F2 Visa for Irish Citizens

Children may engage in full-time elementary school or secondary school, defined as kindergarten through grade twelve.

Adult dependents may pursue non-vocational or recreational courses. However, they cannot pursue other types of accredited education nor accept paid employment in the US.

You can not work in the US under an F2 Dependent Visa. However, you may choose to do volunteer or unpaid work without being employed. You are not eligible to register for a Social Security Number (SSN), you can only get an ITIN number for tax purposes.

The application process for the F2 Visa involves several steps, some of which can be completed online and some which must be in person.

• Get a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.
• Fill in Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application online or at a US consulate.
• Pay the F2 Dependent Visa fee.
• Schedule an F2 Visa interview.
• Gather all required documentation.
• Attend your interview at a US embassy or consulate.

The Application Process

F2 Dependent Visa applicants can file their petition together with the main F1 Student Visa applicant or choose to apply at a later time. They may not travel to the United States before the F1 Student Visa holder does so.

Before you as the dependent of the F1 Visa holder can actually apply for an F2 visa, the USCIS must approve the main F1 Visa for the student.

After that, you can begin the process by submitting Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are currently in the US on another type of visa or permit, you are able to change your immigration status to an F2 Visa.

You can also apply at a United States consulate by filling in a Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). Your application package must include all of your supporting documentation as well as a valid passport and a copy of your marriage or birth certificate.

You will be required to provide a number of documents to support your application for the F2 Dependent Visa. These can include:

• Proof that you possess sufficient funds to support your family for the duration of your stay in the United States. This can include bank statements, pay stubs, and tax records.
• Proof that you plan to return to your home residence when the F1 student visa holder’s education is completed, such as a plane ticket.
• Proof of significant ties to your home country that show you intend to return, such as a mortgage or lease.
• For Spouses; copy of the marriage certificate.
• For Children; a copy of the birth certificate or adoption papers.
• Current and previous passports.
• Photocopies of your passport pages.
• The confirmation page from form DS-160.
• The original Form I-20 and an extra copy
• Copy of the F1 student visa holder’s I-20 form.
• Copy of the F1 student visa.
• If you are applying separately, provide a copy of the F1 visa holder’s passport.
• A colour photo of each applicant taken within the last six months, measuring 37 x 37mm with the entire face visible
• Visa interview confirmation letter.
• The receipt of the payment for the visa application.

As an F2 dependent visa applicant, you may apply at the same time as the F1 student visa applicant, or you can apply separately. If you are applying together, you can choose to schedule the visa interviews at the same time.

Attending the interview together is recommended when you have applied together. If you are applying separately, you need to schedule your own visa interview.

Once your interview is scheduled, you will receive an interview confirmation letter which you will need to bring to your interview appointment to show to officials.

You will also need to bring your file of required documentation. It is important to ensure that there are no documents missing or incomplete as this could cause your visa application to be rejected.

At the interview,  you will be asked questions regarding your relationship with the F1 Student Visa holder and your intentions for coming to the United States. Answer the questions honestly and truthfully because if you provide false information, your application will likely be denied.

If you have any questions about this visa, need advice, or assistance with applying for the F2 visa, please call us on (+353) 061 518 025 today. You can also send us an email at info@total.law or chat with us via live chat.

Processing time can be sped up by submitting all documentation and following all the application process steps correctly. You may get a response immediately following your visa interview, but it is most common that there will be a wait time of several days to several weeks while they analyze your application and supporting documents, depending on how busy the embassy is.

For assistance with the F2 visa, contact our immigration lawyers today. Call us at (+353) 061 518 025 or contact us online via live chat.

If your visa is approved then you are free to travel to the United States to join the F1 Student Visa holder. Once your visa is approved your passport will be returned to you within a few days.

Note that you cannot travel to the United States before the F1 Student Visa holder has entered the country. However, there are no other travel restrictions on an F2 visa after you enter the US for the first time. Once you enter you may travel in and out of the country anytime without being accompanied by the F1 student visa holder, so long as you maintain valid visa status.

As long as the F1 Student Visa holder maintains their status as a student, the F2 Dependent Visa holder is not required to seek an extension. When the student’s course of study is over, the associated visa holders must leave the United States.

As long as the applicant meets the necessary requirements, the F1 Student Visa status can be renewed. F2 Dependent Visa holders can stay in the US up to the expiration date printed on the F1 Student Visa permit.

The F2 Dependent Visa is a nonimmigrant permit, meaning that it cannot lead to obtaining a Green Card. However, you may wish to change your status while you are in the United States on an F2 Dependent Visa.

In the event that the F1 Student Visa holder is approved for a green card, you as a dependent on an F2 Dependent Visa will automatically be eligible for a green card too. You may also choose to apply for a green card yourself.

If you find a US employer to sponsor you and wish to change your status to take up activities that are not permitted under the F2 Visa, you may apply for a change of status but you are not permitted to begin the new activity until the time that the change of status is approved.

As long as the terms of your visa have not been violated, you should be able to change your immigrant status without leaving the country. However, keep in mind that if you decide to travel out of the country prior to receiving the new visa and after your F2 Dependent Visa expiration date, you may not be able to re-enter the US.

The F2 Dependent Visa has an application fee of $160. You must pay this fee to be able to receive the F2 Dependent Visa and travel to the US. When you pay the fee you will receive a receipt that you will need to bring to your visa interview.

There may be additional fees depending on your unique situation. Some additional fees may be associated with obtaining documents from a third party such as an accountant, or hiring a translator for foreign documents.