The F2 Visa: Requirements and How to Apply

Are you interested in coming to the United States with an F2 Visa? If so, it's essential to properly understand the requirements and how to apply for this type of visa. In this blog post, we'll look at the requirements for the F2 Visa and provide an overview of the application process. With this information, you'll better understand what to expect when applying for an F2 Visa.

  USA Immigration   Jun 4, 2023   0   739  Add to Reading List
The F2 Visa: Requirements and How to Apply

Are you looking to obtain an F2 visa? The F2 visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows the family members of an F1 visa holder to enter the United States temporarily. To be eligible for an F2 visa, you must meet several requirements by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this blog post, we'll go over the different F2 visa requirements and provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an F2 visa.

Those with an F1 visa are permitted to study in the United States at all educational levels, from elementary to graduate. They are also allowed to work in some circumstances, although they usually travel to the United States to study. If they have dependents, such as a spouse or unmarried children under 21, they are also permitted to bring them to the United States. This is possible with an F2-dependent visa.

The F2 visa is directly tied to the F1 visa holder's criteria. There is no limit; dependents must meet the standards and complete the application processes to obtain the visa.

What Is the F2 Visa?

The F2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to accompany their family members who have already obtained an F1 student visa. F2 tickets are typically issued for the same length as the F1 visa and the primary holder’s academic program. Holders of an F2 visa can participate in educational and recreational activities but may not work or pursue a degree.
Those eligible for an F2 visa must demonstrate their relationship to the F1 visa holder, usually through a marriage or birth certificate. The F2 visa holder must also show that they can financially support themselves and any dependents without working in the U.S.

Am I Eligible for an F2 Visa?

To be eligible for an F2 visa, you must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Be the spouse of an approved F1 visa holder, or
  • Be the unmarried child under 21 years old of an approved F1 visa holder
  • Have the financial means to support the family during your stay in the US

Besides these conditions, there are also documents that you must compile before you can begin your F2 visa application.

F2 Visa Documents Requirements

Here are the requirements for an F2 visa application:

  • Your current and previous passports.
  • Photocopies of your passport pages.
  • The DS-160 confirmation page.
  • Proof of financial stability. You can use bank or tax records, employment pay slips, etc., as proof.
  • A USA Visa Photograph. The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
  • Interview confirmation letter.
  • The receipts which prove you have paid the necessary fees.
  • The DS-160 confirmation page.
  • Your original Form I-20 and one copy.
  • A copy of the F1 visa holder’s I-20 form.
  • A copy of the F1 visa (if applicable).
  • If you are applying separately, a copy of the F1 visa holder’s passport.
  • Original marriage certificate if you are the spouse of the F1 visa holder.
    • Genuine marriage proof such as:
      • Wedding album.
      • Wedding guest list.
      • Receipts of wedding spending.
      • Receipts of honeymoon trips.
    • If married at the registrar, submit the wedding affidavit and pictures of you and your spouse with the wedding witnesses.
  • Original birth certificate if you are the child of the F1 visa holder.

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

  1. Get a Form I-20.
  2. Fill in Form DS-160 online.
  3. Pay the visa fees.
  4. Schedule your visa interview.
  5. Gather and complete your F2 Visa document file.
  6. Attend your interview.

Who Is Eligible for an F2 Visa?

The F2 visa is a non-immigrant visa available to certain family members of F1 visa holders. To be eligible for an F2 visa, you must be the spouse or unmarried child under 21 years of age of an F1 visa holder. You must also come to the United States to accompany the F1 visa holder or join them later. Also, you will need to show that you intend to work outside the United States and have enough financial resources to support yourself during your stay.
Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible for an F2 visa, you can begin the application process. First, you’ll need to fill out the online DS-160 form and submit supporting documents, such as proof of your relationship with the F1 visa holder, evidence of financial support, and a valid passport. Additionally, you’ll need to schedule and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your purpose for visiting the United States and other related topics. After your consultation, your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the decision.

Obtain a Form I-20

When an F1 visa holder is admitted into a SEVP school, the school issues a Form I-20. The form I-20 specifies the purpose of the visa, an estimate of costs, and the duration of the educational program. In addition, for the dependents of an F1 visa holder to get an F2 ticket, the F1 visa holder must notify the SEVP institution that the dependents intend to apply for the visa as well.


The SEVP institution will additionally construct and distribute a form I-20 for the dependents using this information. To be eligible for an F2 visa, each applicant must have a completed Form I-20. After receiving this form, the application process is comparable to other visas.

Online submission of Form DS-160

The DS-160 form should be filled out completely and submitted online. The page will produce a barcode and a confirmation page for you to keep when you submit it.
Pay your visa costs.

The F2 visa application fee is $160. You will need to pay this charge to go ahead with the application if you don't mind. When you finish paying, you will be given a receipt that shows it, which you should keep for future reference. Other expenses, such as visa issuance or reciprocity fees, may apply depending on the nation or US Embassy from where you apply.

The F1 visa holder is liable for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee, but the F2 visa applicant is not.

Schedule your visa interview.

As an F2 applicant, you can apply at the same time as the F1 applicant, or you can apply separately. If you are applying together, you can schedule the visa interview simultaneously. This procedure is recommended. However, you will need to prepare your visa interview if you are for applying separately. When scheduled, you will get an interview confirmation letter which you will show to the officers at the US Embassy to prove you have an appointment.

Could you compile and finish your F2 Visa paperwork file?

When you go for your visa interview, you must bring a file including all necessary documents. Because your program depends on it, please ensure that entirely is complete and that no important documents are missing.

Attend your interview

Please feel free to go ahead and go ahead and attend your visa interview on time with all the necessary documents. You will have questions regarding your relationship with the F1 visa holder and your intentions for being in the US. If the visa interviewer suspects that you are hiding something or that you intend to violate F2 visa rules, they will deny your visa.

What is the processing time for the F2 Visa?

Because of the workload variances in US embassies, visa processing timeframes vary. After your F2 interview, you could hear right away from your interviewer whether you were granted the visa or not. The wait will often last a few days or weeks, though.

This is because the US Embassy will review your materials and replies carefully. In addition, they will pay close attention to your finances and those of the F1 visa holder to establish if you can support yourself financially while you are in the US. Therefore, if the processing of your F2 visa is taking too long, it's possible that the US Embassy needs to be more relaxed and consider your application.

What Can I Do With an F2 Visa?

The F2 visa will have the same validity as the F1 visa because they are directly connected. Your F2 visa will be valid for two years if your spouse is granted permission to reside in the US on an F1 visa for that time. 3
prolong your visit

You will receive a renewal as their dependant if the F1 visa holder extends their stay by obtaining a new Form I-20. In addition, you must submit Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to have your F2 visa renewed. Please provide documentation showing your link to the principal F1 visa holder and proof that you have the money necessary to finance your stay.

Change your status

With an F2 visa, you are also allowed to apply to change your status. For example, if you enroll in an academic degree with a SEVP-approved institution, you will have to apply for an F1 visa, and you might get a change of status. In addition, if you find a job requiring an HH-type work visa, such as an H-1B visa, you and your employer can petition USCIS and follow the appropriate procedures to change your status.

Suppose you are an unmarried child under 21 years old of an F1 visa holder and turn 21 while in the US; you will have to apply for a different visa to remain. This is because you will no longer qualify as the dependent of the F1 visa holder and will have to return to your home country if you do not get a different type of US visa.

Get a green card

If the F1 visa holder applies and gets a Green Card, you, as their dependent on an F2 visa, automatically get the Green Card too. However, you can also try to apply yourself. For example, if you find an employer willing to sponsor you, you can file for an Employment-Based Green Card. Otherwise, you could also change your status to a different visa which allows dual intent, and apply for the Green Card.

Possess a healthcare provider.

As a holder of an F2 visa, you can access American hospitals and healthcare services. Although US healthcare expenses 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 several thousand. Therefore, even a basic service like a hospital stay might cost more than $3000.

What are the F2 Visa's Restrictions?

There are several limits on what you can and cannot do while in the US because the F2 visa is dependent. The F2 visa's goal is to allow families to stay together while the holder of the F1 permit pursues their educational goals, which may take several years. These restrictions are because 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 jobs you can take on in the US because your F1 spouse or parent has shown they can afford to pay for your living expenses there. You are not permitted to enter into any job agreements. However, you are allowed to volunteer or perform unpaid labor.

You are not allowed to get a Social Security Number (SSN)

Since you’re not allowed to work, you cannot get an SSN either. You are only eligible to get an ITIN number for tax purposes.

You are not allowed to enroll in an entire educational degree

The F2 visa does not allow you to enroll in a degree or credit-bearing education. So you cannot complete a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree with this visa. You can only enroll in recreational, vocational, and non-credit-bearing courses for hobbies or fun.

In addition, if you are a child dependent of an F1 visa holder, you are only allowed to complete elementary and middle school in the US. You will not be allowed to enroll in high school on an F2 visa. You will need to apply for a status change if you don't mind.

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Conclusion

The F2 visa is an important document for those wanting to stay in the United States for a prolonged period of time. Understanding the requirements and how to apply for an F2 visa is essential to ensure you can make the most of your time in the United States. If you are eligible for the F2 visa, you will need to fill out Form DS-160, pay the necessary fees, and present evidence that shows you meet the eligibility criteria. Additionally, applicants will be required to appear for a visa interview and may be asked to provide additional information to support their application. By following these steps and understanding what documents are needed, you should have no trouble obtaining an F2 visa and making the most of your time in the United States.