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 California, as in all states, the issuance of visas is governed by federal immigration law, not state law. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for visa issuance. For spouses, unmarried minor children, and sometimes dependent parents of individuals holding certain types of visas, there are corresponding dependent visas available. The J-2 Visa is an example of a nonimmigrant visa for dependents of J-1 exchange visitors. This allows them to accompany or join the J-1 Visa holder in the United States. While many nonimmigrant visa categories offer derivative visas for dependents, some do not. The availability of a dependent visa depends on the primary visa type and is subject to the regulations of the specific visa category. It's important for individuals to consult with an attorney or the U.S. Department of State's resources to understand the options and requirements for dependent visas.