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 the state of Minnesota, as in all states across the United States, the issuance of visas falls under federal jurisdiction and is therefore governed by federal law, not state statutes. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for visa policies and procedures. For individuals holding certain types of visas, such as the J-1 Visa for exchange visitors, there are corresponding dependent visas available for their immediate family members. The J-2 Visa is specifically 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 reside in the United States during the J-1 holder's period of stay. While many nonimmigrant visa categories offer similar dependent visas, such as F-2 for F-1 student visa holders and H-4 for H-1B work visa holders, not all visa categories provide this option. It's important for individuals to consult with an attorney or the U.S. Department of State's resources to understand the specific visa options and requirements for dependents.