Study

The need to monitor foreign students being educated and trained in the U.S. is of vital importance to the national security of the U.S. The government believes that the value of SEVIS would be undermined if there is no distinction between an F-1 student and F-2 dependent when it comes to receiving an education. Therefore, an F-2 dependent (which is a spouse or child of an F-1 student) may not engage in full time study according to government regulations. The only exception to this is in the case of an F-2 child in full time study at an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through 12th grade).

Vocational or Recreational Part-time Study OK

An F-2 spouse or child may be involved in part time study, provided that this study is vocational or recreational in nature. Vocational or recreational means study that is incident to your status and is occasional or casual for the purpose of pursuing a hobby or interest, such as an English language course or a tennis class. Any full time study, even if recreational in nature, is prohibited and is a violation of your status. Even part time study that counts towards a degree requirement, leads to a specific educational or professional objective, or satisfies a prerequisite would not be incident to your status and is considered a status violation.

Work

F-2 dependents may not work on or off-campus under any circumstances. If a change of status to F-1 is applied for, you must wait for the change of status to be approved before beginning employment.

Changing Your Status by Mail

If you wish to pursue a full course of study or be employed, you must first apply for a Change of Status to F-1 with USCIS and wait until your status change is approved, which takes 2 – 4 months to process. ISSSO will issue you a new I-20 for the application. It is highly recommended that F-2 dependents not begin a course of study, even part time, until their change of status is approved. If the program start date is approaching, you should defer attendance until the change of status is approved.

Changing Your Status by Travel

If you previously entered the U.S. as an F-1 student and your F-1 visa sticker in your passport is still valid, another option is to travel to Mexico and re-enter using the F-1 visa. If you have a valid F-2 visa, you may want to consider traveling to Mexico to apply for an F-1 visa. You will need to obtain a new I-20 from ISSSO in order to apply for the F-1 visa. In the case you are denied the F-1 visa, you may re-enter the U.S. on your valid F-2 visa.

You should schedule an appointment with an International Student Counselor to discuss these travel options and the risks involved. You can schedule an appointment by calling 713-743-5065.