This announcement is ONLY for F-1 students and their F-2 dependents: (June 11, 2015)
Great news! ISSS is happy to announce a recent change to the regulation regarding F-2 dependent’s eligibility to study in the U.S. The following is a summary of the new rule and this is effective immediately.
- F-2 Post-secondary study at a SEVIS-certified school (e.g. community college, university)
a. F-2 spouses are permitted to be engaged in study, degree or non-degree & credit or non-credit, as long as it is part-time (less than a full-time course load). Pursuant to respective regulations, full-time is defined at UConn as:
- Study at the undergraduate level = 12 credits per semester
- Study at the graduate level = 9 credits per semester
- Study at the professional level = varied, confirm with ISSS
- UCAELI (ESL study) = 18 hours per week
- Study during summer = Varied. Contact an ISSS advisor to learn the full-time definition for a particular summer session in which the F-2 visa holder wishes to enroll
If study by the F-2 takes place at a school other than UConn, including UConn Health Center, the F-2 must confirm with a Designated School Official (DSO) at the attending school, in writing, their full-time definition(s) to avoid any status violation.
b. F-2 dependents must NOT pursue full-time study at post-secondary institutions. If the F-2 wishes to study on a full-time basis, s/he must change his/her status to F-1 and full-time study can begin only after obtaining F-1 status. If the F-2 is engaged in full-time study, s/he is considered to have violated F-2 status and is subject to SEVIS termination. If the F-2 wishes to change status to F-1 to study at UConn, please contact ISSS for guidance.
- F-2 children are allowed to study at elementary and secondary study even on a full-time basis (kindergarten through twelfth grade).
- F-2 dependents are NOT permitted to be engaged in employment, including practical training. If an academic program in which the F-2 enrolls requires internships or practicums for the program, s/he will need to change his/her status to F-1 and comply with all F-1 regulations, including full-time enrollment.
Please note that these are brand new rules, which still require further detailed guidance from the government. This means that all advice and information provided by ISSS regarding F-2 study is subject to change upon future guidance releases.
Should you have any questions, please contact ISSS.
Happy Summer!