From: subhas@cs.wm.edu (Subhas Roy) Subject: F-2 Visa Info Summary Message-ID: <1993Oct16.083700.20240@cs.wm.edu> Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1993 08:37:00 GMT Lines: 121 [ This is an edited summary of responses from successful F-1 guys. Thanks to them for sharing their experiences. -SR ] =============== HOW TO GET F-2 FOR YOUR SPOUSE ============= DOCUMENTS to take to the US consulate: ------------------------------------- ==> Passports: - Her passport - your original passport (if you accompany her) or notaraized copy of the relevant pages of your passport. ==> I-20 from your university clearly indicating: - her name and date of birth - the duration of your study - expenses for married living - the amount univ is paying for working as a TA/RA. ==> Proof of financial ability to support married living: - I-20: Should show the expenses, RA/TA salary - Academic advisor's letter: it should corroborate about RA/TA money - US Bank: Bank statement from US showing atleast $4K-6K balance. (as the one year's expense of the spouse.) - Local Bank: Bank statement from banks in your country for any remaining amount at may be required for your yearly married living expenses. ==> Proof of marriage: - Marriage certificate from an authorized agency - Marriage photographs - videotape of the marriage - wedding card ==> Proof of bona-fide full-time F-1 student status: - I-20: indicating duration of study - letter from international student advisor: certifying the status - Letter from academic advisor: certifying the good standing and remaining time of finishing the degree. ==> Proof of intent of returning back after study: - she WILL come back! -- A declaration by wife on affidavit stamped paper... stating that she is going to US with the sole purpose of joining/helping her husband but not to pursue higher studies or a career. - Property/asset in country is too lucrative to forsake : certified documents of large amount of assets in your country - good job/business prospect in the country after study : letter(s) of offer(s) from Industry ==> Valid reasons for taking her to USA (during her interview): - she will only help her husband and not to advance her own career - husband has emotional needs to bring her to US - otherwise there will be a too long separation period WARNINGS: --------- -- If you are about to complete your studies (like one semester to go) then there can be some trouble. -- A tricky situation may arise if your wife is reasonably educated. It may or may not matter. If she is educated, then they might think that she will continue her studies once she is in USA and the likelihood of the couple immigrating, which they want to discourage. It seems to me that it is better to say that she will be helping her husband and will not continue her studies. But the issue will become somewhat complex if your wife's F-1 was rejected by any chance. Then it will be difficult to convince to them that she will not go to school once she is here. -- About refusal of F-1 and applying for F-2, they may be suspicious and may ask about if the person applying for F-2 was married or not at the time of applying for F-1. If yes then it might be a problem. In any case, the person should be well prepared with answers as they may interview longer in this case. Questions like what U will do in US as F-2 and plans of coming back etc. F-2s probably (true?) can not accept any Assistantship or employment. So If they ask question about studying , the person should be careful before saying that she will go to school, as their next question can be "WHO WILL SUPPORT YOUR TUTION/FEE" as your husband is just a student. -- In case the F-1 holder is nearing completion of MS/PhD, or else if s/he is on practical training -- appparently there is more chance of the F-2 being refused in these cases. It seems *solid* proof of intent to return immediately after PT is necessary, the usual things like "s/he's the only child, s/he will definitely return" etc. don't work... -- Try for the F-2 only at the appropriate consulate, since they scrutinize the application more closely in such a case, and ask questions about why the application isn't being made at the right consulate. -- Try to go early in the morning and this will help to finish the job before they get tired and moody. -- They ask tricky questions like how much is your husband going to make after joining a job? Where is he looking for a job? Where do U want to do your MS etc... Their intent is to catch U red-handed in case you are telling a lie.