Visas may be issued to the spouse, unmarried minor children, and sometimes the parents (if dependents) of a person with a corresponding visa type. For example, the J-2 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by a consular official at a U.S. embassy or consulate for spouses and dependents of J-1 exchange visitors who accompany or later join the J-1 Visa holder in the United States.
Many classes of visas have their own dependent visa, but others do not.
In Arkansas, as in all other U.S. states, the issuance of visas is governed by federal law, not state statutes. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for visa policies and procedures. For individuals holding certain types of visas, such as the J-1 Visa for exchange visitors, there are corresponding dependent visas available for their family members. The J-2 Visa is specifically for the spouse and unmarried minor children under the age of 21 of a J-1 Visa holder. These dependent visas allow family members to accompany or join the primary visa holder in the U.S. The eligibility for a dependent visa depends on the primary visa category. While many nonimmigrant visa categories offer dependent visas, some do not. It is important for individuals to consult with an attorney or the U.S. Department of State's resources to understand the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a dependent visa.