Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
- 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 holders ...
- What privileges do I enjoy on F2 visa? On F2 visa, you may: Enter the U.S. ...
- How long can I stay in the U.S. ...
- Can I work on F-2 visa? ...
- Can I study on F-2 visa? ...
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.
How to apply for a F2 visa?
To apply for F-2 visa, you must submit:
- Completed Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, for dependents that is issued to the F-2 dependent. If Applying at a U.S. ...
- Filled in Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application
- One recent color photograph (37 x 37mm) of each applicant, with the entire face visible. ...
- A passport, valid for travel to the U.S. ...
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?
Can a F2 visa holder work in the USA?
You Cannot Work: F-2 visa holders are not permitted to work in the United States. In order to qualify for an F-2 visa, the F-1 visa holder must demonstrate that he or she can cover the living expenses of his or her family when they come to the United States.
Who is eligible for F2 visa?
The spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of the F-1 student may be admitted into the U.S. in F-2 classification, if each dependent presents a SEVIS Form I-20 issued in his or her own name and an F-2 visa.
Can we work in F2 visa?
Restrictions on F-2 dependent visa holders For example, F-2 visa holders usually can't work with their visas since they can't usually obtain a work permit. They can, however, engage in unpaid voluntary work. Without a work permit, the F-2 visa holder also won't be able to get a Social Security Number.
What is the difference between F-1 and F2 visa?
The F visa is classified into F1 and F2 visas. F1 visas are used by non-immigrant students for Academic and Language training Courses. The F2 visas are used by the dependents of F1 visa holders. Spouse and unmarried, minor children are said to be the dependents of the F1 visa holder.
What does F2 status mean?
Your F-2 lawful status is the official U.S. government designation and authorization of your stay in the U.S. as a non-immigrant dependent of an F-1 student. Your status is dependent upon and in effect for the duration of your F-1 principal visa holder.
How long F2 visa stay in USA?
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-1 status.
How long is F2 visa valid?
Valid F-2 visa in passport (except dependents from Canada). F-2 dependent I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS on page 3 (signatures are valid for six months).
Is there interview for F2 visa?
There is ZERO relation between your expected F2 visa interview and person attending F2 Visa interview in the very next window. F2 Visa Rejections are common and it primarily because the applicant thought it would a walk in the park. Far too many rejections have happened due to the Lack of Preparation.
How long does it take to get F2 visa?
US 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
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".
Why does F2 visa get rejected?
Reasons for denial of a visa include lack of proper documentation (such as lack of evidence of sufficient financial support), suspected excludability (such as criminal activity), or, most often, the inability to convince the consular officer that they will return to their home country after the authorized stay has ...
Can F2 visa change 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 in USA?
F-2 and M-2 dependents can engage in study at an SEVP-certified school in the United States as long as they are enrolled in less than a full course of study.
What can I do with an F2 visa?
The F2 Dependent Visa grants your family the right to reside in the U.S. However, they cannot take up paid employment nor pursue education. Nevertheless, children may engage in full time elementary or secondary school. Adult dependents are only allowed to engage in non-vocational or recreative courses of study.
Can F2 visa change to H-1B?
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 holder apply for EAD?
F-2 dependents cannot obtain employment authorization in the United States. J-2 dependents are eligible to apply to USCIS for employment authorization so long as the employment is not for the purpose of supporting the J-1.
Why does F2 visa get rejected?
Reasons for denial of a visa include lack of proper documentation (such as lack of evidence of sufficient financial support), suspected excludability (such as criminal activity), or, most often, the inability to convince the consular officer that they will return to their home country after the authorized stay has ...
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...
What Can I Do With an F2 Visa?
Since the F2 visa is directly related to the F1 visa, it will have the same validity. If your spouse on an F1 visa is allowed to stay in the U.S for 2 years, your F2 visa will also have a validity of 2 years.3
How much does it cost to get an F2 visa?
The F2 visa has an application fee of $160. You must pay this fee to be able to proceed with the application. Upon completion of payment, you will get a receipt that proves it and you should keep it for later on. There might also be other fees depending on the country or U.S Embassy you are applying from, such as visa issuance fees or reciprocity fees.
What is the processing time for the F2 Visa?
However, it is more common that the wait will be a few days or weeks.
What is the form I-20 for F1?
When the F1 visa holder gets accepted into a SEVP institution, the school releases a Form I-20. The form I-20 details the purpose of the visa, an estimate of expenses, and the time the educational program lasts. For the dependents of the F1 visa holder to get an F2 visa, the F1 person should inform the SEVP institution that the dependents also intend to apply for the visa.
How to renew an F1 visa?
To get your F2 visa renewed, you should file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. You should attach proof of your relationship with the primary F1 visa holder and financial evidence that you have enough funds to cover your stay.
What are the limitations of an F2 visa?
What are the Limitations of the F2 Visa? Those who have the F1 visa are allowed to study in the U.S in various education levels, starting from elementary to graduate school. They are also allowed to work in certain situations, but primarily they go to the U.S to study.
Why is my F2 visa taking so long?
This is because the U.S Embassy will take their time to look over your documents and responses. They will particularly focus on you and the F1 visa holder’s financial situation to determine whether you can cover your expenses while in the U.S. So if your F2 visa processing is taking too long, do not be alarmed as the U.S Embassy either has a heavy workload or is taking their time to analyze your case.
How to apply for a F-2 visa?
To qualify for an F-2 visa, you must meet the following requirements: 1 Be the spouse of an approved F-1 visa holder 2 Be the unmarried child under 21 years of age of an approved F-1 visa holder 3 Have the financial means to support your family during your stay in the United States
What Are the Limitations of an F-2 Visa?
Like other dependency visas, there are certain limitations to an F-2 visa. The F-2 visa is exclusively intended to keep families together while one family member is studying in the United States, which is why the abil ities of an F-2 visa holder are limited. Limitations include all of the following:
How Long Does It Take to Process an F-2 Visa?
Sometimes, an F-2 visa can be processed before your interview at the embassy. In this case, the interview is the final stage of the application process. The consular officer will tell you whether your F-2 visa has been approved or denied when you complete the interview.
What Happens If I Turn 21 While in the United States On an F-2 Visa?
You can apply for an F-2 visa as the unmarried child of the F-1 visa holder under age 21. But what happens if you turn 21 while in the United States?
Can I Get a Green Card with an F-2 Visa?
Generally, an F-2 visa is not a path to a green card. However, there are certain situations where an F-2 visa holder can turn into a lawful permanent resident (i.e. a green card holder).
How much does it cost to get an F-2 visa?
Step 3) Pay the Visa Application Fee: The F-2 visa comes with a fee of $160 USD, which is similar to most other U.S. visas. You must pay this fee to proceed with your application. Without this fee, you cannot schedule an interview with a U.S. embassy. The F-2 visa applicant only has to pay this visa application fee, although the F-1 visa applicant pays both the visa application fee and a $200 SEVIS I-901 fee (F-2 applicants do not receive a SEVIS number and are exempt from this fee).
How long is an F-2 visa valid?
If your spouse or parent’s F-1 visa is valid for two years, then your F-2 visa will be valid for two years (in most cases).
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 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 are the requirements for the F2B visa?
The F2B visa does not have extensive requirements for an applicant to be eligible. The following are the criteria for the applicant of the F2B visa:
What are the F2B visa fees?
The amounts vary and are set by USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security and the individual U.S Embassy or Consulate where you are applying. The main categories of fees that must be paid are as follows:
How long is the F2B visa processing time?
Because there is a limited amount of visas, many people end up waiting for 2 or more years, with extreme cases having waited for 7 years. That is why you must only wait until your date becomes current and then start the application process.
What if the petitioning LPR got a U.S citizenship while the F2B visa is processing?
With a U.S citizenship, the parent can then petition for the Immediate Relative (IR) visa for the adult child in a foreign country. The benefit of that is that IR visas do not have a cap and they have faster processing times. The parent can then have the opportunity to submit a new petition for the IR visa.
What is DS 260?
Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application is the form which all applicants for immigrant visas must submit. The application is online and will go through your personal or background information and why you want to immigrate to the U.S. You can access it by entering your NVC case number and invoice ID number. Fill in the sections that are necessary and after submitting it, you will get a confirmation page and number which you must submit to NVC as part of your documents file.
What happens if you deny a USCIS visa?
USCIS then processes the petition and sends their answer to the LPR. If they deny the petition, they will also state the reason for denial. This means that the LPR can then adjust their application and send the petition again. If the petition is approved, then the LPR will be notified and USCIS will send the documents to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
How many visas does an F2B get?
F2B visa gets 34,260 visas or less than 30% of the total
What Is the F2A Visa?
The F2A visa is a US immigrant visa for spouses or minor children of Green Card holders. This visa is designed to allow US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) to bring these certain family members to the US permanently.
Who Can Obtain the F2A Visa?
To be able to apply for an F2A visa, you must fulfill the following conditions:
What Is the F2A Visa Processing Time?
The NVC processes visas in chronological order, so it depends on how many applications were before you. This means that it usually takes a year or more for your date to become current and thus the processing time is quite long.
What if the Petitioning LPR got a US Citizenship While the F2A Visa is Processing?
This means that the spouse and children qualify for a different type of visa, which is the Immediate Relative (IR) visa. This visa does not have a cap so the processing is much faster.
What is the F2A process?
The F2A application process is divided into two parts: The US Lawful Permanent Resident petitions for their spouse or minor children to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) When the petition is approved, the spouse or child must apply to a US Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
What is DS 260?
Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application is the form which all applicants for immigrant visas must submit. It is done online and it will inquire on your personal and background information, as well as reasons why you are immigrating to the US. It will also ask you to write your NVC case number and invoice ID number. You must fill in the appropriate sections and then submit it. After submission, you will receive a confirmation number page which you must submit to NVC as part of your documents file.
How many family preference visas are there?
The Family Preference visas have a limitation on their number. These visas have an allocated amount of 114,200 visas per year. This cap of visas is allocated in this way to the two categories:
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 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.
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 ).
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 documents do consular officers need to interview you for a student visa?
A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: Your academic preparation, such as: Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and. Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.
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.
