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 Colorado, as in all states across the United 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 spouses, unmarried minor children, and sometimes dependent parents of individuals with certain types of visas, derivative visas are available. The J-2 Visa is an example of a derivative visa for dependents of J-1 exchange visitors. This allows them to accompany or join the J-1 Visa holder in the U.S. While many nonimmigrant visa categories offer corresponding dependent visas, some do not. It is important for individuals to consult with an attorney or check the specific visa category requirements to understand the options for dependents.