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 Michigan, as in all U.S. states, the issuance of visas falls under federal jurisdiction, not state law. The U.S. Department of State oversees visa policies, including those for dependents. The J-2 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for the dependents of J-1 Visa holders, which allows spouses and minor children to accompany or join the J-1 exchange visitor in the United States. Dependents may study, work (if they obtain an Employment Authorization Document), and travel in and out of the U.S. while under this status. Other visa categories, such as H, F, and L visas, also have corresponding visas for dependents. However, not all visa classes provide options for dependents. The specific eligibility and application procedures for dependent visas are determined by federal immigration laws and regulations, and applicants must apply through a U.S. embassy or consulate, typically in their home country.