Have You Overstayed your Visa in the USA?
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If you are in the U.S. on an expired visa, we are here to help!
Then, fill out our Immigration Assessment Form, and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
What You Need to Know about Overstaying Your Visa
Overstayed Visa, It is common for foreign nationals that have entered the U.S. to overstay the time allotted according to their visa restrictions. If this has happened to you, there are a few consequences/penalties, depending on the circumstances. It is essential to deal with this situation without delay, as you might have options.
4 Main Consequences of Overstaying a U.S. Visa
- Overstays may be barred from returning to the U.S. for 3 or 10 years, depending on the period overstayed
- Overstays may be further restricted from an Extension of Stay or Change of Status
- Overstaying will void your existing visa
- Overstays generally might be unable to obtain a new visa except in their country of nationality, contact us now
Consequence #1: Inadmissibility
The Three Year Bar: Persons who remain in the U.S. after their authorized stay has expired for more than 180 days but less than one year, and who leave the U.S. prior to the institution of removal proceedings, are barred from reentering the US for three years from their date of departure.
The Ten Year Bar: Persons who remain in the U.S. after their authorized stay has expired for more than one year, and who leave the U.S. prior to the institution of removal proceedings, are barred from reentering the U.S. for ten years from their date of departure.
Consequence #2: Bar to Change of Status/Extension of Stay
Persons who remain in the U.S. after their authorized period of stay are not able to extend their stay in the U.S. or change their status to another non-immigrant status. In most cases they are also barred from adjusting their status from that of a non-immigrant to that of an immigrant.
However, the USCIS stated that as long as a foreign national files for an Extension of Stay or Change of Status or Adjustment of Status before the period of authorized stay expires, the foreign national will be considered to be maintaining status until a decision is made on the application or petition, even if the decision is after the date on the I-94 expires.
Consequence #3: Visa Voidance
The visa of any foreign national that overstays their period of stay is automatically voided. Immigration is very strict in its interpretation and application of this provision – overstaying by even a day will void your existing visa. A foreign national who has overstayed a visa may not be readmitted unless they have obtained a new non-immigrant visa in their country of nationality.
Consequence #4: No Consulate Shopping
The law provides that any foreign national who has stayed beyond his period of authorized stay in the U.S. must return to his country of nationality to obtain a new visa. You may no longer apply at a consulate that is ‘more convenient’ or closer to the U.S. If there is no consulate in your home country of nationality which issues visas, the Secretary of State may designate a third country where those individuals can apply for a new visa.
Exception to this Consequence
There is a narrow exception to this rule. If the foreign national can show that ‘extraordinary circumstances’ exist, they may be allowed to apply for a visa at a Consulate in a third country, i.e., a country that is not their country of nationality. Any person wanting to take advantage of this exception must receive the consent of the third country Consulate before making an appointment and submitting a non-immigrant visa application.
How a Waiver Can Help an Overstay Case
If you have overstayed your visa, you may be eligible for a waiver, which would mean you could avoid the three or ten year bar.
Waivers for Non-immigrants - Overstayed visa USA
While a non-immigrant is not eligible to apply for a waiver for the three or ten year bar, an individual would still be able to apply for a general waiver for most grounds of inadmissibility.
Waivers for Immigrants
The statute does provide a specific waiver for the three or ten year bar for foreign nationals who are the spouse, or son or daughter of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The waiver is not available to foreign nationals who only have children who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
To obtain the waiver, the foreign national must show that their U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parents will suffer ‘extreme hardship’ if the foreign national is not allowed to return to the U.S. ‘Extreme hardship’ to the foreign national himself is not recognized for the purposes of the waiver.
Why Legal Help for Overstaying Your Visa is Important
Overstaying a visa can have serious repercussions, which can be mitigated with legal help. Without the assistance of a legal expert, an individual with an expired visa can face consequences that may have been avoidable. Time is of the essence, and the process for attaining a waiver is crucial. Don’t hesitate to get the legal help you need.
Why Hire Us to Help You When You've Overstayed Your Visa?
While it may be tempting to just do nothing if you have overstayed in the U.S, this is not recommended. A life of “looking over your shoulder” is not a secure way to live.
For overstay cases, there is a high risk you can be caught by the U.S. Immigration Authorities and deported. But if you consult with an experience lawyer that handles these matters, then there are viable options for you.
Our lawyers belonging to the uscispassportsvisa Group have helped millions of applicants get admitted to the United States and have resolved their overstay problems. Contact us for a consultation to discuss your options or fill out our immigration assessment form located at the top of this page, and we will get back to you within one business day!
Or, simply email us now info@uscispassportsvisa.com
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