International Spouses
and Dependents
J-2
Visa for Exchange Visitor Dependent
The spouse and unmarried
minor children of a J-1 Exchange Visitor who accompany
the principal participant to the United States, or
follow to join him or her here are designated as being
in J-2 visa status.
Eligibility
Requirements. Only the spouse and unmarried
minor children of the J-1 Exchange Visitor are eligible
for J-2 status. Other family members, such as parents,
brothers, and sisters, are not eligible.
Issuance of
Form DS-2019. The Associate Director of International
Programs will provide a SEVIS Form DS-2019 for each
J-2 dependent. The J-2 dependent will need to use
the DS-2019 to obtain a J-2 visa from a U.S. Consulate
or Embassy. The J-2 dependent(s) may travel at different
times than the principal J-1 Exchange Visitor to the
United States.
Employment
of J-2 Dependents. J-2 dependents may apply
to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for
permission to work. This employment and wages must
not be needed to support the J-1 Exchange Visitor.
Permission to work from the USCIS is not
guaranteed! Please read J-2 Employment Application
Procedures for further details.
Social
Security taxes are deducted from the earnings of J-2
dependents. J-2 dependents are subject to Social Security
taxes, federal income taxes, and state income taxes.
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J-2 Health Insurance Requirement
Every
J-2 Exchange Visitor is required to obtain
Health Insurance which meets the minimum requirements
specified by the U.S. Department of State. This insurance
must be maintained throughout the program period on
the J-1’s Form DS-2019.
- Minimum Coverage: Insurance shall
cover:
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person
per accident or illness.
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.
- Expenses associated with medical evacuation
in the amount of $10,000.
The
UND Office of International Programs has applications
for Health Insurance through Student Assurance Services
that meets the requirements of the U.S. Department
of State. The cost for this insurance for the 2007-2008
Academic Year is:
- J-2 Spouse = $2,688.00 annual ($224.00 per month)
- J-2 Child(ren) = $1,932.00 annual ($161.00 per
month)
Some
J-2 Exchange Visitors will be the spouse and family
members of a fully benefited J-1 Exchange Visitor
employee at the University of North Dakota. In that
case, the J-1 Exchange Visitor will be required
to purchase Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance
from International SOS Inc. to meet U.S. Department
of State regulations. The current annual cost of this
insurance is:
- $130 (Annual ) or $100 (6 Months) for J-1 visitor
and J-2 spouse
- $130 (Annual) or $100 (6 Months) for J-1 visitor
and J-2 child
- $200 (Annual ) or $160 (6 Months) for J-1 and
J-2 family
Information
regarding the insurance can be obtained at www.internationalsos.com/visitorusa.
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J-2 Employment Application Procedures
Who is Eligible?
J-2 dependents are
eligible for employment in the United States. However,
J-2 dependents are required to apply for an Employment
Authorization Card from the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Service. With this card, the J-2 dependent
may participate in any type of legal employment in
the United States. United States law states that the
purpose of J-2 employment must not be to
support the J-1 exchange visitor.
How Do I Apply for an Employment Authorization
Card?
You must make an appointment
with the UND Associate Director of International Programs
(777-3935). The Associate Director will assist you
in applying for an Employment Authorization Card.
The application process consists of the following:
- $340.00 Fee payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Two passport-style photographs of the J-2 (Less
than 30 days old)
- Photocopy of the J-1's current SEVIS Form DS-2019
- Photocopy of the J-2’s current SEVIS Form
DS-2019
- Photocopy of the Form I-94 (front and back) belonging
to the J-1
- Photocopy of the Form I-94 (front and back) belonging
to the J-2
- Letter from J-2 stating why the employment is
desired
- In this letter, the J-2 must indicate the source
and amount of support that he or she receives
from the J-1
- The J-2 must specifically state that the income
derived from employment will not be used to support
the J-1 exchange visitor
- Note: Financial need is not
a criterion for employment authorization of a
J-2 dependent
- $25.00 Processing Fee payable to the UND Office
of International Programs
Your Employment Authorization Card and Authorized
Length of Employment
If permission for
employment is granted, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Service will issue you an Employment Authorization
Card. This card will be valid for any kind of full-time
or part-time employment for the period of time
stated on the Employment Authorization Card.
The U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Service will grant you J-2 employment
authorization for up to 1 year at a time. However,
your J-2 employment authorization will not exceed
the duration of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program indicated
on the J-1's Form DS-2019. Moreover, your J-2 employment
authorization is valid only if the J-1 is maintaining
status.
Extending Your Employment Authorization
You must file an application
for an Employment Authorization Card with the Associate
Director of International Programs each time you need
an extension of employment. The new Employment Authorization
Card will be issued for no longer than one year, or
the length of time left on the J-1 Exchange Visitor
Program. Therefore, the J-1 should consider an extension
of his or her program before submission of he paperwork
for an extension of the J-2 employment authorization.
You must file for
a new Employment Authorization Card several months
before your current card expires. You must do this
in order to avoid an interruption in your employment
authorization. J-2 employment terminates with the
expiration of the Employment Authorization Card, and
the mere filing of an application for a new authorization
does not permit employment during the adjudication
process. If your current Employment Authorization
Card has expired, you must stop working until you
receive your new Employment Authorization Card!
Obtaining a Social Security Card
Once you receive your
Employment Authorization Card, you will be eligible
to obtain a Social Security number and card. The Associate
Director of International Programs will assist you
in this matter.
Social Security and Other Taxes
J-2 dependents are
subject to Social Security Taxes. They are also subject
to Federal Income Taxes and North Dakota Income Taxes.
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H-4 Visa for Dependent of H-1B Visa
Employee
Spouses and unmarried
minor children (under 21 years of age) of an H-1B
alien are considered H-4 dependents.
H-4 visa status prohibits
employment authorization. If an H-4 dependent qualifies
for specialty employment in his or her own right,
a change of status to H-1B is necessary before such
employment may be undertaken.
H-4 dependents may
study in the United States on a full-time or part-time
basis. Dependents should weigh the benefits of changing
their status to F-1 versus remaining in H-4 status.
H-4 dependents are not subject to F-1 requirement
to pursue a full course of study. However, H-4 dependents
are not eligible for F-1 benefits such as on-campus
employment and practical training.
When H-4 dependent
children turn 21, they are no longer considered "children"
under U.S. law. They are no longer eligible for H-4
status. In order to remain in the United States, they
must change to another nonimmigrant status, such as
F-1 for full-time students.
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TD Visa for Dependent of a TN Visa
Employee
Dependents
of TN status holders are admitted into the United
States in TD (Trade Dependent) status. TD status holders
may attend the University of North Dakota on a part-time
or full-time basis. TD visa holders are not authorized
to work in the United States.
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