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Family members of J-1 visa holders who wish to join the J-1 visa holder in the United States for the duration of their exchange program can apply for a J-2 visa. The J-2 visa allows family members to stay in the U.S. for the duration of the J-1 visa holder's program. However, the J-2 visa is only valid for certain exchange programs. For example, some programs like Au Pair Programs, High School Exchange Programs, Camp Counselor Programs, and Summer Work Travel Programs do not permit the issuance of J-2 visas, while programs like Professor and Research Scholar Exchange Programs, Government Visitor Programs, and Doctor Exchange Programs do allow J-2 visa issuance.

📝 Required Documents

The following documents are required for the J-2 visa application:

Valid Passport: A passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of travel.
DS-160 Form: The U.S. visa application form must be completed online and in English.
DS-2020 Form: The form issued by the program sponsor and approved by SEVIS.
DS-2019 Form: The form issued by the program sponsor and approved by SEVIS.
Biometric Photo: A recent color photo, 5x5 cm, with a white background.
Copy of National ID: A copy of the Turkish identity card.
Full Family Registration Certificate: A document showing the address and family details.
Visa Request Letter: A letter written in English, explaining the travel purpose and financial situation.
J-1 Visa Holder’s Passport Copy: A copy of the J-1 visa holder’s passport, including the personal information page.

💼 Sponsor Documents

For J-1 visa applications, a sponsor is required. The following documents must be provided based on the sponsor’s situation:

Sponsor’s Financial Documents: Bank account statements, salary slips, pension card copy, etc.
Sponsor’s ID and Residence Documents: A copy of the national ID, proof of residence, etc.
Sponsor’s Employment Documents: Social Security Service records, employment contract, tax certificate, etc.

📅 Application Process

The application process for the U.S. J-2 visa includes the following steps:

Apply to an Educational Institution and Get Accepted: After being accepted by an SEVP-approved school, the school will issue the DS-2019 form.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee: After receiving the DS-2019 form, pay the SEVIS fee to activate the system.
Complete the DS-160 Form: Fill out the DS-160 form online in English.
Schedule an Appointment: Schedule a visa interview with the U.S. Consulate.
Attend the Interview: On the scheduled date, attend the interview with the required documents including the DS-160 confirmation page.

📌 Important Notes

Visa Duration and Work Permit: The J-2 visa is valid for the duration of the J-1 visa holder’s program. J-2 visa holders may be eligible for work authorization under certain conditions. To work, J-2 visa holders must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Visa Denial: Even if your documents are complete and correct, your visa application may still be denied. It is recommended not to make any travel arrangements until your visa has been approved.
Visa Fee: The visa application fee is non-refundable, even if the application is denied.
Visa Approval: Visa approval does not guarantee entry to the U.S. Entry will be granted upon arrival by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

🕒 Processing Time

The processing time for J-2 visa applications may vary depending on the consulate's workload. Results can generally be expected within 3 business days after the interview date. However, official holidays and other factors may affect this time. Therefore, it is recommended to apply at least 2 months before the start of the program.

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