How to Extend Your B1/B2 Visitor Visa During COVID 19
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Transcript of How to Extend Your B1/B2 Visitor Visa During COVID 19
How�toExtendYour�B1/B2Visitor�VisaDuringCOVID�19�
Extending you B1/B2 visaThe coronavirus pandemic has
turned the entire world upside down
and has severely disrupted the
normal life. With so many
restrictions being imposed to curb
the rapid spread of the virus, travel
restrictions and border closures are
enacted by the countries like never
before.
In this process, several airlines have
suspended travel, and have
compelled people to stay where they
are away from their home countries.
If you are currently in the U.S. and
experiencing a similar fate, and are
unable to return to your home
country, you may have to stay in the
U.S. longer than you had
anticipated. The sudden restrictions
have undoubtedly caused a lot of
trouble but it is for the better good.
If you have entered the United
States with a B1/B2 visitor visa, and
find yourself stuck in the U.S., you
do not have to worry. If you have to
stay in the U.S. due to travel
restrictions, you won’t be deported
by the immigration law. In this case,
you will have to file for an extension
of your visitor visa until you can go
back to your home country. If you
are wondering how to extend your
B1/B2 visa, here’s how you can do
it:
Amid COVID 19 pandemic, when the
world economy is falling apart, you
are worried about your and your
family’s health and stuck in the U.S.
all you can do it extend your visa and
wait for the situation to get better
and favorable. The USCIS allows you
to extend your B1/B2 visitor visa in
this unusual situation created by
COVID 19.
Can Your Visa Be Extended DuringCOVID 19?
How to File For your VisaExtension?
USCIS will consider all the visa
extension applications under these
extenuating circumstances of
COVID 19. Here is a step-by-step
guide on how you can file for visitor
visa extension:
Fill�out�Form�I-539�(Extensionof�non-immigrant�visa)
The first and foremost step is to
fill out the Form I-539. You can
fill this form online by
downloading it and filling the
details As many of the USCID
branches could be temporarily
closed.
Written Statement
Include a written statement (in
the form of a letter) in which you
must specify the reason for
requesting a visa extension. In
this case, you must clearly state
that your country has closed its
borders due to the pandemic and
you will not be allowed to travel
back to your home country until
the restrictions are lifted.
Other than providing the written
statement you are also required
to provide the supporting
documents for your visa extension
to demonstrate that you won’t be
a financial burden to the country.
Here is the list of the supporting
documents that you need to
present:
Attach�other�supporting�documents
Proof that your extended stay
in the U.S. is temporary and
that you will be returning to
your home country as soon as
the restrictions are lifted. This
could include copies of your
return tickets or proof that
you are still employed in your
home country.
1.
2. Copies of return air tickets.
As you are not certain when your
home country’s restrictions will
be lifted, you can consider
buying tickets with flexible dates.
On the other hand, if your
country has a formal lockdown
you can consider buying a ticket
after the lockdown ends.
3. opies of your Form I-94. The Form
I-94 is your Arrival-Departure Record
Card and thus, you present its copy to
the USCIS
4. Proof that shows financial
independence while living in the U.S.
You need to show the USCIS that you
will be financially independent during
your extended stay in the U.S. You can
demonstrate this by providing proof of
your income or bank statements.
5. Documents pertaining to the impact
your extended stay might have on
your foreign employment or
residency. For example, This could
include a letter from your employer
confirming continued employment.
Filing Fees: Lastly, you will have to
pay the filing fee of $370 and
possibly an $85 biometric fee when
you submit your visa extension
application.
Note: Once you have submitted
your visa extension application,
USCIS will provide you a receipt
with a 13-digit case number. You
can anytime check the status of
your application online and also its
processing time using your case
number.
One of the most important things to remember is to file your
application for a visa extension before your current visa expires.
If you are in a situation where you’ve already overstayed and
don’t have an application for an extension in place can create
trouble and raise questions. Thus, you must file your extension at
least 45 days prior to the date of the required departure
mentioned in your I-94. In a situation, if your visitor visa has
already expired, the best option is to contact an immigration
attorney to find out what could be your options.
Things to take care of when filing for an extension
Once you’ve filed for the
extension, you do not have to
worry even if your stay expires
before you finally receive your visa
extension. You are legally allowed
to stay in the U.S. for 240 days
after the expiry date listed in your
I-94, but only if you have evidence
(13 digit case number issued by the
USCIS) of your I-539 application.
Contact�Us353 1963 0777
www.immigrationlawyerfl.com