US F1,F2 Visa

International students are awarded Study Visa F-1 for full-time courses at Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) accredited universities in the USA. To migrate to the USA for studies, students must apply for an F1 Student Visa. The USA student visa costs approximately $185 to $800, depending on your country of origin. The visa costs may change as per the rules and regulations. So, check the USA Visa fee before applying for studies. Make sure to apply for a USA student visa at least four months before you are planning to move.

Eligibility requirements for students in US universities:

• Students must be over 18 years of age.
• International students can work on campus for up to 20 hours/week or less during the academic terms and full-time during the literary break periods, including the summertime.
• Off-campus employment requires some form of written or documented authorization issued by either the USCIS or OISS.
• To be eligible for any form of off-campus employment, you must be currently in legal status and have been enrolled as a student on an F-1 student visa in the US for at least one academic year.

After you graduate:

• F1 Student Visa holders are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT (optional practical training) after graduation. This means they can work for a year after finishing their studies.
• It is temporary employment permission allowing students to gain practical experience in their field of study.
• After that, you must apply for a work visa to continue working in the US. However, you can remain in the US for up to 60 days after completing a course at a US university, even if you don't have a job offer or haven't applied for OPT.

Student dependent visa

The student-dependent Visa is called the F2 visa. It is a non-immigrant dependent visa for the immediate family members of F1 student visa holders. Dependents include the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the individual who is studying in the US. Eligibility conditions for the F2 visa

• Must be the spouse of an F1 student visa holder.
• Must be the dependent child (under 21 years and unmarried) of an F1 visa holder.
• Applicant must have enough financial resources to support the family in the US.

Benefits of F2 visa

If the primary F1 student visa holder extends his / her stay, then the F2 visa dependents are also automatically eligible to apply for the extension. Filing Form I-539 and proof of financial status are enough to renew the F2 visa.

Change of visa status You can enter the US on an F2 visa and subsequently request a change of visa status to F1 by enrolling in a US university or finding an appropriate job. Getting a Green Card

While you get a Green Card automatically when your primary F1 visa holder receives one, you are also eligible to apply for one on your own. You can change your visa status to one that allows for dual purposes (e.g., an L1 visa) and then apply for a Green Card. If you find employment, you become eligible for a Green Card. Access to healthcare

F2 visa holders have access to medical services and hospitals in the US. However, buying a health insurance plan makes sense to cover the high healthcare costs if you plan on an extended stay or expect a medical situation.

F2 visa restrictions

• No permission to work
• Not eligible for Social Security Number
• Not allowed to pursue higher education
• Cannot enter the US before the F1 student visa holder
• You can't get a Social Security Number (SSN) because you are not eligible to work.
• You can't get employment in the United States on an F2 visa, but you can do unpaid volunteer work.
• You cannot pursue a bachelor's or master's degree program at a US university on an F2 visa, but you are eligible for recreational and vocational training courses. Dependent children on an F2 visa can complete primary, middle, and high school education. To pursue higher studies, you must apply for a visa status change.
• It would be best if the primary F1 visa holder accompanied you or flew later after you for first-time travel to the US on an F2 visa. You can't enter the United States before the F1 visa holder. This only applies when first entering the US and not for subsequent travel.