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. 

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. 

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 77801
Key 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

Website: https://www.twincitymission.org/domestic-violence-service