F2 Visa (Family Members of F1 Visa Holders)

Texas F-2 Visa Attorneys

F-2 visas are issued to the spouse and minor children (under 21 years old) of foreign students granted F-1 visas. The F-2 visa is used to allow these family members to accompany the foreign student to the U.S. while he/she is studying.

1. ELIGIBILITY:

To obtain an F-2 visa, you must show that your spouse or minor children are your dependents and that you have enough finances to support them during your stay as a student in the U.S. To get the F-2 visa, your spouse/children can accompany you to the Embassy or Consulate when you go to apply for your F-1 visa. They would need to prove their relationship to you (example, marriage certificate). If your spouse/children plan to follow at a later date to join you in the U.S., they would need to take a copy of your I-20 Form as well as proof of their relationship to you to the Embassy or Consulate to apply for the F-2 visa.

2. CRITERIA:

In order to apply for an F-2 visa, the dependents must have the following:

• A valid passport;
• Proof that F-2 applicants and/or their spouse have sufficient financial resources to meet all of their expenses while in the USA. For example, bank statements, affidavits of support, etc;
• A valid Form I-20 or DS-2019. This form should be submitted to the International Office with all required certification. The issue date on these forms needs to be after the date of marriage in order for the spouse to apply for a visa;
• A marriage or birth certificate showing the relationship to the F-1 student

3. PRIVILEGES ON AN F-2 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. continuously as long as you maintain valid F-2 status.

4. DURATION:

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.

5. WORK ON F-2 VISA:

You may not take up paid employment while in the U.S. on F-2 visa.

6. STUDY IN THE U.S. ON AN F-2 VISA:

Your spouse can study part time on an F-2 visa and your minor children can study full time up to 12th grade. However, a person on an F-2 visa must apply for a work visa to work in the U.S. and cannot receive financial aid.

Visa processing can be difficult and confusing. If you would like the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney, please contact the firm by e-mail or call our offices. Bertolino LLP maintains offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To reach an immigration law attorney in the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the San Antonio office, call 210.223.5553. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474.