The spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of individuals in J-1 status are eligible for J-2 status. Only the spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 will be issued Form DS-2019 to support J-2 status. If you will have eligible family members traveling with you when you initially arrive to begin your program at UVA, you will need to include their information when coordinating the visa request through your host department.

Adding J-2 dependents after arrival in the US

You may bring J-2 dependents to the US after you have already arrived and started your program. The J-2 Request form must be completed through ISSP Connect and submitted along with the following supplemental documents:

• proof of financial support in the amount of $500 per person per month for the duration of the J-1's program (in addition to the amount required for the support of the J-1)
• copy of passport ID page for each applicant
• proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of the J-1's program for each applicant

In addition, the ISO assesses a $200 per person administrative processing fee for the addition of any J-2 dependents. The fee is charged directly to your host department. The host department must provide the billing code for this charge.

The J-2 status of spouses and children depends on the J-1 status of the parent or spouse. If the parent or spouse is not in status, his or her family is not in status. J-2 spouses and children must also ensure that they maintain a valid passport, valid Form DS-2019 and appropriate health insurance coverage. 

Dependents eligible for J-2 status may apply for a J-2 visa stamp with their J-1 spouse or parent. Most consulates will schedule J-1 and J-2 visa applications at the same time, but it is important that consulates are informed that there will be accompanying J-2 applicants at the time that a visa application interview is scheduled. 

Dependents may enter the US with a J-2 visa either at the same time as the J-1 or sometime later as long as they have the valid J-2 DS-2019 form and a valid visa stamp.

PLEASE NOTE! As dependents, J-2 dependents have no status of their own! Your J-2 dependent’s status is dependent on the validity of your J-1 status. This means your J-2 dependents may not enter the U.S. before you do. Further, your J-2 dependent’s status ends when your status ends. Your J-2 dependents may not remain in the U.S. when your J-1 status expires and you have returned to your home country.

In practice, it should not be a problem for your dependents if you go abroad alone for a brief (one month or less) trip, leaving them behind in the U.S. However, your dependent remains at risk until you return to the U.S. and resume your J-1 status.

Any J-2 dependent that will reach the age of 21 during the J-1 program will lose status on his or her 21st birthday. Please contact the ISO well in advance to discuss options.