F-2 Visa Rules Explained: What Dependents Can and Cannot Do in the U.S.

The F-2 visa is issued to dependents of F-1 students, including spouses and unmarried children under 21. While the F-2 allows family members to stay in the U.S., it comes with strict limitations, especially on work and study.

1. Who is considered a dependent?

• Spouse: Legally married to the F-1 student.

• Children: Unmarried and under 21 years old.

• Requirement: They must be listed as dependents on the F-1 student's I-20 and have their own F-2 I-20 and visa.

Person discussing F-2 visa guidelines, highlighting what dependents can and cannot do in the U.S., while reviewing documentation.

2. What F-2 Dependents are allowed to do

Daily Life & Travel:

• Live in the U.S. for the duration of the F-1 holder's status.

• Travel within the U.S. freely.

• To drive a car you need to get a drivers license. The rules for getting a drivers license are different, in each state. You have to follow the rules of the state where you live to get your drivers license. The drivers license is very important because it shows that you know how to drive a car. You should get a drivers license to be able to drive a car.

• Open a bank account.

Travel internationally and re-enter, provided they have:

• A valid F-2 visa stamp in their passport.

• A valid F-2 I-20 with a recent travel signature from the F-1 student's DSO (within 1 year).

• Proof of the F-1 student's active status (copy of their I-20, enrollment proof).

3. What F-2 Dependents CANNOT Do

• The most important restrictions:

• You cannot have a job. This means you cannot do any kind of work whether you get paid or not. There are an exceptions, like volunteering, which we will talk about later.. Generally working is not allowed.

• Cannot Study Full-Time: They cannot enroll in a degree-seeking academic program full-time.

4. Study Restrictions for Spouse & Children

• If you are in the United States on a visa you cannot study full time. Time academic study is not allowed for people, with F-2 status. This means you cannot enroll in a degree program as a full-time student because that would violate the terms of your status. F-2 status has rules and one of those rules is that you cannot be a full-time student.

• Part-Time Study: ALLOWED. F-2 dependents may enroll in avocational or recreational courses part-time.

• Example: Language classes, cooking classes, art workshops, short hobby courses.

• Children (F-2): Must attend school. F-2 children are required to enroll in primary or secondary school (K-12). This is considered avocational for their age group and is permitted.

5. Can F-2 Dependents Volunteer?

Yes, but with strict limits.

• Allowed: Volunteer work for a charitable organization where the role is traditionally unpaid and no compensation (money, gifts, promise of future work) is received.

• NOT Allowed: "Volunteering" in a role that is normally a paid position or where any benefit is received. This is considered unauthorized employment.

6. Common Things People Do That Mess Up Their Status

• Working, even "under the table" or online for an overseas employer.

• Enrolling as a full-time student in a college or university.

• If an F-1 student loses their status for example they drop out of school or they do not enroll in classes then they will fail to maintain their status as an F-1 student. This is what happens when an F-1 student does not follow the rules like dropping out or failing to enroll. The F-1 student will lose their status.

• Letting the F-2 I-20 or visa expire without taking action.

7. How Can an F-2 Spouse Work or Study Legally?

If you are the spouse of someone, with a visa and you want to get a job or study full-time you need to change your F-2 immigration status. This is something that the F-2 spouse has to do if they want to work or pursue full-time studies. The F-2 spouse must change their immigration status to be able to do these things.

• To Study Full-Time: Apply for a change of status to F-1 (or another student category like J-1). This requires admission to a SEVP-certified school and filing Form I-539 with USCIS.

To Work:

• To change to F-1 and apply for CPT or OPT: after you complete one year you may become eligible, for F-1 work authorization. You can apply for CPT or OPT when you finish one year of school on a visa. This is an opportunity for F-1 students to get work experience. F-1 students can gain experience in their field of study by applying for CPT or OPT.

• To be able to work you need to change your status to something that lets you work. This can be something, like H-1B if you find a company that will sponsor you or L-1 or J-2 if the main person changes to J-1. Note: If you have status you can get permission to work from the USCIS.

• Employment-Based Green Card: If eligible through an employer or family petition.

Final Takeaway

F-2 status is for accompanying family, not for primary work or study. The rules are intentionally restrictive to prevent F-2 status from being used as a backdoor for employment or education. F-2 dependents must plan ahead if they have goals beyond part-time recreational activities. Always consult with the F-1 student's DSO or an immigration attorney before undertaking any work or study to protect your legal status.

Good Luck