J-2 Visa for family members
Bring your loved ones on your international journey. Explore opportunities for spouses and children to accompany J-1 visa holders.
What is a J-2 Visa?
Do you want to do an internship or training in the USA and take your spouse or children with you? If so, you need to apply for a J-2 visa on behalf of your family.
The J-2 Visa is a dependent visa that allows eligible family members of a J-1 Visa holder to accompany them to the United States for the same duration as the J-1 program.
J-2 Visa - Eligibility and Requirements
The J-2 Visa is available to eligible dependents of a J-1 Visa holder, including the legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age.
Please note that J-2 status ends when a dependent child turns 21. At that point, they must either depart the United States or apply for another eligible visa category (such as F-1, M-1, or J-1) if they wish to remain in the country.
Financial requirements
The J-1 Visa holder must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support accompanying family members during their stay in the United States. Approximately $2,000 per month is generally required for each J-2 Visa dependent for the entire duration of the program.
If the J-1 Visa holder’s income does not meet this requirement, additional proof of financial support may be provided, such as recent bank statements or a financial support letter from an immediate family member.
Work and Education
The J-2 Visa provides several benefits for family members accompanying a J-1 Visa holder. Children may attend a local school in the United States for the duration of the stay.
The J-2 spouse may also pursue studies or engage in part-time or full-time employment. To work in the United States, a J-2 Visa holder must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) to the relevant U.S. authorities after arrival.
Apply for your J-1 and J-2 Visas
J-2 dependents can be added directly to the J-1 applicant’s application. During the registration process, simply answer “Yes” to the question: “Will any dependents accompany you on your program in the U.S.?”
J-2 Visa Application
In the course of your J-1 online registration in the MyIntrax portal, you can register your J-2 family members.
In the “J2 Dependents” section, answer “Yes” to the question “Do you have any dependents?”
A J-2 dependent profile (accessible through your J-1 account) will then be created automatically.
This step can be completed either at the time of registration or at a later stage.
In addition to proof of financial resources, the following documents will be required:
A copy of the marriage certificate including an official English translation
A copy of each child’s birth certificate (including an official English translation)
Passport copies of each J-2 applicant (page with biographical data)
J-2 Visa Duration and Travel
The J-2 visa holder may not arrive prior to the J-1 intern or trainee. Also, the J-2 visa holder may not stay longer in the USA than the J-1 visa holder.
While on program, J-2 visa holders may travel within the USA as well as leave and enter the USA. There is no obligation to be accompanied by the J-1 intern or trainee for such travels. However, before the J-2 visa holder's first international trip, they need to request a DS-2019 with a travel validation from Intrax.
DS-2019 for each family member but one Embassy appointment
Intrax issues a DS-2019 form for each family member. Each J-2 applicant must apply for the J-2 visa at a U.S. Consulate. You each need to fill in the DS-160 form and pay the consular fee (185USD per applicant), but you should be able to schedule one embassy interview appointment for the entire family.