Adding or Removing Dependents

Adding Dependents

Dependents are your spouse or children under the age of 21 who are or will be in the U.S. on an F-2/J-2 visa. Please note that children born in the U.S. are considered U.S. citizens and do not need a visa.

At the point a child reaches his/her 21st birthday, s/he is automatically terminated from dependent F-2 or J-2 status. Please be sure to make timely accommodations for this.

Before your dependents can apply for a visa or initiate a change of status within the U.S. to be in F-2/J-2 status, you must first request an I-20/DS-2019 from the I-Center. Please visit the Forms page to download the appropriate form which will have further instructions. On this page, you will also find the latest Expense Chart of the minimum funding you must show per dependent.

Please note that you need to provide proof of your total funding which includes both your funding plus your dependent’s funding at the time of your dependent’s visa interview at a US embassy.

Removing Dependents

If you wish to remove your dependent(s) from your SEVIS record or your dependent changes to another visa status, you must contact an International Student Advisor at internationalstudents@stanford.edu.

Early Departure of Dependents

If a J-2 dependent departs the U.S. before the J-1 you must report it at http://web.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/j2departure.fb