I am L1B - does it make sense to go for J visa for the wife?

[StartupNation]

Dear experts,

I am currently working in the US under L1B visa. My wife is studying for her PHD in the US, using L2 status.

I understand that due to the fact that she is studying for PHD and receiving fund from the university she is legible to receive the J visa.

Can she apply for J-visa? Is there any disadvantage in doing that? I see it as advantage as her visa will add additional protection to our status in the US (in case something will happen to my L visa). Am I correct?

[kabkaba]

You are correct that having her in an independent status is good.
J1 is good in the way that if necessary you can in future change to J2 and receive EAD.
J1 does however have home country residence requirement making it difficult to change to any other status (waiver may be obtained but the process is tedious).

F1 can also be a possibility. Discuss it with school's international student advisor.