J2 Dependents — Spouse and Children

Bringing Dependents To Accompany You In The United States

While you are in J-1 status in the United States, your dependents may accompany you in J-2 status. Following is general information regarding how you may bring them to the United States.

Who Is A "Dependent"?

For immigration purposes, someone may only be considered your "dependent" if they are your spouse (including a same-gender spouse) or your unmarried child (including stepchildren or adopted children) under the age of 21. Parents, siblings, nieces/nephews/cousins/etc. cannot be issued visa documents as your J-2 dependents, unless you have been granted legal parental (or similar) rights over them by the appropriate court and/or government authority in your country (you must document proof of these rights). If you are bringing a child to the United States as a J-2 dependent, you are responsible for ensuring that you have any and all necessary permissions from your home country to remove the child from that country.

How Do I Obtain Visa Documents For My Dependents?

To obtain Forms DS-2019 for your dependents, you must provide International Students and Scholars with the following documents (if your J-1 program sponsor is not the University of Arkansas, you must consult your J-1 program sponsor for instructions):

  • A copy of each dependent's passport identification page (the page of the passport including photo, full legal name, date of birth, etc.)
  • For a spouse: A copy of the marriage certificate, including English translation if certificate not originally issued in English
  • For each child: A copy of the birth certificate or documentation showing legal custody and parental/similar relationship to the child
  • Proof of adequate financial support for yourself and any dependents accompanying you (consult your ISS advisor to verify the current minimum funding amounts required)

How Do My Dependents Obtain Visas?

Once your dependents have been issued the appropriate Forms DS-2019, they must apply for J-2 visa stamps at a U.S. consulate. They must pay the appropriate visa application fees and submit all documentation required by the U.S. consulate for the application. Unlike you, however, they are not required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.

For an overview of the visa application process and general requirements, please see the U.S. Visas website.