In its travel advisory over COVID-19, the government of India has banned all incoming international passenger flights for a week starting March 22, mandated minimum 14-day quarantine for those traveling from/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman till March 31; requested cancellation of non-essential travel to India till April 15, and prohibited travel from/through the UK and EU. Triggered by the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, India’s travel restrictions have disrupted hundreds of thousands of Indians’ return to India from the US and other countries.
My parents came to help me with my first child birth in the US. Their US visitor visa is valid till the end of April 2020. Flight tickets to India were booked a month ago for their return travel. As the situation continues to worsen due to the novel coronavirus, I am unwilling to let them travel. What should I do? How to extend their B2 visa stay in USA? Please guide me on the US visitor visa extension.
Pouring their concerns over parents’ scheduled travel to India, many Indians and US citizens of Indian origin are posting similar queries on social media and travel forums, seeking help with the filing of US B2 visa extension.
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. A request for the US visitor visa extension should be filed, at least, 45 days prior to a visiting family member’s I-94 date or first 6-month stay expires. If a visiting member overstays B2 visa without filing a request for extension or seeking USCIS approval of the extension, he or she will face deportation to the home country and/or be barred from reentering the US.
Conditions for applying for US visitor visa extension
You must have a valid, genuine reason to extend your stay on B2 visa in USA. 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.
Documents required for B2 Visitor Visa Extension
- Duly filled I-539 form (PDF or online)
- A letter explaining the reason for B2 visa extension
- A proof of financial support during the extended period of stay
- A photocopy of return flight tickets as proof of your plans to leave USA
- Visitor visa extension fee ($370 per adult applicant) plus a biometric fee
- A photocopy of your valid passport and the form I-94
After applying for USA Visitor Visa Extension
Once you are done filing the I-539 form to extend your B2 visa stay in USA, the USCIS will issue a receipt with a 13-digit number. The estimated processing time will be mentioned on the receipt. The applicant will get a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting at the nearest ASC. If there is more than one applicant in the filing, the biometrics appointment applies to all. The primary applicant and all co-dependents including minors are required to pay $85 for biometrics.
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. Keep a photocopy of the approval letter and the I-94 with you for use during reentry to the USA in future. The photocopies will be useful to get you a US visitor visa next time. You need to submit the old and new I-94 at the airline’s check-in counter while leaving the US.
How long you can stay after filing Visitor Visa extension request
In exceptional cases such as the global COVID19 travel restrictions, which is beyond your control; USCIS has the provision to excuse your filing for the US visitor visa extension after or just before your visa stay expires. If you meet the applicable conditions and requirements related to the B2 visa extension process, you may continue to stay in USA as long as your application is under review.
Subscribe to Travel Beats, a leading overseas Indian community portal, for latest updates on visa, immigration, passport, and India travel alerts. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, a trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in USA in offering the best discount fare deals for flights to India from USA.
Excellent regulatory analysis and advice.
Very comprehensive, relevant and beneficial.
Wish the Indian Embassy and the Consulates had similar service for the Indian citizens in need.
With the exception of a very few, the Indian diplomats on foreign assignment are all self-serving bureaucrats with minimal competence.
The extremely poor directives on OCI are a prime example.
Visitor visa extension fee ($370 per adult applicant) plus a biometric fee- do we have to pay this – as we are not requesting for extension and it s mandated now for them not to travel back
Where do we mail the hardcopies of i-539 and i-539A for visiting parents (B2 Visa)
At this time of unknowns I hope we can we apply for extension before 45 days. Waiting till last minute is a dangerous game since we aren’t sure of any lockdowns or USCIS themselves would be short of staff or be closed. Can anyone confirm if it’s ok to apply before 45 days please?
@normalcy – The text above says at least 45 days prior to expiration. So yes should be the answer to your question. But do seek legal advise to be truly sure.
Yes you can apply before 45 days. They recommend to file at least, 45 days prior
I am applying for me and my wife in one form. Shall we $ 370 each is 740. Or 370. I will pay $ 85 each for biometric.
Please clarify about 370.
In exceptional cases such as the global COVID19 travel restrictions, which is beyond your control; USCIS has the provision to excuse your filing for the US visitor visa extension after or just before your visa stay expires. If you meet the applicable conditions and requirements related to the B2 visa extension process, you may continue to stay in USA as long as your application is under review.
Answer to your question @Normalcy
Further, my mother’s I 94 expires on 4/20/2020 and I applied for the extension on 3/31/2020
After waiting and seeing how the situation goes. She was scheduled to travel back on
4/19/2020. These are exceptional times and hence should be OK.
did you get your mother’s visa extension response. What if things don’t get better by 10/20/2020(6 months) which is the probable extension you will get. Are we mandated to travel after 1 year of stay?
I have a similar situation, wanted to prepare for the worst.
I also have the similar query are we mandated to travel after 1 year of stay? visa extension for filled in March end till September end. Wanted to know if again it can be extended and travel is mandatory. Application is still under review.
I am also in the similar situation. Were you able to find the option to extend the Visitor visa for parent beyond 12 months?
If you are applying online then you need to pay $370 each along with $85 each. In online submission each applicant had to fill in their own I539 forms.
But if you are sending paper application then it is less $370 for the application (both of you) and $85 each. As the primary will file I539 and all the additional applicants will file I539A.
Use the fee calculator on the USCIS. It will give you the total amount.
https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator
Do we need attorney for this , or can we file ourselfs?
Thanks for detailed explanation. Really helpful.
I have recently applied for extension (55 days before i-94 validity) for my mother. Case is in “Received” State
Have few questions, appreciate if anyone can answer them
1. What if we don’t get approval by that i-94 validity as USCIS staff might e ?
2. Can she stay with receipt number?
3. In case of denial, Is she needed to leave USA immediately (how many days can she stay here)
Thanks in advance.
“In exceptional cases such as the global COVID19 travel restrictions, which is beyond your control; USCIS has the provision to excuse your filing for the US visitor visa extension after or just before your visa stay expires. If you meet the applicable conditions and requirements related to the B2 visa extension process, you may continue to stay in USA as long as your application is under review.”
Where do we mail the i-539 and i-539A hardcopies for Visiting parents on B2 Visa?
Abhi, it’s online. Go to USCIS site and open your account.
Is is true that a denial of an extension also has the effect of invalidating the underlying visitor’s visa for any future use?
Can we apply for I-94 extensions for 2 persons via single online account and via single I539?
My mother in law arrived in July 2019 on b2 visa. HEr first extension went fine, the second extension – we have got USCIS receipt (we asked for extension till July 2020 first week).
Given the situation, we don’t think she will be able to travel even after 12 months since she came.
a) Can we apply for third extension even when the second extension is in progress ?
b) Does the regulation for not staying after 12 months on B2 visa apply under COVID 19 situation ?
c) Do we have any other option ?
The USCIS site says “Currently, you may file an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (I-539) online if you are filing for yourself”. So, can I create an account and file an extension for my mother? She can’t file by herself and will need assistance.
what if we cant have return tickets submitted during the I539 extension.
I have few questions regarding B2 Visa extension for my parents,
1. Is my understanding correct that we must receive initial acknowledgement notice from USCIS before their 6 month stay period expiration in order for them to retain legal presence status?
2. I have heard that currently USCIS sends biometric appointment notice not until ~2 months after the application submission,
a. Will it be okay if my parents left the country before I receive biometric appointment notice?
b. will it be okay if they left after the biometric is taken but before the I-539 is approved?
Hello Team,
I have few questions regarding B2 Visa extension for my parents.
a) My Siblings are in USA, is it mandatory that the person who originally filed(from India) the B2 visa for the first time has to file the extension or other siblings staying in USA can file as well?
b) Is it possible to change ASC location(different state) after filing B2 visa extension?
I have filed for an extension of status for my parents, their current visit is good until Sept 9. I have the receipt and filed more than 45 days before the expiration.
With the current processing times, I don’t think there will be anything approved for good 4-6 months. My concern is if they return before the decision, will this impact their future visits?
We are expecting a baby in January and I want to make sure that they get to come back to the US to see their grandchild.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Hello! It should not impact their future visit to you in the US. If they leave the US before September 9, 2020, it will not affect their travel to the US in the near future.
My Mother is stuck in US and I filed her 539 over 50 days ago and still case is pending. Her legal stay ends in two days. I am reading here that she is okay to stay legally as long as her case is pending.
So just to confirm, once the “case was received” and acknoledged by USCIS, non-immigrant can stay in the US till the decision is made? Can you please provide USCIS link where this rule is posted, that would help.
Hi Nishant, I am in the similar situation. Can you please share your findings. Thanks!
I extended my moms visa once, yet to hear back from them. But now i feel its not advisable to travel in december either thats when her visitor visa expires for the first round of extension. What are my options?
Hi Nandini! Many senior citizens are traveling to and from India. Let’s hope the situation will improve by December. Quarantine norms have been relaxed for people flying in from abroad.
Hello Keisa,
My parents are travelling from Kolkata > Delhi > Abu Dhabi > Chicago on October 2nd – with valid visa for 10 years – I spoke to an attorney in the US and they have confirmed there should be no issue flying (issue as in restrictions)
Your options would be:
1) Request an expedite on your application in October via call
Could you share the expiration date and extension on your “stay” date?
Hi I have applied for I-530 for my mother on March 31st 2020. She was on B2 Vistior Visa.
Before she got her extension she left the country. After she left USCIS sent for Bio metrics appointment. What should be the next step and how will it affect for her next time travel?
Hi Jagan, I am in the same boat can you share your knowledge of what you did.
Naveen
I have my family here (adult & 11 yrs child). They both are on B2 and completed their 6 months last week. I filed for their extension I539 (Adult) & I539A ( child) but received only one receipt number. Is this normal? Child under 12 yrs will not have a receipt/petition on their name?
Any help here is highly appreciated.
SIR CAN YOU ADVISE ON ANY PROBLEM RELATED VISA
My mom’s B1/B2 visa was expiring on April 16th 2020 and I filed for her I-94 extension on March 15th 2020. Got Biometrics appointment for April 6th 2020, but the ASC was closed for a long time hence they automatically rescheduled it. I got a new Biometrics appointment for October 6th (email received on Sept 18th 2020). Visited there today for Biometrics. After Biometrics I asked the staff till what date her I-94 is extended. She said I will receive it in mail or I can contact the 1800 number. According to USCIS a person can stay legally for 8 months as long as the visa extension application is pending. Let’s see till what date her visa will be extended. I hope they give enough time to book the ticket. Given that the Covid situation in India is getting better, I think she can travel relatively safely now.
Hi Jay! Thank you very much for sharing this useful piece of information with other readers.
Hi Jay,
My mom is in the same situation as yours. The cases in Mumbai are soaring. I managed to talk to a CBP officer at JFK on the phone and he was very kind and asked to make the best decision keeping in mind my mother’s health. He also said they will be very considerate when she travels comes back to the US in the future.they wilk keep in mind these unusual times.
Her 6 months of extension will be up soon and i want her to stay another two months or untill things get better in Mumbai. So can she really stay here for 240 days if petition is pending.
Hi Jay,
My mom is here from india.Her I-94 was valid till April 20th,2020. I applied for an extension till October 15th,2020.
They have sent a biometrics appointment which i havent received yet.
Cases in Mumbai are on a rise. We have had so many unfortunate deaths in our immediate family circle back home.
Plus Mumbai has compulsory 7 day quarantine in a hotel. My mom is 69years old. I dont want her to travel in these conditions. Can she really stay in the USA for 240 or until she gets a decision.
Hi Karishma,
If you check the USCIS website, you will find that you can request for extension online by providing the necessary documents such as a letter explaining the global pandemic and her advanced age. Also have to provide documents that she won’t be a burden to US economy by providing your salary statements or her bank statements etc. once you apply for it, your mom can stay for at max 8 months as long as her application is pending. Given this global pandemic I feel and hope that they are going to be considerate. Don’t be late in your application though. They recommend around 45 days before I94 expiry. I was late in my application because the situation was developing quickly back in March. Good luck.
-Jay
I think you don’t have to worry until you get the I94 in mail. I had requested till June mid when I applied as I never anticipated it to be this bad for so long.
Jay, can you please apprise us of how long you received I-94 for?
Hi Karishma,
Biometrics appointments can be downloaded online from your account. After Biometrics, they have sent the approval through mail. Don’t know till how long they have approved her stay here. Fingers crossed, hopefully long enough to buy flight ticket.
Hello Krishna,
I am filing for extension for my parents, I wanted to ask do I’ve to create separate USCIS accounts for my parents or can I e-file on their behalf from my account? My parents need assistance to file the extension.
Hello My mom came to united states in Feb , her I 94 expired on Aug 13th and we applied for her visa extension on July 3rd 2020. As per the allowance of 280 days, she stayed back with us due to flight ban and later due to terrible amount of rise of covid 19 cases in Hyderabad. Her case is still under review and we haven’t received any letter for biometrics yet. spoke twice to agents at USCIS , her case is getting processed at Nebraska hence such delay. they did mention that she shouldn’t have any problem in re-visiting US after her approval on the first call in august, but later on our 2nd call they mentioned about her needing to renew her visa if she returns to India with proof of her receipt. She’s due to leave in Dec. Does anyone have any clue on how to go by the visa renewal process in India? I’m wondering if we should just keep her here until we get the approval to skip the entire step of renewal as she can legally stay here until april 2021. Any and every advice is very much appreciated. Thank you and Stay Safe.
I am in the same situation. Hoping someone responds on this thread.
Could you shed some light on the 280 days provision?
I have another question too. I filed the extension for 4.5 months – I was wondering if there is any way to change that now to a full 6 months. The USCIS center told me that I need to send a letter to Nebraska service center.
Hi Varun, I am in the same situation. I filed the extension for 2 months and wondering if I could change it to full 6 months. Can you please help. Thanks.
Hi Sarah,
We are in a similar situation please let us know if you get any information in this regard. Our parents also came here in Feb and now they are due to leave in December. We are also planning to keep them here till feb.
Hi Varun and Sarah. I am also on the same situvation . Did you guys found the answer for the question? Appreciate your help.
Hi Sarah,
We are in a similar situation please let us know if you get any information in this regard. Our parents also came here in Feb and now they are due to leave in December. We are also planning to keep them here till feb.
Hi,
I want to apply for B2 visitor visa extension for my parents. Can I submit this form online on their behalf through my account? Or do I need to create a separate account in their name? Also when I tried to check my parent’s online I-94 records, I am not able to find my mother’s online record. Can someone suggest to me how to proceed in this situation? Also, Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
hi Sarah,
My mom is in a similar situation. I applied for her extension in July for up to another 6 months. Since then my mom’s status shows as received, it is set to expire on Feb 2021. When I called the USCIS they said we can apply up to 180 days at a time. I am really worried at the current situation and wish if I could make her stay a little longer than Feb, say till April 2021. I don’t have any information if that is something we could do, that will not make any trouble for her to enter in the US in the future.
I have same problem as what Adrija has. If I want my parents stay longer, should I file for another 6-month extension? Will USCIS allows me to do that before hearing back the decision for our first extension request? Thank you.
Same situation as Adrija and Alice.
Spoke to USCIS Tier 1 agent a month back, and they said as long as the current application for extension is not adjudicated, we do not have to file another extension, even if takes them more than 6 months (which is the max we could have requested in the form). They confirmed that my parents won’t accrue any unlawful presence, since application is pending with USCIS.
But I’m not sure I can just rely on Tier 1 agents comment (Contractors), with respect to immigration matters, especially in current unprecedented time of COVID. Tried asking to connect with Tier 2 agent, who are actual USCIS officers, but they wouldn’t connect me with them.
Still debating whether to file 2nd extension application or not. Came across an Immigration Law site, where they recommend submitting another application, but I’d rather try contacting USCIS again, before submitting one.
Jeff – I am in the same situation and don’t know if I need to file for the 2nd extension or wait. If you find anything on this matter please notify me. Regards, AJ
Does anyone have update about filing second I-539 if it leads to more than 1 year on B2 status? If you’re approaching 6 months on 1st extension, I would say to file a second extension since at worst it’ll be $500 down the drain …. that’s better than being denied entry when they come back for visit
Hi,
I am planning to request for extension of my mom’s stay as well. I saw that one of the requirement is financial data but my mom is already retired and she only got pension in the Philippines and then when she’s here we take care of the expenses. Is it okay if we will just be the one to provide our financial data?
Hi Chris! Hope all of you are safe and in good health. As your mom is staying with you, you need to provide your financial data.
Hello I have already applied twice for B2 extension for my mom. First has been approved and second shows FingerPrint taken and now I am planning to apply for third one. I know this means my mom will stay in USA for 2 years but based on current situation I don’t feel safe sending her alone. My question is will there be any harm if I do so ? Have you guys heard someone filling for 3 extensions in one visit ?
Hi Sam,
I am in the same situation with my mom. I applied for her second B2 extension over 5 months ago and have not even received the biometrics appointment yet. Were you able to get your mom’s second extension approved? Did you file for the third one?
Thanks!
quick question, appreciate if anybody can respond
This is regarding my parents who are on visitors visa in USA. Their Visitor’s visa (B2) is expiring on Aug 15th 2021 and I-94 is expiring on June 17th, During these travel ban times, can i apply for their extension ?
My doubt is if they had valid visa we could have applied for extension but now with their visa expiring soon, can we apply or will they become out of status.
Thanks for the help !
MYSELF AND MY WIFE ARE ON VISIT FROM INDIA TO USA TO SEE OUR NEW BORN GRAND CHILD AND CHILDREN. We entered USA IN MARCH 2021. WE HAVE RETURN TICKETS IN AUGUST 2021. Our VISA ARE valid up to 2025. Due to present situation in INDIA can we extend our stay beyond 6 months as our VISA are valid up to 2025. In that case do we need to pay fee of $370 fee? And apply or simply post pone our return ticket. Please respond to my query.
Hi Seshagiri! Yes, you might have to apply and pay for extension to extend your stay. However, please be advised to check with the US embassy as well.
Hi, My parent’s i94 expiry is May 2021. I had filed an extension in April for 2 months (till July end) which is in “fingerprint fees received” stage. Now, I am planning to file another extension for few more months (till Nov-Dec). What is the procedure to file the extension the second time. Can someone please help.
I have filed I539 for one year extension. Will one year extension request be accepted.? Finger prints/biometrics done on 14 July 2021. How long will it take to get approval. Thanks.
Did you get any response?
And any idea if they stayed with extension when can they come back again?
Hi All, I’ve a basic question about the application process. I’m on my H1 visa and when I’m trying to apply for B2 VISA for my Mother who recently visited us, I logged in into my USCIS account I see as below:
Currently, you may file an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (I-539) online if you are filing for yourself.
So My question is do I need to create another account with new Email ID for my Mom and file the extension? This might sound very basic and silly but Please help me in this case. Thank you.
Hi Bhanu! We have little knowledge about this scenario. You can try creating a new account for your mom.
Hi my mom visited last oct 2019 we applied for extension on March 2020 we didn’t receive any mail for biometric.. when contacted uscis we came to know appointment date was passed on oct 6th 2020.initially we asked for extension till September but we gave correspondent letter requesting to extend till November 2020 but mom traveled on oct 23rd 2020, Visa is valid till 2024..will she able to come back to USA without any problem now?
Hi Prathibha! Many B1/B2 visa holders could not help extending their stay in the US due to suspension of international flights and other reasons in the wake of the pandemic. If your mom’s extended stay then is not considered as visa overstay, she will be able to re-enter the US. Besides, she will travel back to the US after almost 2 years. Please note she will have to convince the immigration officer at the entry airport in the US about her purpose of re-visit.
Hi, i applied extension for my Mom , we received receipt also and her visa is going to exp in nov 2022. Now she is not feeling well and had to go back to india. Can she come again in 1 month like Oct 25th 2022 with the extension receipt ? please let me know