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Current Students


  • Change of Status
  • Change of Program/Degree
  • Dependent Information
  • Employment
  • Extension of Program
  • Maintaining Legal Status
  • Program Transfer In/Out
  • Travel Abroad
  • Reinstatement

  • J-1:Dependent Information

    J-2 dependents are defined as a spouse or an unmarried minor child 
    (under 21 years of age) of a J-1 student.  J-2 dependents:
    • may be admitted as a full-time degree seeking student;
    • may be employed with proper work authorization granted by USCIS. Click here for application material and instructions;
    • may enter the U.S. with or after the J-1 nonimmigrant, but never before;
    • must have a DS-2019 every time they travel outside the United States, separately from the J-1 nonimmigrant;
    • may not remain in the U.S. after the J-1 student is absent from the U.S. unless temporary absence of less than five months.
    Inviting an J-2 Dependent
    An J-1 students may invite his/her spouse or unmarried children to 
    join them after arriving at KU by the following method:
    1. Complete a DS-2019 Request form
    2. Provide evidence of financial support (bank statement, sponsor letter) for the dependent(s); $3,400 per dependent.
    3. Submit completed documents to an ISSS advisor by appointment.
    An ISSS advsior will prepare the necessary SEVIS dependent DS-2019(s). 
    The student's dependent(s) will then use the DS-2019, marked 
    "for use by dependents", to apply for an J-2 dependent visa at an 
    U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his/her home country. 
    Important
    When the J-2 dependents arrive in the U.S., the J-1 student must update his/her information to reflect the presence of dependents. Please bring all DS-2019 documents and family member passports to ISSS office.