work under any circumstances
- J-2s can apply for J-2 work authorization from USCIS if they want employment
- See the J-2 Work Authorization section below for more information
Travel
F-2 and J-2 dependents will need a travel signature if they intend to travel outside the U.S. and return later. More information about travel signatures can be found here. It’s okay for F-2/J-2 spouses to travel without the F-1/J-1.
Children Aging Out of F-2/J-2
Children are no longer eligible for F-2 or J-2 status when they turn 21. If they want to stay in the U.S., they can apply to change to another immigration status before their F-2 or J-2 expires. They should start preparing to change status early on to avoid possible status violation of F-2 or J-2.
ISSS can assist if a child wants to change to F-1 or j-1 status to study at Texas A&M. See Applying for F-1 or J-1 Status for more information.
Applying for J-2 Employement Authorization
J-2s are eligible to work in the U.S. with authorization from USCIS in the form of an EAD card. You will need to file an I-765 application with USCIS and pay their fee. As part of the I-765 application, you will need to provide the following with your request:
- A copy of your Form DS-2019
- Evidence the J-1 is currently maintaining status
- Evidence that any income from this employment authorization will not be used to support the J-1
- Evidence you (the J-2) are currently maintaining status; and
- Evidence of all previously authorized periods of J-2 employment (if applicable).
- Evidence that any income from this employment authorization will not be used to support the J-1 principal non-citizen is a statement where J-2 says s/he will only need some extra cash for travel/personal experiences in the US but does not need or intend to support their family and J-1.
You will need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work in the U.S. You can request one on your I-765 application.
If your J-1 partner is a faculty member, you may use the TAMU Dual Career Program for assistance with finding work after you obtain your EAD card.
International Spouses Forum
The mission of International Spouses Forum (ISF) is to create a social platform for international student/scholar spouses and their families to connect with each other, share experiences and passions, as well as explore the College Station/Bryan community together. Light refreshments and coffee are on us!
ISSS organizes gatherings at a coffee shop on or near campus. The ISF coffee conversations are usually held on the first Friday of every month during the Fall and the Spring semester. Please make sure you check your emails and/or our Facebook postings.
Please check out more information and opportunities for various ISF events and activities in the local community through the following sources: ISF Facebook Group
Resources for Families with Children
Local Activities for Kids
Enrolling a Child in School
Kids who will be 5 years or older by September 1 of the current year can attend K-12 school (Kindergarten through 12th grade).
J-2 and F-2 children are allowed to attend U.S. public schools. Bryan and College Station have separate school districts – so you can enroll your child for one based on where you live.
You will need to register your child online with College Station ISD or Bryan ISD. See their websites for a list of required documents and general information about the different schools available.
Childcare
Childcare in the U.S. is mostly privately owned. The demand for childcare centers in College Station is high, the lines are long, and the basic agreement between parents and the childcare provider can make it expensive and complicated to quit.
Before you sign any documents, please make sure you and your kid(s) like the place and the teachers. It’s okay to have an extra agreement - for example, try 2 weeks (you pay for it, but won’t have to pay for 3 more months if this does not work out) and see if your child likes the place.
Below are some of the local B/CS childcare locations. There may be others depending on your location:
- Becky Gates Children's Center (At least one parent must be affiliated with TAMU)
- Charlotte Sharp Children’s Center
- Stepping Stone School
- Kiddie Academy of College Station
- Southwood Learning Center
- Bullfrogs and Butterflies Child Care Center
- Peas in a Pod Learning Center
- Golden Keys Learning Center
- Prodigy Learning Center
- Happy Feet Childcare
Additional Resources
Volunteering
Volunteering is an excellent opportunity for dependents looking for a way to pass time and make meaningful relationships in their new home. The Aggie Community and broader Bryan- College Station area have a great number of volunteer opportunities, ranging from visiting with the sick to helping build homes. Dependents with degrees, work experience, and unique skillsets will find a wide range of positions where they can be an asset. Volunteering is also an excellent way to get connected with other spouses and families in the area, both local and international.
Volunteering opportunities can be found through searches on Texas A&M’s website for service https://aggieserve.tamu.edu/, or by searches on volunteermatch.org after searching “College Station, TX” or “Bryan, TX”. Both sites utilize filter searches to help you find causes you are familiar with or interested in.
However, if you decide to volunteer, it is important to comply with the Department of Homeland Security rules and regulations for F2 and J2 dependents. You may not receive any form of taxable outcome for your volunteer activities and may not work in a position for which an employer would otherwise officially hire someone. To put it more simply: you cannot be paid for volunteering and you cannot volunteer in a position for which you normally would be paid. If you are unsure if your volunteering meets federal regulations, please contact ISSS.
Resources to Learn English
Texas A&M University and Bryan/College Station have various resources available for the international community to learn English or improve it. Here is a link to the list.Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Resources
The following resources are available in the Bryan / College Station community and are not directly affiliated with Texas A&M University. As such, they are available to students and non-students. We encourage individuals to be aware of the resources available to them and seek the resources that they need.
Sexual Assault Resource Center
The key services or programs offered by the Sexual Assault Resource Center include crisis services, individual counseling, group counseling, education & outreach. More information about their services can be found at - https://www.sarcbv.org/Twin City Mission Phoebe's Home
Location: 2505 South College Avenue Bryan, Texas 77801Key Services or Programs:
- The Doug Weedon Shelter for Hope
- The Community Closet
- The Community Cafe
- Rapid Re-Housing Program
- Domestic Violence Services
- Universal Child Abuse Prevention (U.C.A.P)
- Donation & Resale Services