F2 Visa/ Visa for Dependents for Citizens of Nigeria

Holding the US nonimmigrant F2 visa means that you are a dependent of a family member who is an F1 student visa holder. You must also live with the F1 student visa holder when you arrive in the US.

When I speak of a family member, I mean your spouse or an unmarried child under age 21. As a dependent, you may have to withhold your F2 US visa application until the family member is granted the F1 visa. 

More so, when it is your time to apply for this visa, you will need to gather and put a lot of documents together. Your smooth application as a dependent begins from reading this guide on everything you must know before applying for an F2 visa from Nigeria and as a Nigerian. I will also give you tips on what to do so that you don’t get your visa denied.

What makes you eligible for a US F2 visa?

Before you qualify as an F2 dependent visa holder, you must fulfill these criteria:

• Either your legal wife/husband/partner has a valid F1 visa.
• Be a child of an F1 visa holder; you must be under 21.
• Have the financial capacity to support yourself and your family throughout your stay in the US.

How much is F2 visa application fee?

Anyone applying for the United States nonimmigrant F2 dependent visa in March 2024 from Nigeria will pay the application fee of 288,786 Nigerian Naira. The fee does not generally cover all dependents moving with the F1 visa holder.

Every dependent with a passport must apply for this visa and pay the accompanying visa application fee. This step kicks off the visa process, and if you are successful, you can move to the US and stay.

How long can an F2 visa holder stay in the USA?

All F2 dependent visa holders can stay in the US as long as the F1 visa holder is still in status. As a dependent, you can travel outside of the US and go back without restrictions, but you may not be permitted to take up employment or even study for a degree.

Suppose the F1 visa holder’s studies span two years; they and their dependents legally stay until the education is done and the F1 visa expires. Once the F1 visa expires, the F2 visa immediately goes out of status, too, and everyone will be mandated to leave the country.

Can I convert my F2 US visa to a work permit?

The visa rules for an F2 dependent state that you, as a dependent, are not permitted to take up any employment until the primary visa holder is done with his or her studies and you return to your country. If you plan to take up employment, you must follow due process.

Firstly, you and your primary F1 visa holder can talk with your lawyer to guide you on the best way to apply for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and fill out Form I-485. The Form I-485 contains the petition for permanent residency.

If not properly guided, the petition can be thrown out, and your employment card denied. However, suppose your lawyer or attorney guides you properly. In that case, your petition may be accepted, and you will receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card), but you will lose your F2 dependent status.

Also Read:  H1B Visa Requirements and Application in Nigeria

What requirement is needed for an F2 US visa from Nigeria

The following documents are what you will assemble for your application

• You must provide proof of enough funds to support yourself and your primary F1 visa holder during your stay in the US. This evidence may include your pay slips, bank statements, or tax records.
• Passport-sized photographs that are not up to six months
• Valid passport with blank pages
• Form DS-160
• Form l-120. Original and photocopy. This is after the primary F1 US visa holder informs his Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) institution in the US that they are coming along with dependents. The university or institution will get all the necessary documents and input the correct information on the Form l-20 before sending it to the F1 visa holder.
• Your marriage certificate to the F1 visa holder to prove you are the legal spouse and other marital proofs like wedding and family pictures
• Your birth certificate to prove that you are an offspring of the F1 visa holder
• If you are applying with the visa holder, include a photocopy of the F1 visa. If you are applying alone, include the passport of the F1 US visa holder.
• Any other visa application payment receipts

How to apply for an F2 US visa?

For the proper application, these are the steps to take

• Correctly fill out Form DS-160 online and submit it. Wait for the barcode to appear on the page. Save it for your application.
• Collect the Form I-20 from the primary visa holder
• Gather every other document I mentioned in the requirements
• Pay your visa fee
• Locate the closest US embassy
• Pay any other required fee
• Schedule an interview date
• Attend your interview on time and in a relaxed mood
• Go along with the F1 primary visa holder if you are applying at the same time.

How to avoid F2 visa application rejection

A couple of things might cause the embassy to deny your visa. Therefore, you need to be cautious and transparent during this important application process.

During your interview, ensure you provide strong family ties back in Nigeria. Convince your interviewer that you will surely return to Nigeria after the end of the F1 visa date. Visas are mostly denied at this point because many people do not give strong reasons, and the interviewer will conclude that you will not return home when the visa expires.

More so, ensure you have enough funds and show the proof. The embassy wouldn’t want you to enter the US and become stranded.

Have a clean slate. You have not broken the law in Nigeria and other countries you have once traveled to. A criminal record can put an end to your travel plans.

Another thing to avoid is having any ban from a country you visited once. The embassy and immigration authorities are extremely sensitive to this information. This is why you must ensure complete obedience to the rules of any country you travel to.

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