You need to complete Form I-539 to request an extension of your B-2 tourist visa. You can download the form and the instructions from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the country's naturalization and immigration system. It is a successor to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was dissolved by the Homeland S…
Full Answer
Can I get an extension on a B2 visa?
Yes, your B2 Visa can be extended as long as you meet the requirements listed below. When to extend B2 visa? USCIS recommends applying for a B2 visa extension at least 45 days before the expiration date of your visa. You can see your expiration date on the bottom right corner of your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record.
How much is a B-2 extension visa?
B2 visa Extension Fee. Extending a B2 Visa has a $370 filing fee for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. There may be a biometric fee of $85, depending on the type of visa you are on. Each co-applicant should also pay an $85 biometric fee.
How long does it take to get B2 visa?
How long does a B1/B2 visa take to process? If your application is successful, you can expect your visa to be processed by the U.S. embassy within 3-5 working days. Then an extra 2-3 working days should be given for courier return of your documents.
What are the requirements for a B2 visa?
To qualify for the B2 travel visa, you must prove that:
- The purpose of your trip is to tour the U.S.
- You have a permanent residence in your home country that you have no intention of abandoning
- You have binding ties to your home country in the form of property, family, or a permanent job
- You are not coming to the U.S. ...
Can we apply B2 extension online?
You can do this online, by the mail, or in-person at a USCIS office. If you file online, you'll need to understand how to submit attachments of the document you'll need. File an application (letter) stating the reasons for requesting a visa extension.
How can I extend my B2 visa?
If you want to extend your stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires.
Can I extend my stay on B2 visa?
B1 Visa Extension and B2 Visa Extension You are allowed to extend tourist visa and extend your business date if you are B1 or B2 holder. The typical amount of time granted to a B visa holder is one to six months. The maximum amount of time you can extend on a B-1 visa is up to 6 months, for a total of 1 year.
How long does it take to get B2 visa extension?
While general case processing delays have gone up by 100%, extension of stay and change of status requests now take anywhere from 4 months to 22 months to process.
What is a good reason to extend B2 visitor visa?
Typical reasons for extending B2 visa status includes continuation of tourism activities, social meetings with friends and relatives, and participating in social organizations and functions. In some cases it is prudent to change status from another nonimmigrant visa category to B1 or B2 status.
How much does it cost to extend B2 visa?
$370. You and each co-applicant must also pay an $85 biometric services fee.
Can I renew my B1 B2 visa before it expires?
You do not have to wait until your current visa expires. You can apply for a new visa even if your current visa is valid.
What happens if B2 extension is denied?
If the extension is granted, lawful presence will relate back to the timely filing of I-539. If the extension is denied, the applicant will be normally given a period of 30 days to leave the U.S. voluntarily.
How long can I stay in USA on B2 visa?
6 monthsB1 and B2 visa holders are allowed to stay in the US for up to 6 months at a time. Each visa application will be assessed on its own merit, and the adjudicating officer may grant a stay of less than 6 months – this is the maximum period for an initial stay under the B classification.
Can I renew my B1 B2 visa without interview?
The US Interview Waiver Program (IWP) allows eligible individuals to renew their visas without attending another interview. If you do not meet the requirements, you will have to schedule a second one.
Does B2 visa extension need biometrics?
Starting March 11, dependents of employment-based nonimmigrants, as well as B-1/B-2 visitors, some F-1 students and certain other nonimmigrants, will be required to appear in person for fingerprinting and photographs when applying for a change or extension of status on USCIS Form I-539.
Can B1 B2 visa be converted to green card?
A B-1/B-2 visa does not grant permanent resident status — it is a temporary visa – but the holder can apply for a green card. The maximum amount of time issued for a B1/B2 visa is 180 days. This visa allows for multiple entries into the United States.
Can I renew my B1 B2 visa before it expires?
You do not have to wait until your current visa expires. You can apply for a new visa even if your current visa is valid.
How long can I stay in USA on B2 visa?
6 monthsB1 and B2 visa holders are allowed to stay in the US for up to 6 months at a time. Each visa application will be assessed on its own merit, and the adjudicating officer may grant a stay of less than 6 months – this is the maximum period for an initial stay under the B classification.
Can B1 B2 visa be converted to green card?
A B-1/B-2 visa does not grant permanent resident status — it is a temporary visa – but the holder can apply for a green card. The maximum amount of time issued for a B1/B2 visa is 180 days. This visa allows for multiple entries into the United States.
How can I stay in U.S. longer than 3 months?
You must apply for a visa (B2 visa) if you want to stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days, no matter what the reason. You must apply for a visa (B1 visa) if you are traveling to the U.S. for employment or business purposes involving remuneration, even if not staying longer than 90 days.
How to extend stay in the US?
If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check the date in the lower right-hand corner of your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to determine the date your authorized stay expires. We recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.
How long before I-94 expires can I extend my stay?
We recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires. You may apply to extend your stay if:
Can you be ineligible for a visa if you have not committed a crime?
You have not committed any crimes that make you ineligible for a visa
When will USCIS stop extending nonimmigrant status?
On or after March 9, 2021, applicants and petitioners should not provide information required solely by the Public Charge Final Rule.
How to pay for USCIS lockbox?
When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Is USCIS revising form instructions?
USCIS is in the process of revising form instructions to reflect the changes made by this policy update. Any revisions to the form instructions will be made in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Alert: On Nov. 2, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final ...
Do you have to file a biometrics fee for NATO?
Individuals changing into or out of A-1, A-2, A-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 status are not required to submit either the filing fee or the biometric services fee.
How to extend B2 visa?
Your non-immigrant visa status should be valid before or by the time you submit the Form I-539 for B2 visa extension. Your passport validity should remain unexpired for the duration of your extended stay. You are sure to exit the United States once the extended period of stay is over. You need to furnish evidence for financial support required during your extended B2 visa stay. You have neither committed nor been accused of any crimes during your first term of stay on a US visitor visa.
How to check status of B2 extension?
You can use the receipt number to check the status of your application for the US B2 visa extension. You can also call 1-800-375-5283 to contact the National Customer Service Center. Upon approval of your application for the visitor visa extension, you will receive an approval letter and a new I-94 with a new departure date. ...
What is a B2 visa?
B2 is a nonimmigrant US visitor visa for pleasure or medical treatment in the United States. Parents, siblings and other family members of US-based Indians enter USA on B2 visa. Generally, USA visitor visas are valid for a period of 6 months, which can be extended for another six months with the USCIS approval.
Why Extend Your B-1 and B-2 Visa With Us?
We focus on the personal statement, in which you explain the reason of your B-1/B-2 visa extension or change of status. We do visa extensions with care.
How long before B-2 visa expires?
The extension can be made up to 1 day before the visa expires as long as you send the USCIS a Fedex package and make sure you save the receipt with the tracking number and date. If the extension is submitted before the due date, the person who does the B-2 visa extension is safe and is not overstaying his or her tourist visa. ...
How long before I-94 expires can I apply for a B2 visa?
You should do so at least 42 days before the expiration of your I-94 card. Yet, you are not allowed to apply within three months of arrival in the US. You should submit the following documents when applying for a B2 visa extension: Completed form I-539. Your valid passport.
What is VisaExpress?
VisaExpress specializes in assisting visa applicants throughout the whole process.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Tourist Visa?
To be eligible for a US Tourist visa, the purpose of your visit should be one of the following:
How to Apply for a US Tourist Visa?
To apply for a US Tourist visa you must go through these simple steps :
Can I Get a Green Card With a US Tourist Visa?
It is very difficult to get permanent residence or a Green Card if you are a tourist in the United States. Since the B2 visa is a temporary visa, you must prove that you will return to your home country after it expires in order to get it. Also, you are not allowed to look for a job or start studying, which means the easiest paths to a Green Card may not be available for you.
How much does it cost to get a US visa?
The application fee for the US Tourist Visa is $160. Depending on your country’s relationship with the US, you might have to pay other fees too. These are called visa issuance fees and they vary from country to country. After making the payments, you need to keep the receipts and attach them to your file of required documents.
What is transit visa?
A Transit Visa to USA is a permit to make a shortstop in the US, in order to reach your destination country. The US transit visas allow you to enter the US and stay for a layover. Afterward, when your planned flight or ship leaves for your next destination, you will have to leave the US.
When should I apply for Visa extension?
USCIS recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires, but the USCIS Service Center must receive your application by the day your authorized stay expires.
What happens if I get an extension for my visa?
If your application for an extension is approved you will be issued a replacement I-94 with a new departure date. Make a copy of this approval letter and I-94 and keep into your record, these will be useful for future entry to USA. You should carry these when you make next US trip or appear for a fresh US visa next time.
How long is a US visitor visa valid for?
These are generally issued for a period of six months, but an additional maximum extension of 6 months can be granted based on the USCIS approval.
How long before your USCIS authorization expires can you extend your stay?
Check for the dates online to determine when your authorized stay expires. USCIS recommends that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.
How to extend I-94 visa?
If you want to extend your I-94 date or extend US visitor visa stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check for the dates online to determine when your authorized stay expires. USCIS recommends that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.
What happens if you get denied a visa extension?
If your visa extension application rejected or denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied. You will then be required to leave USA immediately.
What happens if you are refused permission to extend your stay?
The CIS cautions that if you are refused permission to extend your stay, you may encounter problems with Consulates overseas the next time you apply for a U.S. visa because their computer records will indicate that you did not leave the U.S. within the time frame of your initial period of entry.
How to extend a visitor visa?
You must make the application to extend a visitor visa either by mail, as described below. Otherwise, you can complete it online using eProcessing at USCIS, as long as you are a single applicant (without co-applicants, or legal or accredited representation).
How to know when a visa extension is processed?
Since the processing timings for visitors visa extensions vary all the time, there is really no precise way to know when your application will be processed. Therefore, we have developed a Visitors Visa Extension Tracker where you can enter all your details. Even though it does not show any information that you don’t provide yourself, if many people entered their data promptly, it would help others (and you) estimate the processing times.
How to send I-94 application?
Before mailing the application, documents, and fees, make a photocopy of everything and keep it in a safe place. Use certified mail (or a trackable courier such as FedEx or UPS) to send your application with a return receipt requested. This can be done at any U.S. post office. This gives you the assurance that USCIS really received your application and in case of any trouble, you can prove that you sent the application before the expiration of the I-94. This will help you insist USCIS to locate your application in case they lose it.
What is an RFE for a visa extension?
Occasionally, you may receive an RFE (Request For Evidence) after you file for a visitor visa extension. In that case, submit a written statement such as a cover letter along with the requested documents. If you submit any documents in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation. You also need certification from a translator verifying that the translation is complete, accurate, and that they are ready to submit.
What happens when USCIS receives your application?
When USCIS receives your application, it will enter your application into their system and send you the ‘Receipt’.
Where to file I-539?
Form I-539 (Extension of stay/change of status), along with all the documents above should be filed to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.
