My family might be moving to the US on an F2 visa. I'm wondering if I'm allowed to study on that visa. Are there any restrictions or steps I need to follow? Would love to hear any experiences or advice!
The F2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows dependent spouses and children of F1 visa holders to enter into the U.S. As an F2 visa holder, you are allowed to study in the U.S., but there are certain restrictions.
If you are at the elementary or secondary school level (K-12), you can attend school full time without any issues. However, if you're pursuing post-secondary education like college or university, you're only permitted to study part-time. It's important to remember that "part-time" is determined by the American institution you would be attending, and this definition can vary. Generally, it's less than 12 credit hours per semester.
If you wish to study full-time at a U.S. university or college, you will need to change your visa status to an F1 student visa before starting your course of study. This process involves filing a Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status," with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying the applicable fee.
One important caveat to keep in mind: changing from F2 to F1 status can take several months, and you cannot begin full-time study until the change is approved. Also, remember that maintaining full-time student status is a key requirement of the F1 visa.
Remember, it's always best to check with a college's international students office or a legal professional to get accurate, timely information that applies to your specific situation.
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