Moving to a different country is an exciting and sometimes challenging experience. This page contains useful immigration information for scholars and their families to assist in the transition to the University of South Carolina. For more information on adapting life in the U.S., you will find the Living in Columbia section of the ISSS website useful. You can also find information specifically for dependents and about J-2 work authorization.
Dependents (spouse and/or children) must have a SEVIS record, a valid visa, and their own J-2 DS-2019. In order for ISSS to issue a DS-2019 certificate of eligibility for a family member, please submit supporting documentation:
- Initailly through the Exchange Visitor Questionnaire & Attestion, or
- The Exchange Visitor Request to Add Dependent form, and
- Financial documentation (please refer to this section of our website for information about financials).
At the J-2 visa interview, you will need a valid J-2 DS-2019. You must also have a valid passport and must be able to demonstrate eligibility for J-2 visa status, such as proof of relationship to the J-1 exchange visitor (e.g., a marriage certificate for spouses or a birth certificate for minor dependent children) as well as demonstrate proof of ties to your home country/nonimmigrant intent.
J-1 Exchange Visitors are required by law to maintain insurance coverage for themselves as well as all dependents on a J-2 visa during the entire length of the program (start to end dates on the DS-2019). The insurance must meet a set of minimum federal requirements for the duration of their Exchange Visitor Program. Failure to maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the entire duration of the DS-2019 for either the J-1 or J-2 may result in termination of the J-1 visa holder’s record.
How to Apply for Employment Authorization
J-2 Dependents who wish to apply for work authorization can do so by filing an I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
ISSS recommends the following materials as a general suggestion for your J-2 I-765 application:
- A written statement from the J-2 dependent, with any supporting evidence (a supporting letter from OIS), showing that J-2 employment is not necessary to support the J-1 but is for other purposes (i.e. your earnings will not support the principal J-1). Here is an example letter that includes a helpful statement for requesting that the card be authorized to the end date on your DS-2019.
- Complete Form I-765.
- Check made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You can provide a personal check, cashier's check, or money order. Please check the filing fee here.
- Photocopies of the following documents:
- Photocopies of J-1 and J-2’s DS-2019s
- Photocopies of passport photo page of J-1 and J-2 passports
- Photocopies of J-1 and J-2 Visas
- Printouts or photocopies of J-1 and J-2 I-94s
- 2 passport-style photos
Submitting your Application to USCIS:
The processing time for an I-765 application is typically ~3 months. You can find the direct filing address for a J-2 work authorization application on the USCIS website (navigate to "Foreign Students" and then to the "(c)(5)" category).