How to File a U.S. Visitor Visa Extension
- Fill out Form I-539, Extension of a Non-Immigrant Visa
- Include a written statement explaining your reasons for an extension.
- Provide supporting documents to prove that your extended stay is temporary
- Include copies of return air-tickets
- Provide a copy of your I-94
- Show financial independence and proof that you will not become a...
How do I apply for a visa extension?
Extension of Stay. If you came to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and you want to extend your stay you must apply with USCIS before your authorized stay, denoted on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, expires.
Can I extend my Esta while in the US?
Can I Extend my Stay With an ESTA? Unfortunately, if you enter the US with an ESTA, you will not be allowed to extend your stay. The maximum amount of time that you will be allowed to stay before your documents expire is 90 days. Additionally, if you, for example, find a job and want to work in the US, you cannot apply to change your status.
How do I write a visa extension letter?
- Method 1 of 3: Following Formal Letter Writing Conventions. Prepare a header section. The date should go in the upper right corner of the page. ...
- Method 2 of 3: Crafting the Content of the Letter. Write the letter as soon as you can. ...
- Method 3 of 3: Sending the Letter to the Recipient. Make or save a copy of your letter. ...
How to extend your US B1 visa?
- CompletedI-539 form – printed, signed and dated.
- Written statement detailing your reason (s) for extending your stay.
- Evidence of how you will financially be supported during your extended stay.
Can I renew my visitor visa inside USA?
To renew your visa, you must contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to make arrangements for your visa renewal appointment. You must apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate while abroad. You are not able to obtain a new visa from within the U.S.
How do I extend my nonimmigrant stay in the United States?
You can submit an application for an extension of stay by mail or you can file online using USCIS ELIS for an extension of stay before the expiration date on your Form I-94.
What happens if I extend my stay in USA?
If you want to extend your stay in the United States, we recommend that you apply at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States after your authorized period of stay expires, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States.
Can you stay in the U.S. while waiting for visa extension?
Further, once your original nonimmigrant status expires, even though you will generally be allowed to remain in the U.S. while your extension of stay application is pending, you will not be deemed to be in any new nonimmigrant status until such time as we may approve your change of status application.
How much does it cost to extend visa in USA?
$370Include payment – The visa extension filing fee is $370 (for you and your family included in the application) but there may be an extra $85 biometric fee involved depending on your current type of visa. Copy of Form I-94 – Your arrival and departures form attained at the entry to the U.S.
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.
Can I extend my stay in US after 90 days?
It is possible to extend your stay past the allowed 90 days in the Visa Waiver Program but only in case of an emergency. Keep in mind that any extension is not to exceed 30 days.
How long does it take to extend visitor visa in USA?
between 2.5 to 8 monthsTypically it takes anywhere between 2.5 to 8 months to extend B2 Visa. After you file your Form I-539 with the USCIS Lockbox facility, a notice of receipt will be sent to your address within 4 to 6 weeks.
How long can you stay in the US after your visa expires?
If you have overstayed your stay for less than 180 days, you will not trigger any bars to re-entry. Although when/if you try to re-enter the United States the border officer will be able to see that you overstayed your permitted time on your previous stay and could deny entry.
What happens if your visa expires while in the US?
A visa is only an entry document and can expire while you are in the U.S. There is no issue if your visa expires while you are legally present in the U.S. As long as your status is still valid and you continue to follow all immigration regulations, you can continue to remain in the U.S. even if your visa has expired.
Can I stay in US while waiting for change of status?
The process for applying for a green card from within the United States is called Adjustment of Status (AOS). When you use AOS, you'll be able to stay in the United States while your application is processed, even if your visa expires before your green card is approved.
Can I renew my US visa before it expires?
Do I need to apply for a new visa after my current visa expires or can I apply in advance? 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.
Can I extend my stay in US after 90 days?
It is possible to extend your stay past the allowed 90 days in the Visa Waiver Program but only in case of an emergency. Keep in mind that any extension is not to exceed 30 days.
How long can you stay in the US after your visa expires?
If you have overstayed your stay for less than 180 days, you will not trigger any bars to re-entry. Although when/if you try to re-enter the United States the border officer will be able to see that you overstayed your permitted time on your previous stay and could deny entry.
How long does it take for I-539 to be approved?
I-539 petitions sent to the California Service Center take 1 – 5 months to process, while petitions sent to the Nebraska Service Center take 6 – 8 months. Petitions handled by the National Benefits Center have the best processing times with a turnaround time of as little as one week.
Can I stay in US after filing I-539?
That's where Form I-539 comes in. It allows you to stay in the United States and ask USCIS to change or extend your status. Important note: If and when you do leave the U.S. after an extension or change of status, you will need another visa in order to return.
How long before your stay expires can you file for an extension?
If possible, file your extension application 45 days before your stay is set to expire.
How many digits are in a USCIS extension?
Once the extension application is submitted, USCIS will give you a receipt with a 13-digit case number.
Can I extend my B-1 visa?
If you need to extend your I-94 date or U.S. visitor visa stay in the United States , you must file an extension of stay with the U.S.
How long do you have to file for an extension for a US visa?
You should file your visa extension at least 45 days before your visa expires. This is the recommendation of the USCIS because if you file on time, you may be allowed to stay in the US for another 240 days which will still depend on the reasons and other factors behind your request.
How to check if I have an extension visa?
You can also check the status of your visa extension online through the receipt case number given to you. Once your visa extension is approved, you will receive a replacement I-94 with a new expiration/departure date.
How many digits are in a USCIS extension?
After filing your extension request, you will receive a 14 digit case number from the USCIS. The processing time is also indicated in this receipt. Aside from that, your schedule for biometrics appointment will be given to you so you can be fingerprinted and photographed along with other applicants.
What happens if you get denied a visa extension?
On the other hand, if your visa extension got denied, you will receive a written notice about the denial. For that reason, you will have to leave the United States immediately.
Can I file an I-539 online?
Remember: According to USCIS , not all immigrants are eligible to file Form I-539 online. You can click here to check your eligibility. Once you find out that you’re eligible, then you can create a USCIS online account.
Where to find the date your stay expires on I-94?
You can find the date your authorized stay expires in the lower right corner of your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
Can I file an I-539 online?
Not all nonimmigrants are able to file Form I-539 online at this time. You can check your eligibility on our website. If you are eligible, you may create a USCIS online account to file online and:
How long do you have to apply for an extension visa?
The USCIS recommends that you do your visitor visa extension application at least 45 days before your initial departure date. The USCIS service centers must receive your application before your authorized stay expires. This helps you to get a case number before your departure date and allows you an extra 240 days to stay i the U.S. (or at least until your case has come to a decision).
How much does it cost to get a visa extension?
Include payment – The visa extension filing fee is $370 (for you and your family included in the application) but there may be an extra $85 biometric fee involved depending on your current type of visa.
What is an S nonimmigrant visa holder?
An S nonimmigrant visa holder (an informant on terrorism or organized crime including their dependents).
What to do after filing I-539?
After you’ve filed your I-539 there isn’t much you can do to influence the USCIS decision process but you can remain vigilant about your situation. Check the status of your case online on a regular basis and comply with the USCIS in the adjudication process.
What happens if you are denied a visa?
If your application is denied you must leave the U.S. immediately to avoid any removal procedures. If you don’t leave immediately and steps are taken against you, it could influence your ability to enter the U.S. again in the future.
Can I file an I-539 without a signature?
Remember to sign your application. Any unsigned applications are immediately denied. There are some useful filing tips for Form I-539 on the USCIS website. Follow the guidelines and file your application.
Do you need copies of your immigration documents?
Keep to the dates on your immigration documents and always have copies with you to serve as proof for your legal stay in the U.S.
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 ...
How to change status on a work visa?
To change status, you fill out the same form as you would for an extension; Form I-539. See Applying for an Extension of a U.S. Visa or Change of Status for details. Note that if you're changing to a work visa, your employer will submit an I-129 petition to sponsor you for work authorization and change your status.
What does it mean when your status expires?
Even if you qualify for it, the fact that your status has expired means that you cannot stay in the U.S. to apply for it. In order to avoid this result, plan ahead and take action to extend or change your status (as described below) BEFORE your expiration date arrives. Some notable exceptions to the above rule apply.
Does a temporary visa expire?
As the holder of a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa, you probably know that your permitted stay in the U.S. will expire at some point. That expiration date is most likely specified on your Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
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.
