General
Legal dependents (spouse and children) of international students or
employees in F-1, J-1, TN or H-1B non-immigrant status may enter the US as F-2,
J-2, TD or H-4 visa holders. Their stay in the US is completely dependent on
that of the principal alien. If the J-1 exchange visitor withdraws from school
or the H-1B holder leaves his or her employment at Dartmouth College and leaves
the US, the J-2 or H-4 dependent must leave as well. If the F-1 student leaves
the country for an extended vacation term, the J-2 must leave as well.
Similarly, if the TN leaves the country, the TD must as well. The following
information may help to clarify some of the liabilities and responsibilities
associated with a dependent visa status.
Employment Regulations
Dependents in F-2, TD or H-4 status may not accept employment in the U.S.
They may volunteer only if the position for which they are interested has
always been a volunteer position, and always will be. The CIS or the Department
of Labor (DOL) does not allow a dependent to volunteer for a position, and then
begin to receive payment for performing the same duties once a change of
immigration status is approved. It is possible for the dependent to be offered
a paid position, and apply for a change of status to an appropriate visa that
allows employment. These opportunities are rare, however, and certain
qualifications dictated by the visa type must be met before the visa status
change is approved. In addition, employment may not commence until the CIS
approves the change. This can take five months or more.
Travel:
If traveling outside and re-entering the U.S, the dependents need to ensure
that they have valid passports appropriate, valid dependent visas, and the
proper forms (F-2: I-20 form, J-2: DS-2019 form, and H-4: the I-797 H-1B
Approval Notice). The I-20 form held by the dependent must have a travel
signature on the form that is no older than 6 to 9 months or within a year on
the DS-2019. The H-4 dependent should have the original Notice of Approval for
the principle's H-1B status, Form I-797.
Please Note:
- If the principal and or dependents will be traveling to Canada, Mexico, or
the adjacent islands (ie: Caribbean islands) for a visit of less than 30 days,
and their visas have expired, they will be allowed to re-enter the U.S. using
those expired visas due to a process called Automatic Revalidation. Please
contact the International Office for more information on this.
- Your U.S. visa will not be valid to let you enter Canada. Citizens of
certain countries are required to have a visa to enter Canada, while others are
not. Please go to this website to determine if you need a Canadian visa to
visit Canada:
Dependent Orientation
Please visit the following website pages we have created to help
international spouses and children adjust to the U.S., and the Dartmouth
community. Please contact the International Office if you have any questions.
We are eager to help!
Unfortunately, due to a staffing shortage, the International Office does not
currently offer a formal dependent orientation program. Please explore the
following links for more information that may prove helpful to your family once
they arrive in the US.
Town of Hanover, NH
Schools: Hanover, NH and Norwich, VT Public Schools:
Medical Facilities
Nearby Towns
Real Estate
Agencies
English as a Second Language courses: Rassias Foundation
Libraries
Local Insurance
Companies
Local
Restaurants
Local Travel
Agencies
Local
churches and synagogues
Local
Childcare Agencies
Local Banks
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