Spouse and child (dependent) visas

The spouse and children of a person who goes to the United States on a temporary visa may accompany them in “dependent” status for most visa types, such as H-4, L-2, E, J-2, and F-2. On this page, you will find which visa is issued to whom, whether the spouse can work, children’s schooling, extensions, the age-21 limit, and application locations. B-1/B-2 visitors and certain J programs do not have dependent visas.

• The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of the principal visa holder.
• Principal visa → family status:
  • H-1B, H-2, H-3 → H-4
  • L-1 → L-2
  • E-1, E-2 → E (same letter)
  • J-1 → J-2
  • F-1 → F-2; M-1 → M-2
  • O-1 → O-3; P → P-4; R-1 → R-2
• Those without dependent visas:
  • B-1/B-2: each family member obtains a separate B-2.
  • Q-1 cultural exchange visa.
  • Au pair, camp counselor, high school student, and Work and Travel programs under J-1.
• Family members in E status do not have to be of the same nationality as the principal visa holder.
• Applications from same-sex spouses are assessed in the same manner.
• You must show that you can support your family in the United States.

• H-4 (spouse of an H-1B holder): only under certain conditions.
  • If the H-1B holder has an approved immigrant petition (Form I-140) or received an extension beyond the six-year limit (AC21), the spouse requests authorization using Form I-765.
  • Work is not permitted before the card (EAD) arrives.
• L-2 (spouse of an L-1 holder): yes, incident to status. An “L-2S” notation on Form I-94 serves as proof of work authorization. Requesting an EAD is optional.
• Spouse of an E-1 / E-2 holder: yes, incident to status. The spouse code on Form I-94 (“E-2S” for E-2) is sufficient. An EAD is optional.
• J-2: yes, after obtaining authorization with Form I-765. This income may not be used to support the J-1 holder.
• F-2 / M-2: no. They also cannot obtain an SSN.
• R-2: no.
• H-4 (spouse of an H-3 holder): no.
• Children: Children in L and E status cannot obtain work authorization in that status. H-4 work authorization is only for spouses.
• Work authorization fee (Form I-765): $520 (paper) or $470 (online).

1. Check eligibility: the H-1B spouse must have an approved I-140 or an AC21 extension.
2. Complete Form I-765, category (c)(26). If filed together with I-485, the category is (c)(9).
3. Attach evidence:
   • Your H-4 status: the I-539 approval notice (I-797) or an I-94 showing your H-4 admission
   • Official photo identification: the biographical page of your passport, a previous EAD, or a visa
   • Marriage certificate: an International Family Booklet from Türkiye or a marriage registration record (Formula B), with an English translation
   • Eligibility: documents showing the I-140 approval or AC21 extension
   • Two identical 2×2-inch color passport photos
4. Attach a certified complete English translation to every document in a foreign language.
5. Send it:
   • alone or together with I-539: to the address on the Form I-765 mailing addresses page
   • together with the spouse’s I-129 and your I-539: to the center where the I-129 was sent
   • USCIS decides on the I-765 only after the I-539 and I-129 have been adjudicated.
6. The EAD expiration date will be the same as the expiration date of your H-4 I-94. You may renew it no earlier than 180 days in advance.

• Since January 30, 2022, USCIS and CBP have issued spouses an “L-2S” or “E-2S” code on Form I-94. This unexpired I-94 is used as proof of work authorization on the Form I-9 requested by the employer.
• I-94 records issued before this date with an “L-2” or “E-2” notation remain valid together with the notice sent by USCIS.
• You may also obtain an EAD card by paying the fee. Even if the card expires, your right to work continues as long as your status remains valid; in that case, use the I-94 as evidence.
• Important for E families: An E-2 holder generally receives a new two-year period of stay each time they return from abroad. If family members did not enter together with the holder, this new period does not apply to them. Each family member must track their own I-94 date and request an extension before it expires.

1. Family members may apply together with the principal visa holder or later.
2. Each person completes a separate DS-160 and submits a separate application, including children listed in a passport. The fee varies by visa type; see 1.4 Fees.
3. Documents by visa type:
   • F-2 / M-2: a separate I-20 issued by the school for each family member, a copy of the student’s visa, and proof of relationship
   • J-2: a separate DS-2019 issued by the sponsor for each family member
   • H, L, O, P, R: for petition-based visas, the Embassy requests the original approved I-129 petition
4. Relationship documents from Türkiye:
   • marriage: International Family Booklet or marriage registration record (Formula B)
   • birth: population registry record or multilingual birth registration record (Formula A)
   • They can be obtained with a QR code through e-Government and are free of charge
5. Social media: H-4 (H-1B and H-3 families), F, M, J, and K applicants must set their accounts to “public.”
6. Visa validity (Turkish citizens): H-4, L-2, E dependent, J-2, F-2, M-2, and R-2 visas are valid for 60 months and allow multiple entries. H-4 and L-2 visas cannot be valid longer than the principal visa holder’s visa.

• Family members are generally granted the same period of stay as the principal visa holder.
• When the principal visa holder receives an extension, family members request an extension using Form I-539. Form I-539A is completed for each additional person included in the filing.
• Fee: $470 (paper) or $420 (online). USCIS recommends applying at least 45 days before the period ends.
• E-1 and E-2 principal visa holders cannot use I-539 (the employer files Form I-129); however, family members apply using I-539.
• You may submit the H-4 extension together with the spouse’s I-129 petition.

• Spouses and children of A, E, G, H, I, J, and L visa holders may attend school in the United States without changing status.
• F and M families:
  • children may attend primary and secondary school; no additional permission is required at the grade level for public schools
  • spouses and children may take less than a full course of study at an SEVP-certified school
  • for full-time higher education, they must change to F-1 or M-1 status using Form I-539
• Age 21: a child’s dependent status ends at age 21. The child must leave the country or change to their own status (for example, F-1). Plan the change before the 21st birthday.

• U.S. Embassy Ankara — nonimmigrant visas
  • Address: Çukurambar Mahallesi, 1480 Sokak No: 1, 06530 Çankaya / Ankara
  • Telephone: +90 312 294 00 00
• U.S. Consulate General Istanbul — nonimmigrant visas; for E visas, see 2.5 Investor and trader (E-2 / E-1)
  • Address: Poligon Mahallesi, Sarıyer Caddesi No: 75, 34460 İstinye / İstanbul
  • Telephone: +90 212 335 90 00
• Visa Information Hotline: from Türkiye +90 850 390 1950, from the United States +1 313 572 0883.
• USCIS Contact Center (I-539, I-765): +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833), Monday–Friday 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time).
• Details of status procedures from within the United States: 2.8 Change of status and extension of stay.

• Starting work before the H-4 spouse’s EAD card arrives.
• Submitting the EAD renewal late and relying on automatic extension.
• Forgetting to submit the family members’ extension applications because the principal visa holder received an extension.
• Assuming in E families that the principal visa holder’s new two-year period is also granted to the family.
• The F-2 spouse working or enrolling in school full time.
• Continuing to remain in dependent status without realizing that the child has turned 21.
• Sending Turkish marriage and birth documents without translations.

• Does my L-2 spouse need separate authorization to work? No. An I-94 with the “L-2S” code is sufficient; an EAD is optional.
• Can my H-4 spouse work immediately? Only if the H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 or AC21 extension, and only after the EAD card arrives.
• What happens when my child turns 21? Dependent status ends. The child must change to their own visa or status.
• Can my children attend public school? Yes. Children in H, L, E, and J families may attend school without changing status. F-2 children may attend primary and secondary school.
• Can my spouse accompany me with J-2? Yes, if your program and sponsor allow it. J-2 is not available for au pair, camp counselor, high school student, and Work and Travel programs.
• Can my spouse and children come later? Yes, in most visa categories, family members may apply later.

• Form I-539 (PDF)
• Form I-539 and I-539A instructions (PDF)
• Form I-539A (PDF)
• Form I-765 (PDF)
• Form I-765 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-539 mailing addresses
• Form I-765 mailing addresses
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (PDF)
• I-94 inquiry (CBP)
• DS-160 form (CEAC)
• Appointment system (ustraveldocs)
• USCIS processing times