To be eligible for J-2 visa status, you must be the spouse or unmarried child of a J-1. The J-1 student/scholar must request a J-2 DS-2019 in order to petition for J-2 status. Please go to the M-Passport portal and log in as a J-1 student or scholar. After logging in, go to Requests > Add J-2 Dependent and follow the on-screen instructions.

A person of any non-immigrant status, with the exception of C, D, K, or M (and in some situations J), who enters the United States under the provisions of the Visa Waiver Program, can apply for a change to J-2 status if he or she has maintained lawful non-immigrant status up to the time of application. Those with J status who are subject to the 212(e) two-year home country physical requirement are not permitted to change status in the United States unless a waiver is granted. Non-immigrants with A, G, or NATO status must first complete Form I-566, which must be appropriately endorsed by the foreign mission in the United States and the Department of State.

Below are some of the documents needed:

• G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
• A cover letter (one page) requesting the change of status from your current status to J-2. This letter should include a brief explanation as why you wish to change to J-2 status. You should also provide a checklist of the documentation you are including in your application.
• USCIS Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, including application fee.
• Evidence of financial support (i.e., bank statement, J-1’s employment letter, etc.).
• Copy of your entire J-2 DS-2019 (spouses and children 14 years of age and older sign at the bottom of the form before making a copy; J-1 exchange visitor must sign the form for children younger than 14). Do NOT send your original DS-2019. USCIS does not require the original and will not return it.
• Copies of all of the immigration documents (e.g. DS-2019, I-20, I-797, paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94, valid passport, visa stamp, EAD card, etc.) showing that you are currently in lawful non-immigrant status.
• Copy of the waiver (if you were previously subject to the 212(e) Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement while in J status), if applicable.
• Copies of all of your J-1 spouse’s/parent’s immigration documents (e.g., DS-2019, I-797, paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94, valid passport, visa stamp, EAD card, etc.) showing that he/she is currently in lawful J-1 status.
• Proof of your relationship with your J-1 spouse/parent (e.g., copy of marriage certificate, birth certificate, passport information).

We recommend that you make a copy of this application for your own record.

One of the most essential difficulties in making this change in immigration status will be whether you can offer documentation of having liquid assets sufficient to pay for one full year of your U.S. school tuition, living expenses, and insurance. You must also be able to cover the expenses of any dependents you have (spouse, children, or anyone you support).

Many of these figures can be estimated by your academic institution. (For additional information on this critical eligibility problem, see Financial Requirements for a Student Visa.)

As an applicant for an F-1 visa, you will also have to provide proof that you intend to return home at the completion of the academic program. This requirement is common to all nonimmigrant (temporary) visas, though it can be challenging for students who might not have a job or home awaiting them in their country of origin.

To convert a J2 visa to an F1 visa, you must apply for a new F1 visa. This procedure entails submitting a fresh visa application to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with any relevant papers. Because the application procedure might take several months, it is critical to plan ahead of time and begin the process as soon as feasible. You must show confirmation of your academic status, such as admittance into a school or university, as well as financial resources to sustain yourself while studying in the United States.

Read Also: How to Earn Money on F2 Visa

You will also need to pass a medical exam and an interview with a consular officer. It’s also worth noting that you’ll need to keep your J2 status while your F1 application is being processed. If your F1 visa is denied, you must return to your home country before your J2 visa expires. If you have any queries or require additional information, you should contact USCIS directly. They can provide extensive information on the requirements and process of switching from a J2 visa to an F1 visa.

If you are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status for a reason other than to attend school and wish to change your nonimmigrant status to student status while remaining in the United States, you must meet the conditions below and file a change of status application with USCIS.

In general, you may seek to modify your nonimmigrant status while still in the United States if you meet the following criteria:

• You were lawfully admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant status;
• Your nonimmigrant status remains valid;
• You have not violated the conditions of your status; and
• You have not committed any crimes or engaged in any other actions that would make you ineligible for change of status.

Until you receive notice of approval from USCIS, do not assume the requested status has been approved. Before USCIS may approve your application, you must take the following steps: 

• Apply to and receive acceptance from a U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school.
• Obtain an initial Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, from the SEVP-certified school. The Designated School Official (DSO) should give change of status in the Issue Reason section of the Form I-20.
• Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
• File a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS.

Not all nonimmigrant classifications are allowed to change to student status. Read the Form I-539 instructions carefully to ensure that your category is eligible.

Please visit the Department of State Travel page for more information on consular processing. Please see the ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program page or the DHS Study in the States page for more information on SEVP.