Receiving the visa status you want can be such a relief that the thought of its expiration date is usually far from your mind. When the time comes, however, that expiration date has to be taken seriously. If it expires without the holder taking action with the USCIS, then that individual incurs "unlawful status," which can ultimately prevent them from re-entering the country for an extended period of time.
The Waiting Game
Depending on what kind of visa you have been issued and what your goals are for additional time in the U.S., your required action to stay here in the U.S. will differ. For example, someone who has become engaged to a U.S. citizen may need to take a different action than someone who needs to stay in the country to work at their job for a longer period of time.
Ways that a non-citizen can extend their stay in the U.S. include:
- Apply for citizenship
- File of an extension of stay
- Apply for a change in status
Speak with a trusted Lake Charles immigration attorney about your options. At our firm, we can assess your circumstances and help you file the appropriate application as thoroughly and swiftly as possible.
"What if I'm still waiting...?"
The wheels of USCIS processing can be slow. Even if you have taken action to maintain your legal status here in the U.S., you may find your current visa expiring before you hear from USCIS about your new status. What do you do then?
The truth is that this situation is actually fairly common. The USCIS understands that it can take a long time to process a request and as long as you have taken action to renew or change your legal status, you will not incur an "unlawful status." You can check the status of your application at the USCIS case status page and, if it is still taking a long time to affirm your new visa status, you can seek counsel to review your options.
Is your visa about to expire? Then the time to take action is now. Our team of legal advocates at Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP has helped countless individuals and families secure and maintain legal status here in the U.S. and is ready to hear your story today.
Contact us to request a confidential consultation.