J-2 Dependents

Your spouse or unmarried child/children under 21 may accompany you under  J-2 dependent status while you pursue a program of study, research or teaching in the U.S.; Non-immediate family members must enter in their own non-immigrant status, most commonly as B-2 visitors. They may also come later, entering the US by themselves.

Whether you decide to bring your family members with you at the time of your initial entry or at a later time, you are required to show evidence for each dependent of adequate financial support. J-2 dependents are required by law to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance coverage.

You must be able to show an additional amount of financial support for each J-2 dependent.  We encourage applicants to use the FundsV electronic verification service to satisfy TCNJ’s requirements for financial documentation!

 

Procedures for J-2 Requests:

STEP 1: Submit the following documentation to Arlotto Family Center for Global Engagement in Green Hall 111

• REQUEST FORM FOR J-2 STATUS

• Financial Documentation (e.g. bank statement, proof of grad assistantship, letter from employer or sponsor, etc.) – Please use the FundsV electronic verification system to submit your documentation!

Once the office adds your dependent(s) to your SEVIS record, a new DS-2019 is issued to you and each of your accompanying dependent.

STEP 2: Provide your dependent(s) with the following documentation for their visa application

• New J-2(DS-2019) (original)

• Your DS-2019 (copy)

• Your passport biographical page (copy)

• Your J-1 visa stamp (copy)

• Your I-94

• Financial documentation (e.g. bank statement; proof of graduate assistantship, letter from employer or sponsor)

• Your letter of invitation.

STEP 3: Your dependent(s) should contact their local U.S. Embassy/Consular Office and follow the procedures for J-2 visa application.

STEP 4: When your dependent(s) arrives in Ewing, have them check in at A. Family Center for Global Engagement and provide a copy of each dependent’s immigration documents ( and proof of insurance for J-2 dependents).

Procedures for Visiting Family (B-2 Status):

If you would like to invite your parents or other immediate family members for a short visit in the U.S., your family member(s) should contact their local U.S. Embassy/Consular Office and follow the procedures for B-2 visa application:

• U.S. Embassy/Consular Website

J-2 Travel:

Dependents in J-2 generally need the same documents to re-enter the U.S. as the primary J-1 student. Be sure to obtain an endorsement on the dependent DS-2019 in order to re-enter the U.S.

Dependents are not required to travel with the primary J-1 student. In addition, dependents may remain in the U.S. without the primary as long as the J-1 maintains their current status and will return after a temporary absence (generally 30 days or less) using the same SEVIS ID number.