A visa is another name for a permission form granted by the US government to foreigners who want to come, work, stay, or travel in the United States. Visas can be multi realized, some aiming to achieve particular objectives. Storing documentation, such as a visa, in it or the owner’s passport for readers who might be applying for a visa is a possible way. In such cases, this is stamped or fixed by the issuer who might be the embassy or consulate.

Let us look at the different types of US visas:

• As the visitor visa, the B2 is often referred to in the same way.
• Business visa, which is the B 1 visa, officially .
• The student visa, which students hold to study, and which we sometimes call F1 visa.
• The H2-A, H1-B, and H2-B visas are here to allow hiring of temporary workers.
• An R1 visa is issued for religious workers to enter the US.

We should also know that there are different visas (hence they are given above) to apply for as established by the US government.

What Is an F2 Visa?

An F2 visa is also known as D-2 visa, and it’s given to the people who do not intend to immigrate into the United States. This category is aimed at the F1 visa petitioners’ dependents, meaning that it is designed for the spouses, and underage unmarried children of an F1 visa holder.

The F2 visa which is the dependent visa was created by the United States Governments and is meant for spouses or children who want to accompany dependents that are on the F1 Visa US academic pursuit.

The same earlier section teaches us that the F1 visa category is for students originating from abroad. To be included in this category are those in universities and colleges.

Additionally, therefore, the F1 category visa is the sole support visa for the F2 visa.

Who Is The Authority On Visas In The USA?

In the United States, there are both the Department of State and its consular offices in the United State embassies which are responsible for the issuance of visas. U.S laws dealing with immigration are too numerous to count. They definitely are the criteria.

A. Immigration And Nationality Act

In the United States, there are both the Department of State and its consular offices in the United State embassies which are responsible for the issuance of visas. U.S laws dealing with immigration are too numerous to count. They definitely are the criteria.

B. The Code Of Federal Regulations

According to the Immigration and Naturalisation Act, this is the principal Federal law that controls the U.S. immigration and naturalization policies. It contains guidelines for several visas respective ones, their eligibility to the deportation, and inadmissibility criteria.

C. State And Embassies

Besides this, the Department of State posts a weekly Visa Bulletin for the public. It encloses the visa rules of the employment as well as family class. These advisories typically keep the visa process applicants up-to-date with pertinent information.

The US Embassy and consulate have consular officers who are in charge of and maintain a standardized procedure in which visa applications are being processed in a fair and smooth manner. Everybody, single applicants as well as authorized people, face immigration policy.

• Details

Being eligible for every visa applicant is to make sure that people go through the embassies or consulates. The Act can even deny visa-oriented applications for people with criminal records, health challenges, or other security concerns.

• Formalities

As well as these, it takes leg work and certain bureaucratic formal procedures to get a visa. To illustrate this, I would like to specify for you a payment we must make for each visa. The immigrants are also granted a type of a visa which makes them eligible for permanent residency, this type of a visa is referred to as a green card or a permanent residency card.

• Petitions

The applicants for the U.S. visa shall file a petition of change of their status by the sponsor under the U.S. jurisdiction. Only the US Government is capable of nullifying a visa in case of unjustified action against the legal standards.

This Act is the primary Federal legislation that governs immigration and naturalization policies of the United States. It has requirements for multiple visa categories respective, including eligibility criteria, deportation, and inadmissibility sections.

Eligibility of Acquiring a F2 Visa

The F2 visa is a non-immigrant visa class that permits the spouses and single kids (below the age of 21) of F-1 international college students to accompany them to the United States. This visa affords an opportunity for one’s circle of relatives participants to join and guide the F-1 student during their research. To be eligible for an F2 visa, applicants want to satisfy specific necessities.

Relationship to the F-1 Student

The primary requirement for an F2 visa is a legitimate date for the F-1 student. Applicants need to be the accomplice or single infant (below the age of 21) of the F-1 student. This courting has to be examined through dependable documentation, which includes a marriage certificate or shipping certificate.

Dependent Status

F2 visa holders are taken into consideration dependents of the F-1 student. As such, they may now not be legal to engage in complete employment or have a look at in the United States. However, F2 spouses can also observe for portray authorization in certain situations, and F2 youngsters also can attend simple or secondary faculties.

Maintaining F-1 Student Status

To preserve F2 visa eligibility, the F-1 pupil must preserve their pupil reputation. This includes being enrolled in a complete-time path of look at, making first-rate instructional development, and complying with all different necessities of the F-1 visa.

Financial Support

F2 visa candidates want to demonstrate that the F-1 student has enough monetary resources to aid the family contributors throughout their lives within the United States. This might also include offering proof of the F-1 scholar’s earnings, scholarships, or different sources of funding.

Application Process

To exercise for an F2 visa, the applicant has to post a completed Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) and a legitimate passport. Additionally, they ought to attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy or consulate of their domestic United States of America, in which they may be required to provide help documentation and display their eligibility for the visa.

Advantages of the F2 Visa

The F2 visa offers several advantages for the own family of F-1 university students. It permits them to accompany the F-1 student to the U.S., supplying emotional and sensible assistance at some stage in their research. Additionally, F2 spouses can be eligible to apply for work authorization, which may help in alleviating monetary burdens.

In the give up, the F2 visa is a valuable alternative for the spouses and children of F-1 worldwide students. With expertise in the eligibility necessities and the software program way, own family contributors can be a part of their loved ones within the United States and aid them in some unspecified time in the future of their instructional adventure.

Laws Of The US That Especially Govern The F2 Visa Category

Now that we have our introduction to the F2 visa category, we should also know what the US law says about it. The government for the F2 category is dependent on the F1 category. 

Since the F1 category is related to immigration, the USA immigration department also handles the F2 visa. However, it is worth mentioning that the F2 visa category falls under a broader network of laws and regulations.

Title II And VIII Of The Immigration And Nationality Act

Various sections under Title II and Title VIII of the Immigration and Nationality Act deal with F2 visas. This is the primary act that governs provisions relating to admissibility and inadmissibility of nonimmigrants in the US.

 Title VIII Of The Code Of Federal Regulations

This title contains regulations for immigration and nationality of nonimmigrant visas, including the F2 visa.

 The United States Department Of State Regulations

This regulatory body is responsible for issuing F2 visas throughout the Global embassies and consulate of the US. It also sets guidance provisions, processes, and interview requirements for the F2 visa category.

United States Citizenship And Immigration Services Policies

These policies come from the Department of Homeland Security. They majorly Govern the benefits and procedures related to immigration and visas. F2 visa eligibility application procedure and status are under the Governance of these policies. 

Regulations By The Internal Revenue Service

If the F2 visa holder is considering employment opportunities or other sources of income, they will have to pay taxes. This is where the VISA holder will be subject to the regulations of the IRS.

Therefore, although the F2 category of visa is only dependent on the F1 category, broad visa regulations of the US govern F2 as well. 

More About The F2 Visa

The F1 visa allows a person to study in the US. The person can go to school, college, or university or even pursue research in various subjects, provided that it is from an educational institution in the United States.

• The holders of the F1 visa can get temporary jobs. However, they are there to get a degree. Such a visa holder can have dependents such as a spouse or unmarried children under 21 years. 

Therefore, they can bring these dependents along with them to the United States. The dependents will come to the US with the help of an F2 visa.

Relationship Between The F1 And F2 Visa Category

The F2 category of VISA has a direct relation to the legal conditions of the F1 holder. There is no upper limit, only that the dependent will have to fulfill the requirements of the application process. 

• Once all the legal procedures are complete, the dependent will have the F2 visa in their hands.
• The F2 visa has eligibility criteria that depend on those of the F1 visa holder. Since these F2 visas are for spouses and children, they outline the framework of the immigration policies of the United States.

Immigration And Nationality Act

Sections 10 and 15 of the Immigration and Nationality Act address the eligibility standards. 

• Under the law, these are the factors that determine the eligibility of a person applying for an F2 visa. 
• The visa application should be the spouse or an unmarried child of the F1 visa holder. They should have a familial relationship with the F1 visa holder. 
• All F2 visa statuses are only dependent on the status of the F1 visa holder in the US. Once the F1 visa holder somehow loses their eligibility, the F2 dependent will also suffer the same fate.
• Said F2 visa applicant has to give evidence that they are related to the F1 visa holder. 
• The dependent has to prove the factor of dependency to the authorities in the US. Dependency can be for financial support or care. 
• Once the dependent checks all the boxes of the eligibility criteria, they can go ahead and fill out the application form for the F2 visa.

Next comes the application fee and clearance of the visa interview. It is worth mentioning that an F2 visa dependent cannot pursue full-time education in the United States.

What Are The F2 Visa Documents Requirements?

These are the documents that you should keep handy during F2 visa applications.

• All current and previous passports of the applicant.
• The DS-160 confirmation form.
• At least 3 photocopies of the applicant’s passport documents.
• Income proof for the authorities.
• Proof of the applicant’s financial stability.
• As many bank or tax records and pay stubs as possible.
• The applicant’s Visa Photograph of the United States. Please make sure that it is a recent photo of the applicant (a maximum of 6 months old).
• Confirmation letter from the Interview of the applicant.
• The receipts prove that the applicant has no fee due related to the application process.

• One copy of the applicant’s respective F1 visa holder’s I-20 form.
• One copy of the respective F1 visa.
• If the applicant for the F2 Visa is carrying out the process independently, then they have to submit a copy of their respective F1 visa holder’s passport.
• Original Application Form (I-20) of the applicant, along with one copy.
• The applicant and the F1 Visa holder’s original marriage certificate if the applicant is a spouse.
• Now, in addition to this, the applicant will also need to provide the following:
• A legal and genuine proof of their marriage.
• This can include the following.
• Their wedding album.
• A list of their wedding guests.
• Records of money spent on wedding-related things.
• All records of money spent on honeymoon trips.
• If it was a registry marriage that took place at the registrar’s office, the applicant has to submit some details regarding the legal procedure. 
• The wedding affidavit will be a definite requirement. 
• The applicant can also submit pictures of you and your spouse at the wedding along with witnesses.

Also, the applicant will have to submit the original birth certificate if they are the child of the F1 visa holder.

How To Apply for the F2 Visa?

If you want to apply for an F2 Visa, the process is very simple. Let us look at the steps you can follow to ensure a smooth procedure.

Step 1: Get Hold Of a Form I-20

The first step when applying for an F2 type of visa is to get a form called Form I-20. You can get it from the educational institution where your respective F1 visa holder is studying. 

• The institution’s Designated School Official (DSO) is in charge of issuing this form. 
• This form is to state that the F1 student is genuinely eligible and a part of the educational program.

Step 2: Fill Out The Form

Right after the F1 visa holder enrolls into an SEVP institution, the educational institution makes Form I-20 available for them. 

• The I-20 form has details on the purpose of the visa, the potential expenses of the degree, and the years that the program will take to complete. 

If the dependents of the F1 visa holder are getting an F2 visa, the F1 holder will have to keep the SEVP institution in the loop. 

Step 3: Get The F2 Form

Now after the F1 holder has duly carried out this process, the SEVP institution will release a separate form I-20 for the dependents, that is, the potential F-2 visa holder. 

• Each person who wishes to apply for the F2 category will have to collect the form. 
• Next, the applicant will fill out this form and go through the same procedure as other visa applicants.  

Step 4: Filling Out Form DS-160 Online

The applicant can choose to fill in Form DS-160 online. DS-160 needs to have correct and factually relevant information. 

• After the form submission goes correctly, the applicant will receive a barcode from the page. 
• This barcode will signify confirmation which they will keep for later use. 

Step 5: Pay The F2 Fee

Like most other visas, the applicant has to pay a F-2 fee of $185. 

• If the applicant does not pay this fee, they will not be able to proceed with the application. 
• After they have made the payment, they will get a receipt. The receipt serves as proof that they have paid. 
• Additional fees could also add up depending upon which US Embassy they apply from. For example, there can be visa issuance fees or reciprocity fees.

Similarly, the F1 visa holder has to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (the F-2 visa applicant does not have to pay it).

Step 6: Fix An Interview Date

If you are an F2 applicant, try to apply at the same time as your corresponding F1 applicant. However, you can also apply separately. 

• A lot of F2 applicants find that it is easier if they apply for the visa interview simultaneously. Hence, we recommend this.
• For the applicants going through the process separately, they may have to apply for their own visa interview. 
• When the designated officials schedule their interview, they will get an interview confirmation letter. 

This letter will serve as proof to the Embassy officials when they make an appointment. 

Step 7: Keep The Documents Handy

The next step for the applicant is to gather all relevant documents. 

• This part is essential for the interview. The applicant’s file should contain all the necessary documents which are listed under the requisites of the interview. 
• If any of them is missing, the application could get canceled.
• Now the applicant has to attend the interview on time. The officials will ask them questions (visa interview) about the relationship they have with the F1 visa holder. 

Their intentions for being in the United States, their reasons, and all of the details will be the subject of the interview. The applicant has to be very careful because wrong answers could mean that their visa is canceled. 

Also, if the visa interview has reasons to believe that the applicant is hiding something, it will result in a denial.

Prepare Yourself For The F2 Interview

During an F-2 visa interview, all applicants are to answer the questions that the officials at the embassy ask them. 

Their answers will determine the eligibility and intentions of the applicant. Let us tell you about some of the questions. 

Questions

They may ask you, the applicant:

a.  The nature of your relationship to your respective F1 visa holder.

b.  Whether you can give proof of your relationship to back up your claim. Ideally, you can show your marriage certificate or birth certificate to best prove your relationship.

c.  If you are planning to study in a U.S. school or university, full-time or part-time.

d.  Why you want to visit the United States.

e.  If you are capable of supporting yourself during your stay in the US.

f.   Do you have any family members in the United States?

g.  If you have been to the United States before.

h.  Your reason to return to your homeland after your stay.

i.   Your details on health insurance coverage while in the US.

Please remember to answer the questions honestly and do not cause the officials to have doubts about you. 

Why Is Your Visa Taking So Much Time?

The processing time for the F2 visa can vary due to different circumstances. For example, if there are multiple applicants within a short period of time, tell me if there is a delay from the US embassy. 

Nitty Gritty

After an applicant’s interview goes successfully, they might immediately get a response. However, they might also have to wait for a few days or weeks. This can happen if there are certain factors the embassy officials have to take into consideration. 

Why Such Time?

If you are an applicant wondering what is taking this much time, we can help you

The officials will take their time to go over each and every document and your responses in the interview. 

Other Issues

The financial situation of the F1 visa holder is a particular issue. For example, if the visa holder will not be able to cover your expenses while you are in the US, it can be a complicated situation. 

Delays

There are various factors that can cause a delay in the processing of your F2 visa.

• Sometimes a United States Embassy will need to do extra time to conduct thorough background checks on your application.
• It is also possible that the application is incomplete regarding certain parts of it.
• Your security clearance process will take a few days as well.
• You should keep in mind that visa applications could be overflowing at the embassy right now. Therefore this will only lead to a delay.
• It is human to make errors. Officials in the consulate or the embassy can run into errors, which will take time to fix. 

Other reasons for delays may include administrator backlogs, documentation requests, delays in interviews, etc.

What Are The Things That Your F2 Visa Permits You To Do?

So, What Can You Do With an F2 Visa? By now, you must have understood that the F2 visa is directly related to the F1 visa. So, As long as the respective F1 Visa is valid, the F-2 Visa will enjoy a valid status. If it is a spouse on the F1 visa who is to stay for 2 years, then the dependant can only stay for 2 years as well.

Now let’s see what you can do while you have the F-2 visa.

Perks

The different visas in the United States come with different perks. The F2 category of visa lets you live in the United States for as long as the F1 visa stays valid.

• The visa holder of the F2 category is free to enroll in schools, colleges, or universities in the United States. 
• However, this comes with a catch because F2 visa holders can only study part-time and not full-time in this status.
• If you are a holder of the F2 category of visa, you can make financial transactions and even open a bank account in the United States.
• An F2 visa holder can travel out of the United States and into it whenever they wish. 
• They have access to medical treatment and health care services in the United States.
• The visa holder can also get a driver’s license in almost all states of the country.

Please remember that you can do all of the things that we mentioned above as long as your F2 visa is valid. 

Final Word: What You Cannot Do While On An F2 Visa

The F2 visa in the USA does not permit certain things for the holder.

• They cannot work in the United States. Work visas are different This includes both on and off-campus employment opportunities from their educational institutions. 
• However, a person can be a volunteer in certain places and take part in unpaid forms of internship.
• An app to the category of visa does not allow the holder to study full-time in any educational institution in the United States. Only an F1 category of visa allows that.
• F2 visa holders cannot apply for a social security number under the laws of the United States. 
• In case there is an exception for them where they can work, they will have to pay taxes. Only in these exceptional cases will a person be getting a social security number along with an F2 visa.

If you hold an F2 category visa, you can consult with an immigration attorney who is an expert on US citizenship. They can advise you on what your rights are as an F-2 visa holder. 

We hope you found the article helpful. Please let us know in the comments below.

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