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09 Apr 2020

My mother’s B-2 I-94 is about to expire, and she would like to apply for an extension of stay because of COVID-19. She does not know how long she will have to stay, so she has not yet purchased a new return ticket home. Is a return ticket required to apply for an extension of B-2?

Answer A return ticket is not required to apply for a B-2 extension. It can be helpful in many circumstances; but, given the COVID-19 outbreak, it seems unlikely the USCIS will make an issue of this. (09.Apr.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...

08:16 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Visitor
19 Mar 2020

My elderly father entered on a visitor visa about five months ago, and his I-94 is scheduled to expire in about 1 month. I do not think he should travel right now because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Can he extend his stay?

Answer Generally speaking, a person in valid B-1/B-2 status may apply for an extension of stay. Under normal circumstances, the USCIS is often reluctant to approve such applications, as this visa category is generally intended for relatively short trips for business and/or pleasure. However, the USCIS...

07:51 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Visitor
13 Mar 2020

NewsFlash! All Visa Appointments at U.S. Consulates in India Canceled

The U.S. Department of State announced today that, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa appointments at U.S. Mission India posts - which includes the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and all U.S. consulates in India - have been canceled. This measure...

13:44 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Visitor / Worker
06 Feb 2020

Last year, my employer in India asked me to travel to the U.S. to attend a few meetings being held by the U.S. parent company. I was issued a B-1/B-2 visa based on an invite letter from the U.S. company. I am now working for a different Indian company, and have been asked to attend a conference in the U.S. Do I need to get a new B-1/B-2?

Answer Normally, a B-1/B-2 visa is not tied to any particular employer or organization. As long as the B-1/B-2 remains valid, one ordinarily may use it to request admission for any activity that is permissible under B-1 or B-2 status. (06.Feb.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...

13:12 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Visitor
07 Nov 2019

I have an L1A visa stamp in my passport and a B-1/B-2 visa stamp. If I want to come to the U.S. for 1 week on vacation. If I enter using my B-1/B-2, will that cause my L1A stamp to be revoked?

Answer There is no prohibition against having multiple visa "stamps" in one's passport. Entering the U.S. using one's B-1/B-2 visa typically would have no impact on the L1A visa. (07.Nov.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

13:19 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Visitor / Worker
24 Oct 2019

DOS Rule on Determining Visa Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds

On October 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register, entitled Visas: Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds. Once this interim final rule goes into effect, it will greatly expand the categories of public benefits considered...

10:02 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker