The J2 visa is US non-immigrant visa for dependent spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of a J1 visa holder. Since J2 visa holders are dependent on the status of the J1 person, so any changes to the J1 status will result in changes to the J2 status too.
J1 categories of au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student, and work and travel participants are not allowed to have J2 dependents.
J2 Visa Requirements
The requirements to qualify for a J2 visa are as follows:
- Be the spouse of an approved J1 visa holder
- Be the unmarried child under 21 years old of an approved J1 visa holder
- Be allowed to accompany the J1 visa holder from their sponsor or program
Many people who are in partnerships, but have not been married yet wonder whether they can accompany their J1 partner to the US. Unless you are married to the J1 visa holder and have genuine proof of marriage, you do not qualify for a J2 dependent visa.
Supporting Documents for a J2 Visa Application
To apply for a J2 visa, you need to collect the following documents:
- Your passport.
- Your DS-160 form barcode.
- Your interview confirmation letter.
- One US visa style photograph.
- All SEVIS pages and a copy of your DS-2019 form.
- A copy of the J1 visa holder’s DS-2019 form.
- If the J1 visa holder is an intern or trainee, also submit a copy of their DS-7002 form.
- Marriage certificate to prove you are married to the J1 visa holder.
- Wedding album and invitation cards.
- Wedding guest list.
- If married at the registrar, the copy of the affidavit, and pictures with marriage witnesses.
- Birth certificates of children.
- Proof of financial resources which show enough funds to cover expenses.
- Proof of health insurance. Some exchange programs provide health insurance to the J1 visa holder, and might also provide the insurance for J2 dependents too. If the J1 program sponsor does not provide valid health insurance coverage for J2 dependents, you will have to enroll in one yourself.
How to Apply for a J2 Visa?
The J2 visa application is similar to the J1 visa application. If the J1 sponsor allows them to bring dependents, they will issue them a separate DS-2019 form. With that form the J2 application procedure is as follows:
- Apply online by filing the DS-160 form.
- Pay the visa application fee of $185.
- Schedule an interview appointment and get the confirmation letter.
- Collect the required documents.
- Attend the interview where you will have J2 visa interview questions related to your intentions in the US, your relationship with the J1 visa holder, and financial situation.
The visa will allow you to depart for the US at the same time or after the J1 visa holder. However, you cannot depart for the US before the person who has the J1 visa.
J2 Visa Processing Time
The processing time for a J2 visa is different case by case. As US Embassies have different case loads, your visa might take more or less time to process. However, a general time frame for how long it takes to process the J2 visa is around 30 days or 1 month. So from the time you submit your application to the US Embassy, you can expect a response regarding whether you got the J2 visa or not in 30 days time.
J2 Visa Validity
Since you are a dependent of the J1 visa holder, the validity of your J2 visa is directly tied to theirs. This means that your J2 visa is valid as long as the J1 visa is valid too. If your spouse with a J1 has a visa valid for 2 years, your J2 visa will be valid for the same time.
If the J1 visa holder applies for a visa extension and is approved, you are also eligible to apply for an extension. When your extension is approved, you will get a new DS-2019 form.
Since most J1 visas have a two year home residency requirement, the same applies to their dependents too. So if your spouse has that requirement, your J2 visa is also dependent on that requirement. This means that after your visa expires, you will have to return to your home country and remain there for 2 years before you can apply for a similar visa, except for a visitor or tourist visa.
What Are J2 Visa Holders Allowed to Do?
J-2 visa holders are allowed to enroll in academic study, get a driver’s license, open bank accounts, travel in and out of the US anytime, as well as work under certain circumstances.
Can You Change the Status From a J2 Visa?
This is only possible if you don’t have a two year home residency requirement. You can find a job which makes you eligible for a different type of visa. In that case, your employer needs to file your Form I-129 so that you are allowed to start employment.
In addition, J2 visa holders are also eligible to apply for a Green Card. If the J1 person gets a Green Card, you as their dependent get it too. However, you can also apply yourself based on family or employment reasons.
Can I File for a J2 Visa Waiver?
If the J1 visa holder applies for a waiver based on acceptable reasons, you as their dependent do not need to file for a waiver too. The J2 visa waiver is automatically linked to the J1. When the US government grants a waiver to the J1, it applies to their dependents too.
However, you may file for a J2 visa waiver in some instances:
- If the J1 visa holder has died and you can provide a valid death certificate
- If you divorce the J1 visa holder and you provide valid divorce documents
- If you are the child of the J1 and reach 21 years old and provide a valid birth certificate
Besides these three instances, you also need to submit documents explaining why you are applying for a J2 visa waiver and the J1 person is not, and why you deserve to get the waiver.
Can You Work With a J2 Visa?
J2 visa holders can work in the United States as long as they get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
It is recommended to apply for the EAD three to four months after you have arrived in the US. This is because you have submitted proof to the US government that you have enough financial resources to cover your expenses in the first few months in the US. If you immediately apply for an EAD, then you will raise doubts about your financial situation.
To apply for the EAD, submit these documents:
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
- Copies of yours and the J1 holder’s DS-2019 forms, Forms I-94, and passports
- 2 photographs
- Your marriage certificate
- A statement about why you want to get the EAD – which should not state any financial necessity. When you got the J2 visa, the J1 person stated that they have enough financial resources to support you. Your reasons for getting an EAD should include travel, recreational, and cultural purposes. You cannot use your employment salary to supplement the income of the J1 person. The statement should also contain information about the J1 person, including their category, sponsor details, and salary or stipend.
- If you have already found employment, submit a letter from your employer confirming this and the fact that you will not use your salary to support the J1 visa holder
- You can request your EAD to be valid until the end of your stay in the US by writing the date of expiration found in your DS-2019 form in the EAD statement.
If you are granted the EAD, you can engage in part or full time work in the US. If your EAD expires before your DS-2019 expiration date, you can request extensions. As a person who is employed, you also get a Social Security Number (SSN) and are obliged to file taxes as per US laws.