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 Maryland, as in all states across the United States, the issuance of visas, including those for dependents of various visa holders, is governed by federal law and regulations, not state statutes. The U.S. Department of State oversees the visa process. For example, the J-2 Visa is available 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 this case, the J-1 exchange visitor) in the U.S. The eligibility for a dependent visa depends on the primary visa category. While many nonimmigrant visa categories, such as F, H, and L visas, have corresponding dependent visas (F-2, H-4, and L-2, respectively), some visa categories do not provide for dependent status. 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 rights associated with each type of dependent visa.