Dependents (F2, J2, L2, H4)

General Information:

To obtain a visa to join a spouse or parent in the United States, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she is the spouse or minor child of an F-1, J-1, M-1, H-1, H-2, or L-1 visa holder who wishes to enter the United States solely to accompany or follow to join the principal visa holder.
 
Visa Specific Information

• The F-2 visa is for dependents of students (F-1), and is valid for multiple entries within twelve months.
• The J-2 visa is for dependents of exchange visitors (J-1), and is valid for multiple entries within twelve months.
• The M-2 visa is for dependents of students at vocational or other recognized non-academic institutions (M-1), and is valid for multiple entries within twelve months.
• The H-4 visa is for dependents of temporary workers (H), and is valid for one entry within three months. 
• The L-2 visa is for dependents of intracompany transfers (L), and is valid for one entry within three months.  Applicants wishing to receive a multiple-entry L-2 visa valid for 24 months must pay an additional fee of USD $120 or RMB 960.

Required Documentation

In addition to presenting two copies of the completed application form DS-156 (one in English and one in Chinese), a valid passport (with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States) and the RMB 800 CITIC application fee receipt, applicants for all of the above dependent visas must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Proof of relationship to the family member in the U.S. (original marriage certificates, birth certificates, evidence of correspondence, and photographs).
• Proof of legal status of the family member in the U.S. (photocopies of family member’s passport and U.S. visa, form I-20 for students, form DS-2019 for exchange visitors, or form I-797 for temporary workers)
• Sufficient funds establishing that the applicant is not likely at any time to become a public charge, through such documents as form I-20 for students, form DS-2019 for exchange visitors, personal income tax returns (form 1040), corporate income tax returns (form 1020), corporate quarterly reports (form 941), W-2 tax forms, bank statements, and affidavit of support (form I-134). Evidence of health insurance covering dependents is can also be helpful.