Things to Know About the US Student Family (F2) Visa
The American F2 visa is a type of visa that is given to the dependent family members of people who go to the USA with an F1 student visa and allows these people to live in the USA temporarily.
F2 visa applications can only be made by spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of those who have received an American F1 visa .
Eligibility for US Visa Application for Student Family
If you want to apply for a US visa as a student family member, you must register with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), obtain individual Form I-20s from SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), and apply for a visa.
The F2 visa is directly related to the requirements of the F1 visa holder. To obtain an F2 visa, you must meet the requirements and complete the application procedures.
How to Apply for F2 Visa?
To obtain an American F2 visa, fill out the nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-160) online at ceac.state.gov. In the travel information section of the DS-160 form, select the “Academic or Language Student (F)” and “Spouse/Child of an F1 (F2)” options, respectively. In the rest of the same section, specify the first and last name of the main F1 visa holder.
The screenshot for the USA F2 visa application is given below.
After completing the DS-160 application form, pay the $160 Group F visa fee and make an online visa appointment at the US consulates in Ankara or Istanbul. Complete the visa fee payment and appointment procedures at ais.usvisa-info.com/en-tr/niv.
You will complete the F2 visa application process by submitting your visa application documents, providing your biometric record, and having an interview with a Consulate officer at the Consulate on the appointment date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions frequently asked to our experts about the American student relative (F2 visa) are answered below.
What are the Required Documents for the USA F2 Visa?
For the US student family visa, please submit the following documents along with your standard visa application documents.
- Original I-20 form
- Photocopy of the F1 visa holder’s visa
- Photocopy of the F1 visa holder’s I-20 form
- Marriage certificate if you are the spouse of an F1 visa holder
- Birth certificate if you are a child of an F1 visa holder
- Passport copy of your spouse/parent
How Long Can I Stay in the USA with a Student Family F2 Visa?
The F2 visa has the same validity as the F1 visa, as it is directly related to it. In this context, if your family member with an F1 visa will stay in the US for 2 years, you can also stay in the US for 2 years.
How can I renew my F2 visa in the USA?
If an F1 visa holder extends their stay in the United States by obtaining a new Form I-20, you, as their dependent, will also receive a renewal.
To renew your F2 visa, you must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. You must provide proof of your relationship to the F1 visa holder and financial evidence that you have enough money to cover your stay in the US for visa renewal .
Do F2 Visa Students Have the Right to Study and Work in the USA?
As an F-2 spouse, you are not eligible to attend full-time education, and an F-2 child is only eligible to attend full-time elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade) education, and you cannot hold paid employment while in the United States.