This email is ONLY for F-1 students and their F-2 dependents.

 

 

Dear F-1 International Students:

 

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.

 

1.       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.

 

2.       F-2 children are allowed to study at elementary and secondary study even on a full-time basis (kindergarten through twelfth grade).

 

3.       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!

 

ISSS

 

 

UConn Global Affairs
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
McMahon Hall, 2011 Hillside Rd., U-1083
Storrs, CT 06269-1083
Phone:  860-486-3855
Fax:  860-486-5800

ISSS Summer Office Hours (5/12/2015-8/21/2015):

Monday-Friday  9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00-4:00pm EST (12:00-1:00pm EST closed)