Spouse with B-2 coming to visit F-1 holder

[mkndviji]

Hello all! I am a grad student in the US on an F-1 visa, with my program ending last week of Dec and OPT starting Feb 2023. My spouse already has a valid B-2 (tourist visa) which she got in 2018. Now she is coming to visit me here in the US and stay with me temporarily for 4 months (mid-March 2023). Although she has an approved visa,

• What should she be aware of/what documents should she carry when coming here to make sure the process is smooth at port-of-entry (border control)?
• Is this a valid use of B-2? We are trying to get an F-2 appointment after her return to home country (after her stay here)
• What other ties to home country must she show aside from residence and employment?

Any other points you can think of/any advice is welcome. Thank you for your help!

[Sdollar4real]

Hello all! I am a grad student in the US on an F-1 visa, with my program ending last week of Dec and OPT starting Feb 2023. My spouse already has a valid B-2 (tourist visa) which she got in 2018. Now she is coming to visit me here in the US and stay with me temporarily for 4 months (mid-March 2023). Although she has an approved visa,

• What should she be aware of/what documents should she carry when coming here to make sure the process is smooth at port-of-entry (border control)?
• Is this a valid use of B-2? We are trying to get an F-2 appointment after her return to home country (after her stay here)
• What other ties to home country must she show aside from residence and employment?

Any other points you can think of/any advice is welcome. Thank you for your help!

From my little understanding, she wont need to go back to her home country after entering with B2 visa, you just need to add her to your SEVIS record as your F2 dependent, provided you have the necessery documents, you can contact your DSO for futher info on that. After she has been added to your SEVIS, you and her will be provided with a new I-20 which she can use to file for Extension/Change of Non immigrant status (I-539) with USCIS without leaving the country.

[Libra_14]

The onus is on your spouse to prove that her B2 visit is temporary & she will surely return back to her home country.

Having spouse here inside USA shows that her intention might be to switch to F2 once she is inside USA. As long as she is able to prove that she will return, she should be fine.

What should she be aware of/what documents should she carry when coming here to make sure the process is smooth at port-of-entry (border control)?

Proof that she will return, like residence & employment (with approved leave for the duration of her stay in USA). Bank statement showing her continuous income.

Is this a valid use of B-2? We are trying to get an F-2 appointment after her return to home country (after her stay here)

Yes, B2 is fine. Do not take appointment for her F2 before she enters USA.

[mkndviji]

Sdollar4real That's something I never thought of! Thanks for the suggestion.

Libra_14 Got it. Thank you for the response!

[openmind]

@mkndviji I am in a similar situation. Can you please share how you handled this? What documents did your spouse present ? what questions were asked?

[mkndviji]

openmind Hey there, apologies for the late reply. Hope this still proves useful. Questions that were asked for her:

1. Why are you visiting the US?
2. Who do you know here?
3. How much money do you have to fund the visit? Is the amount enough?
4. What are you working as?
5. Is it okay to take this break from work?
6. Have you visited the US before?
7. How long have you been married/how long have you known your spouse?