United States•North America

Open

J-2 — Dependent of J-1

Residency Pathway

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 5 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

$185–$705 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Duration of J-1 principal's program + 30-day grace period

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Spouse or unmarried child (under 21) of a J-1 visa holder. May apply for employment authorization.

The J-2 is the US dependent visa for spouses and children under 21 of J-1 exchange visitors, letting families accompany exchange participants for the program duration.

Status runs with the J-1 plus a 30-day grace. Dependents may get an EAD (I-765, $520) to work unrestricted; earnings cannot support the J-1. MRV: $185.

This visa is ideal for the immediate family of a J-1 exchange visitor who want to live together in the US, with the option to work independently.

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Cost Breakdown

MRV (visa application) fee$185 USD

EAD (Form I-765) — work authorization after arrival$520 USD

optional

Visa issuance/reciprocity fee—

Total$185–$705 USD

Processing Time

Consular processing (visa stamp)	2 weeks – 3 months
EAD (Form I-765, after arrival)	1–5 months

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Tied to program duration

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be the spouse or unmarried child under age 21 of an active J-1 exchange visitor

J-1 sponsor must approve the dependent and issue a separate DS-2019 for each J-2

J-1 program category must permit dependents (au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student, and summer work travel programs exclude J-2s)

Must meet standard nonimmigrant admissibility requirements

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (6+ months beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page

Separate DS-2019 issued by J-1's program sponsor

Copy of J-1 principal's DS-2019 and visa

Proof of relationship to J-1 (marriage certificate for spouse; birth certificate for children)

MRV fee payment receipt

U.S. visa photo meeting requirements

Evidence of ties to home country (consulate-dependent)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows spouse and minor children to reside in the U.S. for the full duration of the J-1 program
Minor children may attend U.S. public or private schools without a separate F-1 visa
Qualifying to obtain unrestricted open-market work authorization (EAD) via Form I-765
EAD is not employer-specific — can work for any U.S. employer in any lawful occupation
No annual numerical cap or lottery
Same-sex spouses treated identically to opposite-sex spouses

Worth Knowing

Status is entirely dependent on the J-1 principal — if the J-1 terminates or falls out of status, J-2 status is also affected
Not available for J-1 program categories: au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student, summer work travel
Subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement (INA 212(e)) if the J-1 principal is subject to it, blocking adjustment to permanent residence or change to H/L status
J-2 income cannot be used to financially support the J-1 principal (22 CFR 62.31(l))
EAD must be obtained before working — there is no automatic work authorization upon entry
EAD processing currently takes 1–5 months, creating a gap between arrival and work qualification
EAD must be renewed annually via a new I-765 filing
Subject to J-1 holder's 212(e) requirement

Application Process

J-1 sponsor issues a separate Form DS-2019 for each J-2 dependent

Complete Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) at ceac.state.gov

Pay $185 MRV fee (waived for U.S. government-sponsored programs)

Schedule and attend visa interview at nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Upon arrival, I-94 is generated electronically recording J-2 status

Optionally file Form I-765 with USCIS ($520) to obtain an EAD if intending to work

Application Forms

Go to application portal

DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
DS-2019 Certificate of qualification for Exchange Visitor Status	Fill online
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization	Fill online
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status	Fill online

Verified Claims (39)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Application Steps

J-1 sponsor issues a separate Form DS-2019 for each J-2 dependent; Complete Form DS-160 (Online Noni…

j1visa.state.gov

Blockers

Subject to J-1 holder's 212(e) requirement

j1visa.state.gov

Can Convert To

—

j1visa.state.gov

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Spouse or unmarried child (under 21) of a J-1 visa holder. May apply for employment authorization.

The J-2 is the US dependent visa for spouses and children under 21 of J-1 exchange visitors, letting families accompany exchange participants for the program duration.

Status runs with the J-1 plus a 30-day grace. Dependents may get an EAD (I-765, $520) to work unrestricted; earnings cannot support the J-1. MRV: $185.

This visa is ideal for the immediate family of a J-1 exchange visitor who want to live together in the US, with the option to work independently.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be the spouse or unmarried child under age 21 of an active J-1 exchange visitor

J-1 sponsor must approve the dependent and issue a separate DS-2019 for each J-2

J-1 program category must permit dependents (au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student, and summer work travel programs exclude J-2s)

Must meet standard nonimmigrant admissibility requirements

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (6+ months beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page

Separate DS-2019 issued by J-1's program sponsor

Copy of J-1 principal's DS-2019 and visa

Proof of relationship to J-1 (marriage certificate for spouse; birth certificate for children)

MRV fee payment receipt

U.S. visa photo meeting requirements

Evidence of ties to home country (consulate-dependent)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows spouse and minor children to reside in the U.S. for the full duration of the J-1 program
Minor children may attend U.S. public or private schools without a separate F-1 visa
Qualifying to obtain unrestricted open-market work authorization (EAD) via Form I-765
EAD is not employer-specific — can work for any U.S. employer in any lawful occupation
No annual numerical cap or lottery
Same-sex spouses treated identically to opposite-sex spouses

Worth Knowing

Status is entirely dependent on the J-1 principal — if the J-1 terminates or falls out of status, J-2 status is also affected
Not available for J-1 program categories: au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student, summer work travel
Subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement (INA 212(e)) if the J-1 principal is subject to it, blocking adjustment to permanent residence or change to H/L status
J-2 income cannot be used to financially support the J-1 principal (22 CFR 62.31(l))
EAD must be obtained before working — there is no automatic work authorization upon entry
EAD processing currently takes 1–5 months, creating a gap between arrival and work qualification
EAD must be renewed annually via a new I-765 filing
Subject to J-1 holder's 212(e) requirement

Application Process