b visa | Scott Legal, P.C.

Approvals

B Visa Change of Status Approval

We just received a change of status approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that changed the applicant’s visa status from TN to B-1. We filed the change of status petition during the applicant’s 60-day grace period after he was…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 27, 2021

COVID-19

My extension of status petition has been pending for a long time. What can I do to speed up the process? Can I file an expedite request?

Due to Covid-19 global pandemic, the USCIS Service Centers are taking longer than usual to make a decision on all types of visa petitions. If you filed an extension of status petition long time ago and USCIS still has not…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 27, 2021

Immigration

How long can I stay in the U.S. on a B visa?

The B-1 classification is available to foreign nationals who desire to enter the U.S. for short-term business activities. For B-1 purposes, engaging in business generally means business activities other than performance of skilled and unskilled labor that are a necessary…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 13, 2021

Approvals

B-1 Change of Status Approval with USCIS

We just had a B-1 Change of status approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The applicants were 3 family members applying for a change of status from TN and TD status to B-1 status. The applicants were nationals of Canada. You…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 4, 2021

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

I am currently in the U.S. in H-1B status but recently lost my job. I’d like to change my status from H-1B to a B-2 tourist visa.

For background, you can learn more about the H-1B visa here, and about the B-2 tourist visa here . But if you want to change status between the H-1B and B-2, how does the timing matter? Can I file a…

Jenny ZhanDecember 30, 2020

Immigration

I have been in the U.S. on my B-2 visa for the maximum allowed stay of 6 months. Can I simply do a “visa run” – a short visit to a neighboring country – in order to restart my 6-month visa clock?

B-2 Visa Basics The B-2 tourist visa is a nonimmigrant visa with a validity period of up to 10 years, and can permit the visa holder multiple entries (the visa validity period and number of permitted entries depends on the…

Jenny ZhanDecember 11, 2020

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

I want to come to the U.S. to set up an E-2 business. Should I enter on a B-1 or B-2 visa? Can I change status in the U.S. if I entered on a B-2 visa?

If you want to come to the U.S. and explore E-2 investment opportunities, you should enter as a B-1 business visitor (either on a B-1 visaor as anESTA business visitor). Exploring investment opportunities is an activity that is specifically allowed…

Jenny ZhanDecember 1, 2020

Immigration

My B extension of status petition has been pending for almost 6 months. Can I stay in the U.S. as long as the petition is pending or do I have to leave the U.S.?

B-1 visa classification is available to foreign nationals who desire to enter the U.S. for short-term business activities. For B-1 purposes, engaging in business generally means business activities other than performance of skilled and unskilled labor that are a necessary…

Jenny ZhanNovember 24, 2020

Immigration

Can I change status from B-1/B-2 to F-1?

F-1 visa is a great visa for students who want to come to the U.S. and attend university, college, high school, elementary school, or other academic institutions. There are 2 main ways to can come to the U.S. and attend…

Jenny ZhanOctober 29, 2020

Immigration

I filed my extension of status application late – after my status already expired. Will my application be automatically denied? What should I do?

If you are in the United States and decide you want to stay for a longer time than you were given when you entered, you can apply to extend your status by filing an Application to Extend Nonimmigrant Status with the USCIS.…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 17, 2020

COVID-19

Will my ESTA be cancelled if I try to enter the U.S. while the European travel ban is in place?

When you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program, you can come to the United States without obtaining a visa from a U.S. Consulate. However, you still have to apply for authorization to travel to…

Jenny ZhanAugust 17, 2020

E-1 Visa Immigration

I want to apply for an E-1 visa but the trade is not substantial yet. Can I come to the U.S. on a B-1 visa, meet with potential U.S. clients and negotiate contracts? What activities can I do?

If you want to apply for an E-1 visa, you will have to demonstrate that the trade is already in existence, the trade is between the U.S. and a treaty country, the trade is substantial, and more than 50% of…

Jenny ZhanApril 15, 2020

Questions & Answers

If my visa is denied and I have a valid ESTA, can I travel to the United States on ESTA? When do I have to Re-validate my ESTA?

The Visa Waiver Program (also called ESTA) allows people from about 38 countries to enter the U.S. using a simplified visa process. You can find out more about the visa waiver program by clicking here. One question that often comes…

Jenny ZhanApril 13, 2020

Questions & Answers

What is a B-2 tourist visa? Do I have to have residence abroad when applying for a B-2 visa? What activities are permitted on a B-2 tourist visa? Birth Tourism on B-2 Visa

If you want to temporarily visit the United States for pleasure, you should apply for a B-2 tourist visa. Please note that if you qualify for ESTA, you can come to the U.S. as a Visa Waiver Visitor. Do I…

Jenny ZhanMarch 4, 2020

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

Can I apply for an E-2 visa if I enter on a B-2 Visa? Can I Change status to E-2 if I am not in B-1 status? Can I change status to E-2?

While most E-2 visas are filed at U.S. Consulates abroad, there are some instances where an applicant may apply for a change of status while in the U.S. For example, an applicant could enter the U.S. on B status and…

Jenny ZhanFebruary 14, 2020

Immigration News

Polish Nationals Eligible for ESTA Starting November 11, 2019

As of November 11, 2019, Polish nationals are now eligible to apply for visa-free business or tourist visitor travel to the United States. Poland is now added to a list of 38 countries already in the B-1 Visa Waiver Program…

Jenny ZhanNovember 21, 2019

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

What is ESTA? What is the Visa Waiver Program? Can I Set up my E-2 visa while on ESTA? Can I work at my E-2 Visa while on ESTA? Can I set up my E-2 business while on ESTA?

The Visa Waiver Program or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a program that allows citizens from certain countries (38 countries) to apply for admission to the U.S. using a simplified process. The applicant can use a web interface…

Jenny ZhanOctober 21, 2019

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

What is ESTA? What is the Visa Waiver Program? Can I Set up my E-2 visa while on ESTA? Can I work at my E-2 Visa while on ESTA? Can I set up my E-2 business while on ESTA?

Jenny ZhanAugust 8, 2019

Immigration News

Visa Validity Reduced for Pakistani Nationals

Announced on March 5, 2019, the U.S. State Department has reduced visa validity length for Pakistani nationals. According to the State Department, this decision was made after Pakistan failed to “liberalize its visa regime” and fix the discrepancies between their…

Jenny ZhanMarch 7, 2019

Questions & Answers

I am from a country that has ESTA – When should I apply for B visa?

Jenny ZhanNovember 7, 2018

b visa | Scott Legal, P.C.

B Visa Change of Status Approval

My extension of status petition has been pending for a long time. What can I do to speed up the process? Can I file an expedite request?

How long can I stay in the U.S. on a B visa?

B-1 Change of Status Approval with USCIS

I am currently in the U.S. in H-1B status but recently lost my job. I’d like to change my status from H-1B to a B-2 tourist visa.

I have been in the U.S. on my B-2 visa for the maximum allowed stay of 6 months. Can I simply do a “visa run” – a short visit to a neighboring country – in order to restart my 6-month visa clock?

I want to come to the U.S. to set up an E-2 business. Should I enter on a B-1 or B-2 visa? Can I change status in the U.S. if I entered on a B-2 visa?

My B extension of status petition has been pending for almost 6 months. Can I stay in the U.S. as long as the petition is pending or do I have to leave the U.S.?

Can I change status from B-1/B-2 to F-1?

I filed my extension of status application late – after my status already expired. Will my application be automatically denied? What should I do?

Will my ESTA be cancelled if I try to enter the U.S. while the European travel ban is in place?

I want to apply for an E-1 visa but the trade is not substantial yet. Can I come to the U.S. on a B-1 visa, meet with potential U.S. clients and negotiate contracts? What activities can I do?

If my visa is denied and I have a valid ESTA, can I travel to the United States on ESTA? When do I have to Re-validate my ESTA?

What is a B-2 tourist visa? Do I have to have residence abroad when applying for a B-2 visa? What activities are permitted on a B-2 tourist visa? Birth Tourism on B-2 Visa

Can I apply for an E-2 visa if I enter on a B-2 Visa? Can I Change status to E-2 if I am not in B-1 status? Can I change status to E-2?

Polish Nationals Eligible for ESTA Starting November 11, 2019

What is ESTA? What is the Visa Waiver Program? Can I Set up my E-2 visa while on ESTA? Can I work at my E-2 Visa while on ESTA? Can I set up my E-2 business while on ESTA?

What is ESTA? What is the Visa Waiver Program? Can I Set up my E-2 visa while on ESTA? Can I work at my E-2 Visa while on ESTA? Can I set up my E-2 business while on ESTA?

Visa Validity Reduced for Pakistani Nationals

I am from a country that has ESTA – When should I apply for B visa?

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