F-2
- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prohibits those in F-2 status from studying full-time at the post-secondary level.
- Regulations for F-2's do allow part-time study that is “avocational or recreational in nature.”
- Please check with GEO if you are considering enrolling in classes as a spouse or child of an international student.
- F-2 and H-4 status holders are not permitted to work in the US under any circumstances. However, many spouses on F-2, J-2 and H-4 visas find opportunities to enhance their career or personal objectives through volunteer work. If you are interested in volunteering in a specific field, you should research organizations in Albuquerque that provide services in that field and approach the organization(s) to ask if you can volunteer. If you would like to speak with someone about looking for volunteer work, you are welcome to speak with an International Advisor at GEO at 277-4032.
J-2
- Those in J-2 status are not prohibited from full-time study at the post-secondary level.
- Those in J-2 status may apply to USCIS for limited work permission, but processing times may be lengthy and permission is not guaranteed.
- Please speak with an advisor at GEO or pick up our handout for information on applying for J-2 work permission.
UNM Recreational Services
- This sponsored LOBO ID card allows spouses and partners to access UNM recreational services (pool, gym, and recreational non-credit classes).
- To obtain the card for a spouse or a partner, a student must be enrolled for the current academic term.
- Students who are not in full-time degree programs or exchanges must ask their department about getting a sponsored card for their spouse.
Conditions to obtain a card:
- Student and the spouse must be present to apply for the card.
- You must show proof of partnership in the form of a marriage certificate, shared bank account (both names on a check or statement), shared utility bill, rental lease, or a driver’s license showing the same address.
- The cost is $40.00 per semester (recreational non-credit classes, such as aerobics, are additional).
TIPS:
- To obtain the card you must first go to the Recreational Services office at the front entrance of Johnson Gym, fill out an application, show proof of partnership, and pay the $40 fee.
- Then go to the LOBO Card Office in the Student Union building, lower level (tel: 277-9970) to obtain the card. If you have questions call Recreational Services at 277-0178.
ESL Resources
CELAC
The Center for English Language and American Culture (CELAC) at UNM offers college preparatory language training at approximately $3,800 per semester for full-time study.
For more information, please visit the CELAC website at https://celac.unm.edu or inquire with us at GEO (2111 Mesa Vista Hall).
CNM ESL
If you are interested in Basic English, the local community college (Central New Mexico Community College) offers low to intermediate level English classes free of charge.
You can call them at 505.224.4282 or visit CNM English as a Second Language (ESL) for more information.
Local Community
Local Community, a local community group, also offers free English conversation classes every semester at the Baptist Student Union, 401 University Blvd. For more information, please email Joan Lasche at jlasche@isionline.org.
Official ID
SSN or ITIN
- Social Security numbers are not required for spouses living in the US unless they are given work permission (available for J-2's only).
- SSN's can only be issued to non-immigrants (those who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.) who have an official “need” for such numbers.
- Spouses on J-2 visas can only prove the need for a SSN if they have received work authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
- Since F-2 spouses are never permitted to work, they cannot receive a Social Security number.
Driver's License
- To apply for a driver’s license, a spouse must take his/her I-94 card/form, passport, I-20 or DS-2019 copy and Social Security card (if available) to the Motor Vehicle’s Division (MVD) office.
- In addition, they must take two documents as proof of residence in New Mexico. (link below) They should also take a translated and notarized version of their home country driver’s license if they have one (when applying for a NM license, not the ID).
- They will need to study the New Mexico Driver’s Manual, pass the written or computerized portion of the driver’s exam, take a vision screening test, and pass a road test.
- Once the individual has successfully completed all these steps, they will be granted the driver’s license. Note that MVD personnel are not well informed about requirements for non-immigrants who want to obtain their license.
Handouts:
GEO has a handout that lists the requirements and other details. It may help you to bring that handout with you and to ask for a supervisor if you have difficulty with the MVD staff person.
Health Insurance
Due to the high cost of health care in the US, health insurance is an absolute necessity for the whole family!
- International students are required by the university to have health insurance, but it is important to understand that you must also purchase additional insurance to cover the health needs of your family.
Not sure which plan to choose? GEO has information on health insurance plans.
- If you are a scholar or a student with a graduate assistantship, UNM does offer health insurance for spouses and children of international students and scholars at additional cost.
- If you have a graduate assistantship, you should check the UNM plan coverage and compare it to other plans in order to select the best option for your family’s needs.
- Please note that spouses and children cannot be seen at the Student Health and Counseling Center. So, you must select an outside physician for their needs.
If your spouse plans to take non-degree classes, this option will be cheaper for your family. However, be sure to check with GEO Advisors on current immigration regulation.
Enrolling Children in School
GEO has information on Albuquerque Public Schools including special programs for school-age children.
In the City of Albuquerque, children begin public school at the age of 5 and are assigned to schools according to their home address. To find out which school your child should attend, or for additional information, call Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) at 505.880.3700 or check the website at: http://ww2.aps.edu/. Parents should speak to APS if they want their child to attend a different school.
Documents required:
- Passport or Birth Certificate (the child must be 5 years old before September 1st in order to enroll for kindergarten).
- Current immunization record (a waiver can be obtained if you do not want your child to receive certain immunizations).
- Proof of residency (e.g. utility bill or a copy of a rental lease).
- You may also need to show proof of your identity and the current visa status of you and your child. This would include your passport (as well as that of the child) and immigration documents (I-20/DS-2019, visa and I-94). One parent may also need to provide a US social security number.
Call Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) at 505.880.3700 or check the APS website. Parents should speak to APS if they want their child to attend a different school.
Other Childcare Options
- Finding good care for younger children in the US can be difficult and expensive.
- While UNM does have a childcare center that is very high quality, the waiting list is extremely long and many families never get into the program.
- Those who meet income requirements may be able to get children ages 3 to 5 into “Head Start,” a publicly funded early childhood education program (there are a few Head Start programs for even younger children, but the waiting lists are extremely long). For more information about Head Start, call their administrative offices at 505.268.0024 to find out about a center near you.
- NM Kids Childcare Resource and Referral at 505.277.7900 helps families locate childcare centers and in-home childcare near their place of residence.
- You should think carefully about the kind of care you would like for your child and call them for a list of names and numbers in your area. Be sure to investigate the home or center carefully.
- The New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department keeps records and evaluations of licensed centers and home daycares that you can review upon request.
- In the near future, New Mexico will begin state-funded early childhood care. Check with APS about the status of these programs.
