F-2 Visa for Nigerians

Want to Be Reunited With Your Family?

We have successfully assisted numerous Nigerians in reuniting them with their families in the US. If you need help with your F-2 visa we can support you with your application. Let us handle all the complexities and make your travel plans as stress-free as possible.

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Overview of the F-2 Visa

The F-2 visa is one of U.S.’ nonimmigrant visas, which allows the spouse or unmarried child of an F-1 student visa holder to live in the United States.

The spouse or unmarried child can come to the U.S. and live with the student as a dependent until they finish their studies.

Before the F-2 visa is granted, the applicant must meet certain financial and eligibility requirements.

The F-2 visa will allow the dependent to stay in the US., study part-time and travel in and out of the U.S. as long as the family member still holds the F-1 status.

There is no cap on the number of F-2 visas approved by the USCIS each year. If the applicant meets the criteria, their application will be considered.

Eligibility Requirements for Nigerian Dependents

You must meet certain eligibility requirements before applying for an F-2 visa.

Firstly, you must have a family member who holds or has applied for an F-1 student visa.

You must also either be:

• The spouse of the student on an F-1 visa, or
• Under 21, unmarried and the child of the student on an F-1 visa.

Additionally, you must

• Show that you can support yourself and any other dependent travelling with you. How much funds to show for F2 visa depends on the amount stated in Form I-120.
• Prove that you intend to return to Nigeria at the end of the student’s s

What Are the Required Documents?

When applying for the F-2 visa, you are required to present certain documents. Here are some of them:

• Your ECOWAS passport. This passport should still be valid for at least 6 months after the visa expires. Every dependent applying for the visa must present their passport.
• The confirmation page of Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Online Visa Application.
• Your receipt of the application fee payment.
• Your interview appointment letter.
• Your photograph taken no earlier than 6 months before your interview date.
• Your Form I-120, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrants (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students from the school. Every dependent must present their own Form I-120.
• The interview fee receipt.
• One copy of the F-1 visa holder’s Form I-120.
• One copy of the F-1 visa holder’s passport.
• One copy of the F-1 visa holder’s visa if they are already in the U.S.
• Proof of relationship with the F-1 visa holder. This could be a wedding affidavit, marriage or birth certificate.

How to Apply for the F-2 Visa

Overview

Like many U.S. visas, the F-2 dependent visa application is divided into three stages. First, your spouse or parent who is the F-1 visa holder must obtain Form I-120 for you and your dependents, if any.

Secondly, you must apply for the F-2 visa online.

Lastly, you must attend an interview with the U.S. Consulate in Lagos or Embassy in Abuja.

Form I-120, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status

The first step for your F-2 visa application starts with the F1 visa holder getting Form 1-120. Form I-120 is obtained from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school.

Your family member must request this from the Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO outlines the purpose of the visa, the financial cost and how long the study program will last.

The institution will now issue a signed Form I-120 for each dependent on the student’s lists. Upon receipt of Form I-120, you can now proceed to the next stage.

File Form DS-160 Online

With Form I-120, you can now complete Form DS-160 online. You must visit the U.S. embassy’s website to do this. Upon completing the form, USCIS receives all your personal information.

Having all your documents handy when making the online application is advisable.

Note that the application page times out after a period of inactivity. You will need to sign in with your code to continue your application.

You must not complete the application in one sitting, but you have to do so within 30 days.

Upon completion and submission, you will see a confirmation page with a barcode. You have to sign this page, print it and then take it to your visa interview.

Schedule an Interview

This is the last step when applying for an F-2 visa. You must attend a visa interview. Before doing so, you must have paid the visa application fee. The receipt of this payment is one of the documents you have to present at the interview.

Applicants who are less than 14 are generally exempt from the interview.

You can do F1 and F2 visa interviews together with your spouse or parent. And this is usually ideal so you and the intending student can schedule an interview together.

Due to the volume of applications, it is vital to schedule your interview early enough. Wait times also vary for each Embassy or Consulate.

F-2 visa interview questions are designed to determine if the reasons why you want to go to the U.S. are valid. Be prepared to submit digital prints and other supporting documents during the interview.

After your F-2 visa is approved, you can now make your trip to the U.S.

If you are travelling to the United States for the first time on an F-2 visa, you must either travel with them or after them.

Where to Schedule Your Visa Interview in Nigeria

You can schedule an interview at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos. Alternatively, you can do this at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja at 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja.

What Are the Visa Fees And Processing Times

F2 Visa Processing Times

After the F-1 study visa holder applies for Form I-120, it takes 7 working days to get the signed form. This will be forwarded to the USCIS.

Due to interview appointment wait times, it can take from 3 to 14 days to get a decision on the application. There is no specific appointment wait time as it varies from one embassy to another.

After the visa is approved, your passport will take 7 to 10 days to get to you.

F-2 Visa Fees

You will need to pay $190 when filing Form DS-160.

You will also pay $185 as visa application fees.

Note that you will pay these fees for every dependent travelling with you

What Are the Limitations of an F-2 Visa?

The F-2 visa is tied to the F-1 visa, so there are limitations regarding what you can do.

You can travel in and out of the U.S. and also enrol in part-time study. You are not permitted to get into full-time study as a spouse. Dependent children who are of school age can attend K-12 schools in the U.S. For the dependent children to attend high school, they must first adjust their status.

You cannot also work with an F-2 visa. If you must work, then it must be unpaid or volunteer work.

You cannot also get a social security number because you are not permitted to work.

Do I Have Access to Healthcare as an F-2 Visa Holder?

As an F-2 visa holder, you have access to healthcare, but note that the cost of healthcare may be too high for you if you do not have insurance.

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Can I Renew an F-2 Visa?

It is possible to renew an F-2 visa if you meet the eligibility requirements. And the requirement is that the F-1 visa holder must have gotten a renewal also. To renew an F-2 visa, you must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

While filing Form I-539, you must also show that you are related to the F-1 visa holder. The documents you presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria to prove your relationship will usually suffice.

Lastly, you must also show the USCIS that you have enough funds to take care of you and your dependents, if any.

Can an F-2 Visa Holder Apply for a Green Card?

There are two pathways for you to get a green card as an F-2 visa holder. The first pathway is via the dependent route. If your family member on an F-1 visa gets a green card, you automatically qualify for a green card too.

Alternatively, you can apply for a green card for yourself. To do this, you must have an employer who is ready to sponsor you. If you don’t have a sponsor, you must adjust your status to another visa before applying for a green card.

Can an F-2 Visa Holder Adjust their Status?

An F-2 visa holder can adjust their status in the U.S. If you want to study in the U.S., you must apply to a SEVP-accredited school. After that, you can apply for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485.

You can study in the U.S. without restrictions if your application is approved.

How Long is an F-2 Visa Valid?

The F-2 visa is valid for as long as the F-1 student visa is valid. Once the F-1 visa expires, you will need to return to Nigeria with the F-1 visa holder.

How Can IAS Help with F-2 Visa Application?

If you want to apply for an F-2 visa, IAS can help. We know that the U.S. visa application process is lengthy, complex, and daunting for most people. We can help you make sense of the application process and also help you prepare your documents.

We can help you make an error-free application so you don’t risk rejection and separation from your loved one.

IAS has a team of expert lawyers with experience dealing with all kinds of U.S. visa applications. We have helped many Nigerians achieve their dreams of going to the U.S.

We have the tools and expertise to assist you, regardless of your personal circumstances or the complexity of your case. We can also help you appeal in case you have a visa denial.

Whether you’re looking for assistance with the US F-2 visa requirements, want to apply for a totally different U.S. visa or are interested in speaking with an immigration expert, we can help. Our team in Lagos is made up of expert immigration lawyers who can guide you through the application process.

For more information about the services we provide and how we can help you, reach out to a member of our team today. Call us at +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929 or contact us online today.