Are you on an F-1, J-1, H-1B, or O-1 visa? If you’re already at Cornell, you may decide to bring your spouse or children under the age of 21 to the United States to join you.
Unmarried partners, adult children (age 21 or over), and other family members (parents, siblings, etc.) are not eligible for dependent visas. See Invite Friends or Family for options.
Your spouse or children will need to apply for F-2 or J-2 visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate. But first, each dependent will need a separate I-20 (if you have an F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (if you have a J-1 visa) from Cornell.
If your dependents are already in the U.S. in a different status, they may be eligible to change their status within the U.S. This is a personal application, so International Services can’t review or advise you on this process.
How to Make an F-2 or J-2 Request
- Read the Rules
- Gather Proof
- Submit Request
- Pick Up Forms
1 Learn about applying for an entry visa.
If you are a F-1 or J-1 student, read about applying for a student entry visa. If you are a J-1 exchange visitor or intern, read about applying for an entry visa for Cornell employees. These webpages include important information for dependents.
2 Gather proof of financial support.
Proof of your financial support (depending on the source) may be a recent bank statement (a letter from your bank with a record of your accounts), your Cornell paycheck stubs, a letter from your academic department with your funding details, or a letter from your sponsor stating that they will support you, along with copies of their bank statements.
F-1 and J-1 Students
In order for International Services to issue an I-20 or DS-2019 for your family members, you must show you have the extra financial means to support them for the entire time needed to complete your degree or for one year, whichever is shorter. In other words: if you need more than one year to complete your degree program, you only need to provide evidence of ability to support your family members for one year.
Minimum Required Family Support
- $14,502 per 12 months for spouse
- $12,942 per 12 months for one child
- $3,450 per 12 months for each additional child
J-1 Exchange Visitors (Scholars)
You must show ability to support your family members for the entire time you’re at Cornell. The minimum required financial support (net income) is assessed biannually by location. These amounts do not include the cost of required health insurance and may not be enough to cover your actual living expenses. For example, you may need to economize by finding shared housing.
Minimum Support: Ithaca and Geneva
- $2,400 per month for yourself
- $1,200 per month for spouse
- If J-2 spouse is joining you in the U.S. and will provide childcare: $500 per month for one child and $400 per month for each additional child
- If J-2 spouse is not joining you in the U.S.: $1,100 per month per child
Minimum Support: New York City and Washington, D.C.
- $3,000 per month for yourself
- $1,200 per month for spouse
- If J-2 spouse is joining you in the U.S. and will provide childcare: $500 per month for one child and $400 for each additional child
- If J-2 spouse is not joining you in the U.S.: $1,200 per child
3Submit your request.
Submit the Add New Dependent to Existing SEVIS Record form in myStatus.
4Pick up your family’s paperwork.
We will email you within five business days when we have your I-20 or DS-2019 forms ready. When you pick up the forms, you can make an appointment with one of our advisors if you have questions about next steps.
Find useful advice for your family about entering the U.S. for students and for Cornell employees.
H-1B and O-1: Bring Dependents
If you’re an H-1B employee, your spouse and children under 21 may be eligible for H-4 status.
- H-4 visa holders are not allowed to work under most circumstances.
- H-4 spouses may enroll in a part-time or full-time course of study in the U.S.
- H-4 children may attend U.S. public schools (K–12).
H-4 spouses may be able to work by changing visa status.
H-4 dependents are rarely eligible to work in the U.S. or obtain Social Security numbers. H-4 spouses can apply for a status change to an H-1B or other work-authorized visa of their own if they meet the qualifications and find an employer to file the petition.
If you’re an H-1B employee with an approved permanent residency petition, your H-4 spouse may become eligible to apply for work authorization. Learn more about who is eligible to apply for a Green Card.
If you’re an O-1 employee, your spouse and children under 21 may be eligible for O-3 status.
- O-3 visa holders are never allowed to work.
- O-3 spouses may enroll in a part-time or full-time course of study in the U.S.
- O-3 children may attend U.S. public schools (K–12).
How to Make an H-4 or O-3 Request
Begin by reading about applying for an entry visa. This webpage for Cornell employees includes important information for dependents.
If Your Dependents Are in the U.S.
If eligible, your dependents can file an I-539 application to change their status within the U.S.
Two Filing Options
- The application can be included with your H-1B or O-1 petition as a courtesy. You'll find more information about this process in your H-1B or O-1 request in myStatus. (Please note that International Services can’t review or advise on the I-539 application.)
- You can file the application separately from your H-1B or O-1 petition. There are online filing options.
If Your Dependents Are Outside the U.S
Canadian citizens do not need an entry visa. All other foreign nationals need to apply for H-4 or O-3 entry visas at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
What to Bring to the Interview
Entering the U.S.
Find useful advice for your family about entering the United States on this page for Cornell employees.
Canadians: Canadian H-4 and O-3 dependents don’t have visa interviews in advance, so we advise your family to prepare for questioning at the border by carrying copies of your H-1B or O-1 documents and proof of relationship to you (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers).
