how to apply f2 visa

The steps to apply for an F2 visa are as follows below:

• Get a Form I-20.
• Fill in Form DS-160 online.
• Pay the visa fees.
• Schedule your visa interview.
• Gather and complete your F2 Visa document file.
• Attend your interview.

Full Answer

Is it difficult to get f2 visa?

There is no quota for them. So if the documentation is correct, it should not be difficult. Care should be exercised that financial resources are adequate not only for the student but also for F2 visa holders to sustain themselves there.

Can I work under a F2 visa?

Since the visa process indicates whether the person will be financially funded in the US, the holder of the F-2 visa is not allowed to work in the United States. They can do unpaid works but are not allowed to work. Can the F-2 visa holders travel outside the US?

What is the difference between a F1 and F2 visa?

What is the difference between F1 and F2? F1 visa or status applies to full time students enrolled in a certified educational program in the US. F2 visa or status applies to dependents of the F1 applicant, such as the spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 years of age.

Can a F2 visa holder get Social Security?

These foreign citizens have federal tax reporting or filing requirements as F2 visa holders, but they are not able to obtain a Social Security Number due to ineligibility. The ITIN is only for federal tax purposes, and it may not have any other use unless the Administration makes the changes.

How long does F2 visa take to process?

to 2 weeksUS Visa Processing Times for Different Visa TypesVisa TypeProcessing TimeF-2 visaFew days to 2 weeksJ-1 visa1 to 4 monthsQ-1 visa15 days to 3 monthsM-1 visaAt least 4 weeks8 more rows

How much bank balance is required for F2 visa?

Proof of funding or bank statement in U.S. dollars and dated within the past three months covering at least $7,200 USD for spouse and $3,600 USD per child.

How does a F2 visa work?

F-2 dependent (spouse) visa holders are not eligible for employment. An F-2 dependent who would desire to pursue any employment, paid or non-paid, in the U.S. would need to find an employer willing and able to sponsor them for an employment visa.

Is there an interview for F2 visa?

Does F2 visa require interview? Dependents must complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application online and make a visa interview appointment.

How long is F2 visa valid?

F-2 dependent I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS on page 3 (signatures are valid for six months).

Is marriage certificate required for F2 visa?

F2 Visa Supporting Documents To apply for an F1 visa in the U.S., you will need the following documents: A copy of your marriage certificate (for spouses) A copy of your birth certificate or adoption documents (for children) Evidence of sufficient funds to support your family in the U.S.

Who can sponsor F2 visa?

To be eligible for an F-2 visa, applicants should fulfill the following requirements: Be a spouse of an approved F-1 visa foreign national. Be an unmarried child under the age of 21 of an approved F-1 visa foreign national. Have the financial capacity to support their stay in the U.S.

Can we convert F2 to h1b?

As a nonimmigrant permit, the F-2 visa cannot be used as a stepping stone to permanent residency, and it does not automatically allow holders to take up employment in the US. It is possible, however, to change status, including to H1-b visa, in order to work legally.

Can F2 visa study online?

F-2 students can take online classes; there are no immigration-related restriction for either online or distance-education instruction, and. F2 students can study at a college or university of their choice; they are not limited to academic study at the same university as the F-1 student.

What are the F2 visa interview questions?

5. F2 Visa Interview ExperienceWhat is your spouse name?What he is doing?When did you get married?Was it arranged marriage?How did you meet him?Where is he working?

Can F2 visa be converted to F-1?

Fill out form I-539 to change your nonimmigrant status from F2 to F1. The filing fee is $370 as of May 2017. The form asks for information such as your name, address, arrival date, current visa status, your I-94 number and passport details.

Can F2 visa holder travel alone?

No, there is no "restriction on the travel duration for an F2 visa holder when traveling alone out of the country".

Can F2 visa holder have bank account?

Sure. Anyone can open a bank account. There is no need of SSN.

How much money do I need to show for U.S. student visa?

But as a general rule, students should show 1.5 times the amount mentioned in their I-20. For example, the amount mentioned in your I-20 is $25,000 for the first year. Then, show an amount close to $38,000. You can refer to this thread to know more about the questions asked regarding US Student Visa.

Do F2 visa applicants need to pay SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee is in addition to any visa fees you may be required to pay at a U.S. consulate. F-2 and J-2 dependent family members are not required to pay the fee.

Can parents get F2 visa?

F-2 visas are unavailable to parents, in-laws, or adult sons and daughters of an F-1 student. The State Department says that the B-2 classification is appropriate for noncitizens who are members of the household of another person with F-1 or other long-term nonimmigrant status.

1. What is F-2 dependent visa?

The F-2 dependent visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows dependent spouses and children(unmarried, under 21 years old) of F-1 student visa holder...

2. What privileges do I enjoy on F2 visa?

On F2 visa, you may: Enter the U.S. along with your spouse or join him or her later Travel in and out of the U.S. or remain in the U.S. continuousl...

3. How long can I stay in the U.S. on F-2 visa?

You may stay in the U.S. as long as the principal F-1 visa holder maintains valid status. You lose your status once the principal applicant loses F...

4. Can I work on F-2 visa?

No, you may not take up paid employment while in the U.S. on F-2 visa.

5. Can I study on F-2 visa?

As an F-2 spouse you may not engage in full time study and F-2 child may only engage in full time elementary or secondary school (kindergarten thro...

6. How do I apply for F-2 visa?

To apply for F-2 visa, you must submit: 1. Completed Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, for dependents that...

7. Where do I apply for F-2 visa?

On F2 visa, you may: If you are in a lawful status in the U.S., submit the change of status application to a USCIS Service Center in the U.S. If yo...

8. What is the processing time for F-2 visa ?

If you are applying for a change of status at a USCIS Service Center the processing time will vary according to case load. check processing time ....

9. Can I extend my stay while on F-2 visa?

F-1 and F-2 are admitted for ‘duration of stay’. As long as the principal F-1 maintains status as a student the F-2 is not required to seek extens...

Is it possible to switch to a Green Card?

The F2 Visa is a non-immigrant permit, meaning it won’t lead to obtaining permanent residence in the U.S with a Green Card . However, you can appl...

What is the SEVIS?

The acronym SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor System, and it’s a database used by the Department for Homeland Security to record in...

Can I travel outside the U.S while in the country on an F2 Visa?

Yes, there are no travel restrictions on F2 Visa holders, so you are free to travel in and out of the U.S. as and when you please.

What is an F-2 visa?

The F-2 dependent visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows dependent spouses and children (unmarried, under 21 years old) of F-1 student visa holders to enter into the U.S.

What is the form I-20A-B?

1. Completed Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, for dependents that is issued to the F-2 dependent.

How long does it take to get a visa back after an interview?

If you are applying for a visa at a U.S. Consulate, and your visa is approved passport will be returned to you by courier within a few days of the interview

Where to submit change of status application?

If you are in a lawful status in the U.S., submit the change of status application to a USCIS Service Center in the U.S.

Do I need to submit an I-20A-B?

Note: If you are joining the prospective student later, you will need to submit Form I-20 A-B, endorsed from the school that the F-1 student is attending.

Can you take up an activity until the change of status is approved?

However you can not take up the new activity/endeavor until the change of status is approved.

Can a F-2 spouse study?

As an F-2 spouse you may not engage in full time study and F-2 child may only engage in full time elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade) study. F-2 spouse or child may engage in a study that is avocational or recreational in nature.

How much does it cost to get a F2 visa?

The application fee for the USA F2 visa is $160. The application will not be evaluated until this fee is paid. Keep in mind, save the issued receipt after the payment, because you’ll need it later. Depending on the country and embassy you are applying for, additional costs may be required. The F-2 visa applicant is exempt from paying the SEVIS I-901 fee.

How long does it take to get a visa after an F-2 interview?

However, this process usually takes a few days or weeks. The US Embassy needs time to assess your documents. They will mainly focus on the financial situation to determine whether you can meet expenditures. So if your visa processing is taking too long, be patient.

What is the purpose of the I-20?

The form I-20 contains the purpose of the visa, an approximation of expenditures, and the period of the educational program . The F-1 visa holder should inform the institution that his/her dependents also intend to apply for the F-2 visa. The SEVP school releases a form I-20 for the dependents too. After getting this form, the application procedure for the F-2 visa is similar to other visas.

Can a F-1 visa holder get a masters degree?

They cannot also get a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree under this visa. They are only allowed to enroll in recreational or vocational courses for entertainment or fun. Dependents of an F-1 visa holder can not enroll in elementary schools in the US. They can only go to high school under the F-2 visa.

Can a F-2 visa be used to work in the US?

Since the visa process indicates whether the person will be financially funded in the US, the holder of the F-2 visa is not allowed to work in the United States. They can do unpaid works but are not allowed to work.

Can a dependent get a social security number?

A dependent visa helps families to remain together in the US, and it has some limitations. Since the F-2 visa holders are not authorized to work, they cannot get the Social Security Number. The holders of the F-2 visa are not permitted to register in academic courses. They cannot also get a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree under this visa. They are only allowed to enroll in recreational or vocational courses for entertainment or fun.

Can a F-1 visa holder get a green card?

If the F-1 visa holder can get a Green Card, his/her dependents will also receive a Green Card automatically. Also, you can change the status of the F-2 visa. There are two options for this aim:

What is the financial requirement for an F2 visa?

If you’re added to an F1 Visa holder’s application as a dependent, then it’s their responsibility to prove they can financially support your stay in the U.S. This is why there’s a minimum financial requirement that must be met.

What is the cost of an F2 visa?

The cost to apply for the F2 Visa is the same as the F1, which is $160.

What is the procedure for an F2 visa?

After receiving a new I-20, the F2 application procedure becomes very similar to applying for an F-1 visa. Your dependent needs to make a visa appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and bring to the interview all documents mentioned above, plus additional information to support their request for a non-immigrant visa.

How old do you have to be to get an F-2?

The spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of an F-1 student are eligible for F-2 status, and may stay in the US as long as the primary student remains in legal F1 status.

What happens if my spouse changes to F1?

If an F-2 spouse or child changes status to F1, he or she becomes eligible for certain employment benefits. F2 dependents may accept unpaid, volunteer positions if such positions have always been filled with volunteers in the past.

Can an F-2 dependent apply for a SSN?

Can F-2 dependents apply for a social security number (SSN)? No. F-2 dependents are not allowed to work, and therefore are not eligible for a social security number. However, an F-1 student may apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for his/her spouse and each child in F2 status, for tax filing purposes.

Can a F2 student go to college?

They may not enroll in a full course of study at a college or university (post-secondary level), except for taking recreational classes. F2 Children are eligible to apply for F1 or M1 status in order to attend college. After turning 21, a child will lose his or her derivative status and must change to another nonimmigrant status in order ...

Can a spouse change F2 status?

To study full-time at post-secondary level , the spouse must change his/her F-2 status to F1, and may not attend school until the change of status request is approved by the USCIS. A child in F2 status is allowed to attend K-12 schools (elementary, middle, or high school) as a full-time student.

Can my spouse and minor children apply for an F2 visa?

Your spouse and minor children can apply for F2 visas, and either accompany or follow to join you in the United States. To apply for an F-2 visa, you need to contact your school's international student office and request a new I-20 for your dependent.

Where to apply for a student visa?

After you receive the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa. You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.

What is an EAD for F-1?

Students who are authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have a Form I-20 endorsed for OPT, and apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student's area of study.

What happens after a visa interview?

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required.

How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).

What is a B visa?

After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.

How far in advance can you get a student visa?

New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.

What is the purpose of a consular interview?

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.

If you've accompanied someone on a student visa to the U.S. and have been offered employment, you can apply for H-1B status and a visa

If you've accompanied someone on a student visa to the U.S. and have been offered employment, you can apply for H-1B status and a visa.

Changing Your Immigration Status While in the U.S

You should be able to change your immigration status without leaving the United States, so long as you have not violated the terms of your F-2 visa, for example by working without authorization or staying beyond the expiration date of your permitted stay.

How to Apply for a Change of Status to H-1B

The first step in the process of applying for H-1B status doesn't involve you at all. Your employer will need to file the LCA, which DOL will endorse. Next, your employer must file a petition on USCIS Form I-129. Because you're presumably already in the U.S.