Can a J-2 visa holder enter the United States?
A J-2 may enter the United States along with their J-1 spouse or parent or join the J-1 while participating in their exchange program in the United States.
What are the limitations of the J-2 visa?
What are the limitations of the J-2 Visa? You are dependent upon the status of the principal J-1 holder and are only able to apply for a work permit after arriving in the United States. How long can I stay in the United States on a J-2 Visa?
Can a J-1 visa holder apply for a work permit?
You are dependent upon the status of the principal J-1 holder and are only able to apply for a work permit after arriving in the United States. How long can I stay in the United States on a J-2 Visa? You may remain in the United States as long as the principal J-1 Visa holder has valid J-1 status.
Can a student visa holder apply for an F2 visa?
If your student visa is still valid, but you are outside the United States, you should consult with your Designated School Officials. Your spouse and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with you during your study may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas.
Can J-2 Visa holder study?
Yes, J-2 dependents are eligible for part-time or full-time study at every level of education. However, Berkeley International Office recommends that a J-2 visitor who plans to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate degree speak with an adviser about the benefits of changing status to a student visa.
Can J-2 go to college?
J-2 Dependents may enroll in university courses and in public primary and secondary schools. However, if a J-2 dependent intends on enrolling in a degree-seeking program as a full-time student, the student may have to seek a change of immigration status to an F-1 student visa.
What can you do with a J-2 Visa?
In most cases a J-2 Visa holder can seek employment. To work, a J-2 Visa holder must obtain an Employment Authorization Document from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Money earned by a J-2 cannot be used to support the principal J-1 Visa holder.
What is the difference between J-1 and J-2 Visa?
Many J-1 exchange visitors come to the United States with their families. The J-2 visa is for a dependent spouse or an unmarried child who is under the age of 21. J-2 status enables dependents to stay in the United States during the J-1 visitor's program.
Can I do residency on J-2 visa?
Yes you can do residency on J2,but you need to get an EAD along with J2.
Can you change from J-2 to J-1?
Generally J-1 and J-2 Exchange Visitors who are subject to the two-year home-country residence requirement are prohibited from changing status within the U.S., except to A or G status. It may be necessary to return home and apply for the new visa type there.
Can I change from J-2 to H1B?
J-2 Can Obtain Other Status by Consular Processing It means that they cannot transition to a status other than H-4 from within the United States. They can avail themselves of other status options, including H1B, through the consular processing option once the primary spouse is granted a waiver.
Is j2 visa multiple entry?
The J-2 Visa allows you to enter the U.S. when you present it with your DS-2019 Form at U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival. You cannot obtain a J-2 Visa stamp within the U.S.; it must be obtained in your home country. It is generally valid for one, two, or multiple entries into the U.S.
Does J-2 pay SEVIS fee?
The SEVIS fee is in addition to any visa fees you may be required to pay at a U.S. consulate. F-2 and J-2 dependent family members are not required to pay the fee.
How long does J-2 visa take?
However, a general time frame for how long it takes to process the J-2 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 J-2 visa or not in 30 days time.
Can J-2 visa apply for SSN?
In order to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) and card, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires J-2 dependents to provide proof of valid J-2 status and work authorization. A J-2 may apply for an SSN if they hold a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Can j1 visa apply for green card?
Technically, J-1 visa holders are not eligible for the U.S. green card. In order to obtain a J-1 visa, you need to demonstrate that you have ties to your home country (such as family or assets) and that you fully intend to return once your J-1 stint has ended.
My child is studying in the U.S. and I would like to visit him/her. What visa do I need?
If you are a parent or sibling and therefore do not qualify as an immediate relative, you can still visit your family member in the United States b...
Can people who have returned to the home country to satisfy their 2-year residency requirement visit the U.S. during that time?
If you were an exchange visitor or a dependent of an exchange visitor who must return to their home country in order to satisfy the 2-year residenc...
If my spouse applied for a 2-year home residency waiver, do I need to apply for a waiver as well for my J2 visa?
Since the J2 visa is dependent and directly tied to the J1 visa, you do not to apply for a waiver as well. All waivers granted to J1 applicants als...
Who is eligible?
Eligibility for a J-2 Visa depends on the specific exchange program being offered to the J-1 non-immigrant by a sponsor organizations. The exchange categories of au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student and summer work travel do not permit J-2 Visas.
How can I apply?
The application procedure is the same as that for a primary visa applicant. The sponsor must approve the accompaniment of the spouse and/or children who will each be issued their own Form DS-2019.
Common Questions
In most cases a J-2 Visa holder can seek employment. To work, a J-2 Visa holder must obtain an Employment Authorization Document from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Money earned by a J-2 cannot be used to support the principal J-1 Visa holder.
What is a J2 Visa?
The J2 visa is a non-immigrant visa for the dependents of a J1 visa holder (Exchange visitor). Under this visa, immediate relatives (spouse and children under 21 years old) are able to join their spouse or parent in the U.S. while they complete their program.
How to apply for a J2 Visa?
Acquiring a J2 visa will depend on the type of program the J1 visa holder is enrolled in. For example, if they are in a program that does not allow a dependents visa, such as au pair or camp counselor, they are ineligible to apply for a J2 visa. Furthermore, eligible J1 visa holders who wish to have their immediate family members join them in the U.S. while completing their program must have their employer agree to sponsor the J2 visa petition.
What is the 2-year home residence requirement?
Under this requirement, the exchange visitor must return to their home country after their program ends and live there for at least 2 years before applying for another visa.
How long is the J2 visa valid?
If a visa extension is approved for a J1 visa, the J2 visa is then also eligible for a visa extension. If an exchange visitor must return to their home country to satisfy a 2-year residency requirement, the J2 visa holder must also do the same.
Can you study in the U.S. on a J2 Visa?
In addition to being able to work in the United States with an employment permit, J2 visa holders can also enroll in academic programs without having to file for an F1 visa. These programs can be either recreational or in the effort to obtain a degree.
What should be stated in a J-2 visa?
When you got the J-2 visa, the J-1 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 J-1 person. The statement should also contain information about the J-1 person, including their category, sponsor details, and salary or stipend.
How long is a J2 visa valid?
This means that your J-2 visa is valid as long as the J-1 visa is valid too. If your spouse with a J-1 has a visa valid for 2 years, your J-2 visa will be valid for the same time.
How long do you have to stay in your home country for a J-1 visa?
Since most J-1 visas have a two year home residency requirement, the same applies to their dependents too. So if your spouse has that requirement, your J-2 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 can J2 holders do?
One of the most important things that J-2 visa holders are allowed to do while in the country is seek employment in the U.S. They can do so by getting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). They can get the EAD only after they have arrived in the U.S.
How long does it take to get a J2 visa?
However, a general time frame for how long it takes to process the J-2 visa is around 30 days or 1 month. So from the time you submit your application to the U.S Embassy, you can expect a response regarding whether you got the J-2 visa or not in 30 days time.
Can I change my J-2 visa status?
Some J-2 visa holders want to change status to another 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, such as an H-1B visa and apply for it. In that case, your employer needs to file your Form I-129 so that you are allowed to start employment.
Is a J-2 visa the same as a J-1?
The J-2 visa application is similar to the J-1 visa application. If the J-1 sponsor allows them to bring dependents, they will issue them a separate DS-2019 form. With that form the J-2 application procedure is as follows:
What is the J-2 Visa?
J2 Visas are designated for spouses and minor children of J1 Visa holders. J1 Visas are for Exchange Visitors. J2 Visa holders are dependent on the J1 Visa holder’s status. If their status ends, so does the J2 Visa eligibility.
How can I apply for the J2 Visa?
Similarly to the first step in obtaining a J1 Visa, spouses or dependents of the J1 visa applicant must get their own Form DS 2019 from a sponsor program to start the application process. For more details on finding the right sponsor program, please visit the official J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Program site.
Other J2 Visa Benefits
In addition to the ability to accompany a J1 Visa spouse while he or she is in a sponsored exchange program, J2 Visas also grant the following privileges:
Where to apply for a student visa?
After you receive the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa. You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.
What happens after a visa interview?
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
What is a B visa?
After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.
How far in advance can you get a student visa?
New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.
What documents do consular officers need to interview you for a student visa?
A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: Your academic preparation, such as: Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and. Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
How long can I study on an I-20?
The length of study indicated on the Form I-20 must be limited to 12 months. It should be noted that public secondary attendance in a status other than F-1 does not count against the 12-month limit. For example, if you were the child of an A-2 visa holder previously attending secondary school, this would not count toward the 12 month limit.
Do foreign students have to pay for secondary school?
Students Must Pay the Costs of Secondary School Education. Foreign students who want to attend public secondary school (high school) must pay the full cost of education. This amount is listed under "tuition" on the student's Form I-20.
Can a dependent attend school on a F-1 visa?
Dependents of a nonimmigrant visa holder of any type, including F-1, are not prohibited from attendance at either a public primary school, an adult education program, or another public educational institution, as appropriate. ALL / ALL /.
Can a foreign student live in the US?
Foreign students may come to the United States to live with U.S. citizen relative s while attending public school. The child is limited to twelve months of study in secondary school (high school). The child may not study in elementary school. It should be noted however, that the student's status as a resident of the school district and the fact that the U.S. citizen has paid local property/school taxes is irrelevant and does not fulfill the cost reimbursement requirement of Section 214 (m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Therefore, the full tuition costs must be paid to the school or school district.
Do F-1 students have to pay for school?
F-1 secondary school students are required to pay the school the full cost of education by repaying the school system for the full, unsubsidized, per capita cost of providing the education to him or her. F-1 students are prohibited from attending public elementary schools or publicly-funded adult education programs. ALL / ALL /.
Does the F-1 visa law apply to other students?
No. The law affects only students in F-1 status, or applicants for F-1 visas, who plan to attend public schools or publicly funded adult education. The law does not affect other students, such as children of exchange visitors, diplomats or foreign workers.
