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A Guide for International Graduate Students 2009-2010

7.  Married Students

Married students who wish to have their families join them must realize their financial obligations. A married couple will require at least an additional $17,620 per year for a spouse and $11,328 per year for each child.For further details about bringing family members, please click here.

Spouse Employment and Study

An F-1 student’s dependent spouse should NOT expect to study or to obtain employment in the U.S. An F-2 dependent is not permitted to engage in any kind of employment. Nor is an F-2 eligible for full-time study in the U.S. If an F-2 dependent wishes to engage in full-time studies, or studies that are more than recreational in scope, s/he must change status to F-1. A J-1 student’s dependent spouse may apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to work if s/he meets the requirements. Spouses with J-2 status who want to work while in the U.S. should consult with the OVS upon their arrival.  

      Social Security Numbers   

    F-2 dependents are not eligible for Social Security numbers. J-2 dependents are eligible for a Social Security number only after obtaining employment authorization from  USCIS. 

          Driver’s License       

    F-2 dependents and J-2 dependents may be eligible for a New Jersey driver’s license even without a social security number. However, their F-1 or J-1 spouse must have a Social Security number (SSN) or SSN denial letter from Social Security Administration before the dependent can apply for the license. The spouse should take all immigration documents (I-20, I-94, passport) as well as those of the F-1 or J-1 student (including a copy of the SSN). J-2 spouses with work permission will be eligible for a Social Security number. They must show their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in addition to all other pertinent immigration documentation when applying for a driver’s license. 

    Day Care and Schools for Dependent Children

If dependent children who  require daycare or babysitting services will accompany you, you will need to make arrangements as soon as possible. Admission to a daycare program requires a waiting period and can be very costly. Some students find it helpful to postpone the arrival of their dependents until after arrangements for housing and schooling have been made. For additional information on childcare, consult the Graduate School’s website.  

    Public school education in the U.S. is free for all children age 5 and older. All children between the ages of 5-16 are required by law to attend school. There are some private and religious-affiliated schools for which there is a tuition charge. The school year is from early September to mid June. Upon arrival, you should check with the school district in which you reside to find out how to enroll your children. When registering, you must bring your children’s health records, dates of immunization, and birth certificates – all translated into English.