Skip to main content

J-2 Dependents

Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) who accompany the primary visa holder to the U.S. may receive J-2 dependent status. To enter the U.S. as a J-2 dependent, each dependent must have a DS-2019 and a J-2 visa.

Their eligibility to stay legally in the U.S., as well as to extend their stay, is contingent upon the primary visa holder maintaining his/her legal status and extending his/her program in a timely manner.

All other family members must apply for a B-1 or B-2 visitor's visa to gain entry to the U.S. For more information on B-1/B-2 visitor visas for other family members, refer to Family Visitors to the U.S. 

Documents Required to Apply for a J-2 Visa

  • Valid passport
  • Photographs
  • J-2 dependent DS-2019
  • Visa application fee
  • Visa application forms
  • Supporting documentation including copies of the spouse's J-1 immigration documents, proof of study or program at U-M, and financial documentation.

Important information about J-2 Status

The status of the J-2 may be extended when the J-1’s program and DS-2019 is extended.

A J-2 may not be admitted for longer than the J-1. After the program completion date on the Form DS-2019, the J-1 and the J-2s may stay in the U.S. for an additional period of 30 days; this is called the grace period. During the grace period you may travel within the U.S but may not work or re-enter the US in J-1/J-2 status.

Once the J-1 has completed his or her program and left the U.S., the J-2 dependents must leave as well.

Immigration regulations require that all J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents be covered by health insurance while participating in the exchange visitor program.

Dependent children over age 21 are no longer eligible for J-2 status and will need to change to another status such as F-1 (for full time students) if they wish to stay in the U.S.

Study 

Currently there are no regulatory restrictions on study for J-2 dependents.

Employment

J-2 employment may be authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for the duration of the J-1 principal's authorized stay as indicated on Form I-94 and Form DS-2019 or a period of four years, whichever is shorter. However, most commonly, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued for a 12-month period and has to be renewed once a year. For information about U-M's policies on volunteer work, see U-M Volunteer Guidelines.

After obtaining the EAD, the J-2 spouse may apply for a Social Security Number and will be subject to federal and local income tax.

J-2 Employment Authorization Document

J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for permission to work from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by submitting a Form I-765. If approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The J-2 dependent may begin employment only after receiving the EAD card.

The regulation states that employment may not be granted when the earnings are to be used to support the J-1 visa holder. Rather, the earnings must be used for the “Family's customary recreational and cultural activities and those related travel”. Source: [8CFR 21A.2(j)(1) (v) (A)]

Required Documents
  • G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
  • USCIS Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization – Mark (c) (5) on item #16. Make sure you sign the form clearly and do not date until you are ready to mail your documents.
  • Submit the appropriate fee. (Please check on the USCIS web site for the latest version of the form and the base fee.)
  • Two (2) photos meeting the specifications noted on Form I-765 instructions. Write your name and I-94 number on the back of the photos with a pencil.
  • Photocopies of the passport’s personal data page, photo page, and visa page.
  • A photocopy of the J-1 visa holder's paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94 (please click on the link for instructions) and Form DS- 2019.
  • A photocopy of the J-2 visa holder's paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94 (please click on the link for instructions) and Form DS-2019.
  • A written statement explaining that the J-2 employment is not necessary to support the J-1, but will be used for the needs of the J-2. We recommend that your statement include the following sentence: “The income derived from the desired employment will be used to support myself in cultural and recreational activities and not my J-1 spouse”.
Submitting the EAD Application to USCIS

Refer to the USCIS I-765 instructions for the correct USCIS mailing address. The address you use on the I-765 will determine which USCIS service center you mail the application. The International Center does not recommend using the e-file option.

  • Within 2-3 weeks you should receive a notice confirming that your application has been received and informing you approximately how long the processing period is likely to be. You will receive a case number, which you may use to check updated information on the status of your application on the USCIS web site.
  • After your application has been processed, you will receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD card). You can then take the card to a Social Security Administration Office and apply for a Social Security card. In Ann Arbor, the Social Security Administration office is located at 3971 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

Your EAD card is only valid during the dates listed on the card. To work past these dates, you must re-apply, including a copy of your current EAD card (front and back) with the application.