Moving to the United States or not depends on which visa category is most suitable for that person. The U.S. visa system is complicated since there are different visa categories designed for specific purposes, such as education, family reunification, and more. Thus, knowing what differences these visas entail allows one to pick the right category that fits one’s needs the best.
In this blog, we will cover the most common visa categories under the F-series: F-1, F-2A, F-2B, F-3, and F-4. This guide will walk you through the world of U.S. visas, whether you want to study in the U.S., join your family, or explore other opportunities.
F-1 Visa: The Student Visa
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for students who want to study at a U.S. college, university, or other educational institution. To be eligible for the F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an academic program or a language-training program that leads to a degree or certificate. The F-1 visa is one of the most popular U.S. visa for international students. With an F-1 visa, students are allowed to stay in the U.S. for the period of their academic program.
That period includes time spent in practical training, such as internships, after completing the course. You must be enrolled full-time and maintain good academic standing while studying in the U.S. Importantly, the F-1 visa does not permit you to work off-campus during the first year of study, except in very specific situations like on-campus employment or Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
F-2A Visa: For Spouses and Children of F-1 Visa Holders
In addition to holding an F-1 visa, you can qualify your spouse and minor children for F-2A. Your spouse and children are qualified for entry into the United States because of the primary visa holder’s enrollment at a qualified US academic institution, while their F-1 visa is current. Since this is a non-immigrant visa, when your academic program terminates, they will need to return to their home country with your minor children.
While these are some of the more significant rules related to F visas, note that F-2A visa holders may not engage in employment in the U.S., but may pursue studies part-time. They are also eligible to remain in the United States while their spouse maintains their F-1 status. Family members under the F-2A visa may not have the right to change their status to F-1 status, and also may not request employment authorization.
F-2B Visa: For Unmarried Adult Children of F-1 Visa Holders
The F-2B visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows the unmarried adult children above the age of 21 years to join their parents who are F-1 visa holders in the U.S. Unlike the F-2A visa, the F-2B visa is also available to adult children, but it has certain requirements. The main difference between the F-2A and F-2B visas is the age of the child.
If you are the child of an F-1 visa holder and you are over 21 years old, you will need to apply for the F-2B visa to join your parents in the U.S.. While the F-2B visa lets you stay in the US for the duration of the parent’s academic program, it doesn’t let you work, and you can’t apply for permanent residency due to this visa. However, with the F-2B visa, you could study.
F-3 Visa: For Professors, Teachers, and Researchers
The F-3 visa is for those who travel to the U.S temporarily to carry out academic works such as teaching, lecturing, or research. As such, this visa is issued strictly to professors or researchers heading to the U.S to work in educational institutions and is to be issued to those already holding employment at a foreign university or academic institution.
Unlike the F-1 visa, which is mainly for students, the F-3 visa is an academic professional visa that you can use if you want to work with a U.S. institution without transferring your entire work or residence status to the U.S. The F-3 visa allows you to stay in the country for the duration of your job, which would typically be teaching or research positions at U.S. institutions.
F-4 Visa: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens
The F-4 visa is a family-based immigration visa for the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. This category enables U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings to come and join them in the United States. The F-4 visa is a pathway for family reunification, but it is also one of the most time-consuming visa processes. The waiting period can sometimes last many years due to the limited number of visas issued each year for siblings.
Applicants for the F-4 visa must be able to prove their relationship with the U.S. citizen sponsor and that they meet other eligibility requirements. Once granted, this visa allows you to live, work, and eventually apply for permanent residency (a green card) in the U.S.
Key Differences Between F-Series Visas
When choosing which U.S. visa is best for you, it is important to know the different F-series visa categories. Each visa has a different purpose, and qualification depends on factors such as age, relationship to the primary visa holder, and whether you are a student, researcher, or family member.
The F-1 visa is for students, the F-2A and F-2B visas are for family members of F-1 visa holders, the F-3 visa is for academic professionals, and the F-4 visa is for siblings of U.S. citizens. It’s important to choose the visa that best aligns with your goals, whether that’s studying in the U.S., reuniting with family, or pursuing academic work.
It can be a little overwhelming to choose the appropriate U.S. visa. However, understanding the difference between the F-series visa categories can help make a much more informed decision. If you’re looking to study in the U.S., join your family, or conduct academic research, there is likely a visa type that fits your needs. With this knowledge of the U.S. visa options, navigating this world of U.S. visa isn’t as daunting as it would have been.
