Applying for a visa or extending your authorized stay in the United States, handled correctly and on time.
Nonimmigrant visas, such as visitor, student, and work visas, each come with their own eligibility rules, documentation requirements, and time limits. We help clients apply for these visas, extend their authorized stay before it expires, and change from one visa category to another when circumstances change.
An extension or change of status application should generally be filed before your current authorized stay expires. Filing late, or not at all, can lead to unlawful presence, which carries serious consequences for future immigration benefits. We track your deadlines and file well ahead of them whenever possible.
Need to extend your stay? Call (718) 878-1177We review your current status, your history in the United States, and your goals before recommending whether an extension, a change of status, or a different immigration path makes the most sense for you.
Our immigration attorneys are ready to review your situation and answer your questions. Contact us today at (718) 878-1177 or fill out our online form for free.
USCIS recommends filing at least 45 days before your current authorized stay expires, though we generally recommend filing as early as your visa category allows to avoid any gap in status.
If you filed before your status expired and your application remains pending, you are generally considered to be in a period of authorized stay while USCIS processes your request, though you should avoid international travel during this time unless advised otherwise.
In many cases, yes. Changing status requires filing an application with USCIS and demonstrating you meet the requirements of the new category, all before your current status expires.
Unlawful presence accrues when you remain in the United States after your authorized stay expires without a pending, timely-filed application. Accruing unlawful presence can lead to being barred from returning to the United States for several years.
Generally, no. Visitor visas do not authorize employment. Whether you can work depends on your specific visa category, which we can review with you.
Applying for lawful permanent residence from inside the United States.
Learn MorePetitioning to bring a spouse, parent, child, or sibling to the United States.
Learn MoreA path to a green card for survivors of abuse, filed independently of an abusive spouse or parent.
Learn MoreProtection for those who fear persecution in their home country.
Learn MoreBecoming a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process.
Learn MoreRelief that can allow certain long-term residents to remain in the United States.
Learn MoreGuidance when criminal charges or convictions affect your immigration status.
Learn MoreRepresentation in removal proceedings to keep you and your family in the United States.
Learn MoreRequests to excuse certain grounds of inadmissibility so your application can move forward.
Learn MoreApplying for lawful permanent residence from inside the United States.
Learn morePetitioning to bring a spouse, parent, child, or sibling to the United States.
Learn moreA path to a green card for survivors of abuse, filed independently of an abusive spouse or parent.
Learn moreProtection for those who fear persecution in their home country.
Learn moreBecoming a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process.
Learn moreRelief that can allow certain long-term residents to remain in the United States.
Learn moreGuidance when criminal charges or convictions affect your immigration status.
Learn moreRepresentation in removal proceedings to keep you and your family in the United States.
Learn moreRequests to excuse certain grounds of inadmissibility so your application can move forward.
Learn moreShim Law Group is always looking to help those in need.
