How to obtain a J-2 US Visa? Am I eligible to apply for it? What requirements should I meet? If you have any questions regarding the J-2 US visa, you came across the right place. Keep reading to find out more about this visa.
The J-2 visa is a US non-immigrant visa type for dependents of J-1 visa holders, meaning that any change to the visa status or individual condition of J-1 visa holder also leads to changes to J-2 status.
It makes sense that a J-2 visa is valid as long as a J-1 visa is valid, in the same way as J-2 visa holders are eligible to apply for a visa extension if the J-1 visa holder applies for it too. Nevertheless, those J-2 applicants who don’t have a two year home residency requirement can change their visa status (e.g., from a J-2 visa to an H-1B visa or US Green Card).
Not every single J-1 visa holder is allowed to bring his or her family members to the US. This depends on the type of J-1 visa that you are applying for, since there exist many subgroups (e.g., J-1 visa for au-pairs, teachers, or camp counsellors). In part, this is not US government business, but the decision of your sponsor, which decides if J-1 visa holders are allowed to bring dependents with them or not.
As well as J-1 visas, J-2 visas have no cap, making unlimited the number of people who can receive such a visa.
Requirements to Apply for a J-2 US Visa
- Applicants are the spouse of a J-1 visa holder, meaning that you can only apply for a J-2 visa if you are married to him or her.
- Applicants are unmarried children under 21 years old of a J-1 visa holder.
- The J-1 visa sponsor allows applicants to bring family members to the US.
Benefits for J-2 US Visa Holders
Visa holders J 2 are entitled to:
- Enroll for university studies
- Travel in and out of the US
- Receive a driver license
- Open bank accounts
- Work under certain regulations and conditions
Can J-2 US Visa holders work in the US?
J-2 US visa holders can work in the US as long as they obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This can be done once you arrive in the US, not before.
However, it is recommended that applicants wait three or four months before trying to obtain an EAD, as the chances of getting your authorization approved increase notably. Consider that you will need to submit proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your first months’ expenses in the US during the application process. As a result, this action could alert the US officials, raising doubts about your financial situation.
If your EAD petition is approved, you can start working in the US either as a part-time or full-time worker, you will receive a Social Security Number (SSN) and will need to file taxes as any other US citizen.
How to Apply for a J-2 US Visa
To apply for a J-2 US visa, applicants need to follow the same procedures as J-1 visa applicants.
In case the J-1 visa sponsor accepts the company of family members in the US, J-2 visa applicants will receive Form DS-2019 too.
Once the J-1 sponsor issues J-2 visa applicants with this document you can start the application process as indicated below, following the guidelines of US authorities.
- File Form DS-160. This form needs to be submitted by every single non-immigrant visa applicant. It is needed to complete this process online. You can find this form available at the Consular Electronic Application Center Website.
- After filing the DS-160 form, you need to pay the J-2 visa fees ($160).
- Schedule a visa interview in the U.S. Embassy.
- Save your visa interview confirmation letter. Do not forget to bring it with you on the day of the interview.
- Attend your interview. You will need to go through different questions related to your financial situation or your relationship with the J-1 visa holder/applicant, among many others.
- Wait for a response. J-2 visa processing time may vary, but you should receive an answer whether your visa got approved or not in more or less than a month.
Be aware that, if your J-2 visa application has been accepted, you could never travel to the US before the J-1 visa holder. You could be in serious trouble!
Take also into consideration that you must submit the required documents when attending the U.S. Embassy, so it is highly recommended to start collecting them before scheduling your visa interview. Scroll down to learn what documents are required to apply for a J-2 visa.
Required Documents to Apply for a J-2 US Visa
Gather the different documentation before attending your visa interview:
- DS-160 form’s confirmation page.
- Visa interview confirmation letter.
- Valid passport of the applicant.
- Health insurance, which is sometimes provided by the J-1 visa sponsor to J-2 visa applicants as well.
- All SEVIS pages,
- A copy of the J-1 visa holder and your DS-2019 form
- Documents proving that you have sufficient economical means to cover daily living expenses in the US.
- In case the J-1 visa holder is an intern/trainee, it is needed to submit a copy of his/her DS-7002 form.
- If you’re the spouse of a J-1 visa holder, you must submit different documents proving you are married, such as a marriage certificate, wedding album, guest list, invitation cards, copy of the affidavit, etc.
- If you’re children of a J-1 visa holder, bring the birth certificate.
- US visa photo. Make sure your photo complies with the requirements that are established by the U.S. authorities or it will be denied. You can learn more about visa photos above.
US Visa Photo Requirements
Even though most biometric photos are quite similar, we always need to consider some particular requirements for each of them such as photo size, background color and so on. This is the reason why it is highly important to consider official guidelines before taking the right photo.
US visa photos need to comply with very specific guidelines or our photo can be rejected. Do not try to submit any photo! Your photo may be denied and you will need to repeat the application process once again.
