US dependent visa

Various visa holders are permitted to bring their families to the United States under the US dependent visa category. Students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and others can bring their dependents to the US under various visa categories. The following are some of the most common dependent visa categories:

• F2 Visa: This visa is for dependents of F1 visa holders in the US to study. F2 visa holders cannot work or study in the US
• H4 Visa: This visa is issued to family members of H-1B visa holders and allows visa holders to work and study in the US

This is the most popular category of dependent visa issued in the USA

An H4 visa is a non-immigrant dependent visa. The visa does not confer permanent status, but it allows the holder to live, study, and work in the US.

Eligibility requirements

The applicants of the visa can be:

Spouse of the H type visa holder

Children under the age of 21 whose parent is a H visa holder

Validity of H4 visa

The sponsor’s visa, often known as the major applicant, determines the visa’s validity.

The H form visa-holding spouse or parent usually pays for the visa. The H4 visa becomes void when the sponsor’s visa expires.

H4 visa holders can do the following:

• Get a driver’s license
• Have opportunities to study in the US
• Qualify for financial services, such as banking and an H4 visa loan
• Can work part-time, full-time, or not at all.
• The holder of an H4 visa is free to start any type of business.
• Even if the H4 visa holder does not seek jobs, he will still be eligible for EAD.

Documents required

• US visa interview appointment letter
• A valid passport
• Copy of the primary visa holder’s passport
• Photograph of the primary visa holder and applicant together
• Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
• Confirmation page of the online DS-160 form
• Visa fees receipt from the relevant bank
• A copy of the primary visa holder’s form I-797
• A letter from the primary visa holder’s employer stating the nature of the relationship between the primary visa holder and employer
• Pay stubs from the primary visa holder’s current place of work
• Original marriage certificate
• Original birth certificates of children

F2 visa

The F2 visa is a non-immigrant dependent visa that allows immediate family members of F1 student visa holders to visit the country. The spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are considered dependents.

Eligibility requirements

• 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 sufficient financial resources to support his or her family in the United States.

F2 visa holders cannot do the following

• Work in the US
• Study in the US
• Cannot have a social security number

Documents required

• Passport (both original and photocopies)
• Visa application confirmation (DS-160)
• A photograph conforming to U.S. visa rules
• Birth certificate for dependent children
• Marriage certificate for spouses
• Visa fee payment receipt
• Applicant’s I-20 form
• Copy of F1 visa holder’s I-20 form
• Applicant’s bank statements, tax records, and employment documents as proof of financial stability

Application process for dependent visas

1. Get the form I-20 (for F-2 visa)
2. Submit the Form DS-160
3. Pay the visa fees
4. Submit the required documents
5. Schedule the visa interview
6. Submit the required documents
7. Attend the visa interview