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The Economic Times NRI Helpdesk: Can I extend my US visitor visa before it expires? And other FAQ's answered by Rajiv S. Khanna

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Question: I have a visitor visa for the USA for multiple visits up to June-2023. Can I apply for an extension of the visa before the expiry date? Also, advise procedure for extensions and where I can get the application form, so I can keep all details ready.



Answer: I am not aware if there is a procedure to apply for a visitor visa extension before expiration. You can send an email to the consulate to confirm. There is, however, a restriction under the consular standard operating procedures on holding concurrently valid visas of the same type.

Jan 23, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)

5 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Citizenship and Naturalization

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Substantial transcription for video

Discussion Topics, Thursday,  January 23, 2020

FAQ:  Tourist/Visitors visa for people with special needs or challenges || Risk for green card process in joining a small company, unfamiliar with immigration || Impact of 214(b) denial || Requirements for obtaining green card under EB-1C, International Managers and Executives ||

OTHER:  NVC fees issues || USC relocating to India while green card petition for parents is pending || Is original I-140 approval required for priority date transfer? || Effect of subsequent H-1B, H-4 approval on current H-1B, H-4 case || Additional review of a pending I-140, delay || USCIS processing times estimate || 221(g) Administrative processing for H-1B visa ||  CSPA logistical problems || Carrying cash in and out of the USA || Incorrect DS-160 || List of cap exempt employers || Naturalization of children

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for International Students

1 year ago By Chief Editor

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance regarding the F and M student nonimmigrant classifications, including the agency’s role in adjudicating applications for employment authorization, change of status, extension of stay, and reinstatement of status for these students and their dependents in the United States.

Recording for March 23, 2023 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

Green Card

Discussion Topics - March 23, 2023



FAQs: Handling H-1B visa and layoff : What happens if I get laid off before or after stamping my visa in India? || Marriage and relocation to the U.S. : Quickest path for prospective fiancé of U.S Citizen living in India || AC21 AOS portability: Pending AOS I-140 withdrawn before 180 days || What to do if one is in India during the PERM and I-140 process ||

USCIS Updates Guidance for F/M Nonimmigrant Student Classification

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Release Date 

08/27/2024

USICS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This guidance, found in Volume 2, Part F, of the Policy Manual, also provides clarifying guidance for F/M nonimmigrant students concerning online study, school transfers, the grace period, and study abroad.

The Policy Manual update:

Recording for September 26, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Topics Discussed:
FAQs: EB-2 NIW I-140 portability for employer-sponsored cases || Concerns regarding nonpayment of wages and potential H-1B impact || Maintaining LPR status (Green Card) during extended absences for employment || Rising NIW rejection rates: Examining changes in eligibility criteria

Recording for February 20, 2025, Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

9 months ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

 

FAQs:

1. Can I volunteer with a Non-Profit while on any temporary visa (for example, F-1 OPT)?

2. Options after layoff on approved EB-1 - Compelling circumstances EAD and GC EAD conversion

3. NIW I-485 rejected: Refiling options and priority date usage?

Rajiv's Article - Enhanced social media vetting for student and exchange visas - What you need to know

8 months ago By Chief Editor

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: April 04, 2025

https://shorturl.at/xyEtn

Synopsis

The State Department's new social media screening measures affect F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa applicants, requiring mandatory reviews under certain conditions. These include broad interpretations of terrorist support and criteria for hostile attitudes toward U.S. institutions, potentially leading to visa revocations.

For more information on this article, please see the attachment below.

Immigration impact of past criminal law allegations - Will a reduced traffic misdemeanor affect my US visa application?

7 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I was involved in a car accident 2 years ago and got a traffic misdemeanor ticket that was reduced to illegal parking and 200$ fine from court. There was No Arrest & No Hearing. Given the current crisis, I would like to know whether it will impact my visa or immigration cases. If yes, how can we avoid those problems?

Related FAQs:

FAQ: Immigration impact of past omission or errors in Form DS-160 or other government forms.

I am a mechanical engineering PhD student in PA on an F1 visa from a ROW, with no travel ban. Came to the US in Dec 20XX.

When applying F1, made a mistake in DS-160, said i never applied to immigrant visa before though I had applied to DV (DV rejected). I only said so without realizing DV is also called an immigrant visa (I thought it was company sponsor, marriage, etc.); it was an innocent mistake. I realized it last week in an immigration seminar at uni. I also applied for DV after arriving in the USA.

I-20 ends in 12/20XX, F1 ends in 11/20XX, and the passport ends in 2032. Will travel be an issue before 11/20? How likely is it that a random check will reveal this mistake without traveling? I'll tell the truth when asked, but what are the consequences? What can I do?

For OPT, STEM OPT, or if I need extra PhD time and graduate in 2028, will it be a problem if I extend the I-20 duration? Or if I switch to another US uni next semester?

NIW prepared DIY, ready to file, but unsure because it is an immigrant visa, similar to DV. Wanna do PP, with approved I-140, can I get OPT or stem opt (before filing 485)? Should I go home for a visa extension, or can Mexico/Canada do it?

FAQ: Immigration impact of prior dismissed Domestic Violence case

I had a domestic violence case 5 years ago, which was dismissed. With the new government now and the news about visa denials and deportations, can you please tell me your thoughts on if there will be any problems with my stamping even if I get the stamping done successfully, will there be challenges entering into the US in the port of entry?

Or there are no changes in how visa processing is handled for people with dismissed domestic violence cases. Thank you for your guidance.

 

FAQ Transcript

Minor past infractions, even those reduced to non-criminal violations like illegal parking, are causing concern for visa applicants. Here's a breakdown:

  • Non-immigrant visas (B1/B2, F/J): These are the most vulnerable. Even minor issues can be raised during visa stamping due to a shift in the US government's stance, though denial based on a reduced traffic misdemeanor is unlikely. The impact on already issued visas is still unclear and is being litigated.
  • Work visas (H, L, E): These are less likely to be affected by minor past incidents.
  • Green cards: Generally, only more serious issues, like drug convictions or multiple convictions, pose a problem.
  • Citizenship: Good moral character is required, but incidents outside the 5 years preceding the application usually aren't a major concern, and rehabilitation can be a factor.

Regarding the specific question about a traffic misdemeanor reduced to illegal parking with a fine:

  • Immigration impact: It should not impact your immigration status (deportability/inadmissibility).
  • Visa impact: While the government might cause a delay during stamping, they should not deny your visa based on this.

Crucially, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer specializing in deportation/removal defense (with at least 10-15 years of experience) in the state where the incident occurred to understand the specific potential impact on your case. Dismissals can sometimes have immigration consequences even if they aren't criminal convictions.

 

US Visa & Social Media: What you need to know about new screening policies and their impact

5 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I believe there was a proposal to include social media handles as part of certain visa/immigration applications. Do you know what the consequences of that are?



If one has deleted social media accounts they don't have access to or accounts they don't remember the details for would that negatively impact the application? Also, is it just public posts that get reviewed or do private messages/dms get reviewed also?

FAQ Transcript

As of June 24, 2025, the US Consulates have updated their policies for F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visa applicants. The key requirements are:

Public Privacy Settings: All your social media accounts must have their privacy settings adjusted to "public" so that the consulate can review them.

Disclosure of Usernames: You are required to list all social media usernames or handles from every platform you have used for the last 5 years. This includes accounts, even if they have since been deleted.

Failing to comply with these requirements, including omitting social media information or keeping accounts private, could lead to visa denial. The new policy aims to facilitate vetting to establish identity and admissibility to the United States.

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