How to Apply for a J2 Visa
- Schedule your appointment with the U.S. embassy. First, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with the U.S. embassy in your country. This is mandatory, except for Canadian citizens.
- Fill out and sign form DS-2019. From the embassy website, you have to download form DS-2019. ...
- Complete the J2 visa application and provide the relevant documents. In the portal itself, you will have to complete the visa application. ...
- Attend the interview. After the application process is completed, the embassy will call you to schedule an interview. ...
- Collect your J2 visa. If your application is granted, you’ll receive your J2 visa, and the consulate will put the visa sticker on your passport.
Can a J1 visa holder apply for a J2 visa?
VisaPro’s experienced immigration attorneys will prepare and file all the required documents for spouses and children of J1 visa holders applying for the J2 visa. Spouse and children of J1 visa holders who wish to visit the exchange visitor in the U.S.
What do I need to apply for a J-2 EAD card?
You will have to show them your passport, visa, Form I-94, Form DS-2019 (both J-1 and J-2), and your EAD. Since a J-2 visa is completely dependent on a J-1 visa, a J-2 EAD holder can work until the date printed on the EAD card or until the J-1 principal completes the exchange program, whichever is sooner.
How long does a J-2 visa last?
The J-2 visa allows you to visit the United States with the J-1 visa holder. Like other dependency visas, your J-2 visa lasts as long as the J-1 visa. Plus, any changes to the status of the J-1 visa holder can also lead to a change in status for the J-2 visa holder. There are no caps on the J-2 visa.
Can a J-1 visa holder apply for an EAD extension?
A J-2 EAD extension can be applied only as long as the J-1 holder maintains the status. If the J-1 visa holder discontinues the program or changes to another category, the J-2 work authorization will be invalid.
How do I apply for a J-2 visa?
Applying for the VisaStep 1: Make and attend your J-2 Visa appointment. ... Step 2: Review and sign your J-2 DS-2019 Form. ... Step 3: Complete your J-2 Visa application and gather the required documents and payment. ... Step 4: Apply and interview for your J-2 visa at your US Embassy/Consulate. ... Step 5: Receive your J-2 Visa.
How long does it take to get J-2 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 US Embassy, you can expect a response regarding whether you got the J-2 visa or not in 30 days time.
Does a J-2 visa require sponsorship?
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.
Who is principal applicant for J-2 visa?
Spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) who intend to reside with the principal applicant during the course of study may apply for a J2 visa. Although SEVIS fee payment is not required, the school must issue them an individual Form DS-2019, which is required to apply for their visas.
Can J-2 visa be rejected?
Reasons for denial of a visa include lack of proper documentation (such as lack of evidence of sufficient financial support), suspected excludability (such as criminal activity), or, most often, the inability to convince the consular officer that they will return to their home country after the authorized stay has ...
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.
Is marriage certificate required for J-2 visa?
A copy of the Form DS-2019 of the Principal Applicant. Photocopy of the principal applicant's valid visa, if applying separately. Original marriage certificate for spouse along with entire wedding photo album. Additionally, it would be helpful to provide genuine marriage proof.
Can J-2 visa be converted 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.
Can you convert J-2 to J-1?
Can I change my J2 Visa status to another Visa Status? A J-2 may be able to Change Status to another visa. However, the defining factor is whether the J-1 visas has a two-year home residency requirement, which this condition normally applies to J-2 dependents, and should always be considered.
Can J-2 dependents work?
J-2 dependents cannot begin work until they receive a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When you have your EAD, you can apply for a Social Security Number, which is also legally required to work in the United States.
Who are J-2 dependents?
J-2 dependents are defined as a spouse or an unmarried child under 21 years of age of a J-1 student. J-2 dependents remain in status as long as the student remains in valid J-1 status, and only until age 21 (if a dependent child).
Can J-2 Stay in US without J-1?
Also, should the J-1 principal be out of the US for more than 30 days at a time during the course of the program, the J-2 dependents cannot remain in the US without the J-1 principal. Although family members usually enter as J-2 dependents, they are not required to do so.
What is a J-2 visa?
What is the J-2 Visa? The J-2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by a consular official at a U.S. embassy or consulate for spouses and dependents (unmarried children under the age of 21) of J-1 exchange visitors who accompany or later join the J-1 holder in the United States.
Who is eligible?
The exchange categories of au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student and summer work travel do not permit J-2 Visas. In addition, although some categories allow for spouses and/or dependents to ac company a J-1 Visa holder, there are specific programs that do not.
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:
What is a J2 visa?
What Is the J2 Visa? The J2 visa is a dependent visa issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). It is a specific visa issued to spouses and dependents of J1 exchange visitors. These people may go on to accompany or ultimately join the J1 visa holder in the United States.
How long can a J2 visa last?
So if their program is going to last for two years , then the J2 visa holder may apply for the full two years of duration, if not less.
What happens if a J1 visa expires?
You are dependent on the status of the J1 visa holder. If it expires or is withdrawn, then it directly affects your status.
Can a J2 visa be used for work?
Fortunately, a J2 visa allows such individuals to contribute and earn a living for themselves. This is contrary to the B2 visa, which prohibits them from obtaining employment.
Can spouses get a visa?
Spouses are given preference for this visa and are immediately made eligible.
Can DS-2019 be rejected?
When filing immigrant-related applications like form DS-2019, you shouldn’t shy away from seeking professional help wherever necessary. A small error may result in the rejection of your application.
Can a J2 Visa Holder Study in the U.S.?
J2 dependent visa holders can also study in the U.S. if they want to. For this, you’re not required to have a separate F1 visa, which is issued to foreign students. Both full-time and part-time courses are allowed, and you can enroll irrespective of whether it’s recreational or a degree-granting course.
What is a J-2 visa?
The J-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa designed specifically for the dependents of J-1 visa holders.
How Long Does My J-2 Visa Last?
The J-2 visa is a dependency visa, which means its validity typically extends as long as the J-1 holder’s visa.
Can I Work with a J-2 Visa? How Does the J-2 EAD Work?
J-2 visa holders are permitted to work in the United States, although they must first receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The EAD is available only after the J-2 visa holder has arrived in the United States.
How to complete DS-160 form?
You can complete the form online by visiting the website of your local U.S. embassy or consulate. Once the form is complete, you will receive a confirmation document and barcode.
Can a J-1 visa holder get a green card?
The primary way in which a J-2 visa holder gets a green card is if the J-1 visa holder gets a green card. In that case, you will be eligible to apply for a green card as a J-2 visa holder.
Can a J-2 visa be used for a non-immigrant?
Generally, the following two groups of people will qualify for a J-2 visa to enter the United States as a non-immigrant: The spouse of a J-1 visa holder. The unmarried children under 21 years of age of a J-1 visa holder. Generally, if your parent or spouse is visiting the United States on a J-1 visa, then you may qualify for a J-2 visa.
Can a J-2 visa be capped?
There are no caps on the J-2 visa. Additionally, a J-2 visa holder can enter and leave the United States any time (although they must arrive with or after the J-1 visa holder).
Who gets the waiver for J-1 visa?
The primary applicant on J-1 visa gets the waiver, and the dependents on J-2 visa also automatically get the waiver.
How old do you have to be to get a J-2?
J-2 child reaches age 21: Attach a copy of your birth certificate if you are a J-2 child age 21 or over. You should also submit a statement explaining: why you are applying for a waiver and your J-1 spouse/parent is not. why your situation merits special consideration.
What happens if a J-1 visa holder discontinues the program or changes to another category?
If the J-1 visa holder discontinues the program or changes to another category, the J-2 work authorization will be invalid.
How to check USCIS?
The USCIS may ask to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, make a copy of everything you send as well. If you are sending the application by postal mail, make sure to send it by means that you can track, such as through “certified mail with a return receipt requested”.
Can I get my SSN if I have an EAD?
Once you get your EAD approved, you can apply for a SSN. You will have to show them your passport, visa, Form I-94, Form DS-2019 (both J-1 and J-2), and your EAD.
Can Canadians send IAP-66?
visas, and Form I-94 for both the J-1 and J-2 holders. Canadians may not have the visa stamp. Do not send any originals.
Can a J-2 EAD work on campus?
Some jobs are reserved only for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. J-2 EAD holders can even work on-campus (of a J-1 holder) as long they have a valid EAD.