- Complete guide to acquiring an F2 visa, including all necessary paperwork, instructions, and frequently asked questions
F1 visa holders are permitted to pursue their education in the US at all levels, from elementary school to graduate school. They are occasionally permitted to work, but their main purpose for traveling to the US is to study. They are also permitted to bring any dependents they may have, such as a spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21. An F2 dependant visa can be used for this.
The conditions the F1 visa holder has are directly tied to the F2 visa. Dependents merely need to meet the criteria and finish the application process to obtain the visa; there is no cap on it.
Should I Apply for an F2 Visa?
You need to meet the requirements listed below in order to be qualified for an F2 visa:
being married to a person with a valid F1 visa, or
be an F1 visa holder’s under-21-year-old, unmarried kid.
possess the means to support your family during your stay in the United States
In addition to these requirements, you must gather certain documents before starting your F2 visa application.
Document requirements for F2 visas
The prerequisites for obtaining an F2 visa are as follows:
- your passports, both current and former.
copy of the pages in your passport. - The confirmation page of the DS-160.
- evidence of sound financial status. Paystubs from your job, tax returns, or other documents can be used as proof.
a photograph for a US visa. The image has to be from the recent six months. - letter confirming the interview.
- receipts demonstrating that you have paid the required fees.
- The confirmation page of the DS-160.
- the original and one copy of your I-20.
a replica of the I-20 form for the F1 visa holder. - a duplicate F1 visa (if applicable).
a copy of the F1 visa holder’s passport if you are making a separate application.
If you are married to an F1 visa holder, you must present an original marriage certificate.
Real marital documentation, such as a wedding album.
guest list for a wedding.
receipts for wedding-related expenses
honeymoon vacation receipts.
If you were wed at the registrar, present the wedding affidavit, photos of you two, and names of the witnesses.
Authentic birth certificate if you are the F1 visa holder’s child.
How can I get an F2 visa?
The steps to apply for an F2 visa are as follows below:
Get an I-20 form.
Online Form DS-160 completion.
the cost of the visa.
Set up the interview for your visa.
You should compile and finish your F2 Visa paperwork file.
Show up for the interview.
Get an I-20 form.
The school issues a Form I-20 whenever the F1 visa holder is admitted into a SEVP institution. The objective of the visa, an estimate of costs, and the duration of the educational program are all specified in the form I-20. The F1 visa holder must notify the SEVP institution that their dependents also plan to apply for the visa in order for them to receive an F2 visa.
The SEVP institution will use this data to construct and release a form I-20 for the dependents as well. In order to be eligible for an F2 visa, each applicant must possess a form I-20. Following receipt of this form, the application process is similar to that for other visas.
Online Form DS-160 completion
The DS-160 form must be filled out completely and submitted electronically. The page will generate a barcode and confirmation page after you submit it, which you must save for later use.
Cover the visa fees
The application price for the F2 visa is $160. This cost must be paid in order to continue with the application. You will receive a receipt as soon as the transaction is complete, and you should preserve it for your records. Depending on the nation or US Embassy from which you are requesting, additional expenses, such as reciprocity or visa issue fees, may also apply.
The F2 visa applicant is not required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, unlike the F1 visa holder who must.
Plan your visa interview.
You have the option of applying concurrently with the F1 applicant or separately as an F2 applicant. You can set up the visa interview at the same time as your application if you are applying jointly. In fact, this course of action is advised. However, you must arrange your own visa interview if you are submitting a separate application. You will receive an interview confirmation letter after it is arranged, which you will produce to the staff at the US Embassy to verify your appointment.
Get your F2 Visa document file together and complete it.
You need a file with the necessary paperwork to bring with you to the visa interview. Because your application depends on it, make sure the file is full and there are no crucial documents missing.
on it.
Show up for your interview
Arrive promptly for your visa interview with the required paperwork. Your relationship with the F1 visa holder and your reasons for visiting the US will be brought up in conversation. The visa interviewer will reject your application if they believe you are hiding something or intend to break the terms of your F2 visa.
How long does it take to process an F2 Visa?
Because of the variances and workloads in US embassies, processing times for visas vary. After your F2 interview, you might hear right away from your interviewer whether you were granted the visa or not. The wait will typically last a few days or weeks, though.
This is because the US Embassy will review your materials and responses carefully. They will pay close attention to your finances and those of the F1 visa holder to establish whether you can support yourself financially while you are in the US. Therefore, do not be frightened if the processing of your F2 visa is taking too long as the US Embassy either has a heavy busy or is examining your case in detail.
How Can I Use My F2 Visa?
The F2 visa will have the same validity as the F1 visa because they are directly related. Your F2 visa will be valid for 2 years if your spouse is granted permission to reside in the US on an F1 visa for that amount of time. 3
prolong your visit
You will receive a renewal as their dependent if the F1 visa holder extends their stay by obtaining a new Form I-20. You must submit Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, in order to have your F2 visa renewed. Along with financial documentation, you must include proof of your link to the primary F1 visa holder.
sufficient money to cover your stay
Refresh your status
You can seek to modify your status if you have an F2 visa. You will need to apply for an F1 visa and may experience a change in status if you choose to enroll in a program leading to a degree at a SEVP-approved institution. Additionally, you and your employer can petition USCIS and complete the necessary steps to alter your status if you locate a position that requires a H type work visa, such as an H-1B visa.
If you are the unmarried child under 21 years old of an F1 visa holder and you turn 21 while in the US, you will have to apply for a new form of visa to remain in To stay in the US, you will need to apply for a different kind of visa. This is due to the fact that if you do not obtain a different kind of US visa, you will lose your eligibility as the dependent of the F1 visa holder and would have to depart for your country of origin.
acquire a green card
You, as their dependent on an F2 visa, will automatically receive the Green Card if the F1 visa holder applies for and is granted one. You may, however, try applying yourself. You can apply for an employment-based green card if you can locate a company that will sponsor you. Alternatively, you might apply for a different visa that permits dual intent and change your status to obtain a Green Card.
possess a healthcare provider
As a holder of an F2 visa, you have access to American hospitals and healthcare services. Although US healthcare costs are the highest in the world, you may not be able to afford the cost of your treatment. They range in price from a few hundred dollars to many thousands. Even a basic service like a hospital stay could cost more than $3000.
As a result, you are highly encouraged to get a health insurance plan for those with F2 visas.
What are the F2 Visa’s Restrictions?
There are numerous restrictions on what you can and cannot do while in the US because the F2 visa is a dependant visa. The F2 visa’s goal is to allow families to stay together while the holder of the F1 visa pursues their educational goals, which may take several years. These restrictions are due to the fact that it serves no other function.
You cannot work while on an F2 visa.
There are no work permissions for F2 visas. There are no paid employment opportunities available to you because your F1 spouse or parent has demonstrated that they can afford to pay for your living expenses while you are in the US.
grew up in the US. You are not permitted to enter into any job agreements, however you are permitted to volunteer or perform unpaid work.
Obtaining a Social Security Number is prohibited (SSN)
You are not permitted to work, so you are also not eligible to obtain an SSN. ITIN numbers can only be obtained for tax-related activities.
You are not permitted to enrol in a full degree program.
You cannot enroll in a degree- or credit-bearing program on an F2 visa. Therefore, using this visa to finish a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is not an option. You may only enrol in non-credit, non-vocational, and recreational courses for leisure or amusement.
Additionally, you are only permitted to finish elementary and middle school in the US if you are a child dependent of an F1 visa holder. On an F2 visa, you won’t be able to enroll in high school. You must submit a change of status application in order to do this.
You cannot enter the US before the holder of an F1 visa.
You must either go with the F1 visa holder or after them if you are visiting the US for the first time. Before the F1 visa holder has been granted admission into the US, you cannot travel there.
After your initial entry into the US, there are no further travel limitations. You may move in
and without the holder of an F1 visa at any time outside the nation.
