Can You Stay In The US While Change Of Status Pending?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Can you stay in the US while change of status pending? The application process for a Change of Status (COS) will allow you to remain in the US while the decision is pending, provided the application is filed in a timely manner with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Contents hide

Can I stay in the US while my i 539 is being processed?

What If My Form I-539 is Pending and My I-94 Expired? If you have filed for an extension before your I-94 expired date and your application is still under review,

you may stay in the U.S. for 240 days

. You need to have followed and continue following the terms of your status.

How long does it take for USCIS to approve change of status?

Change of Status Within the United States. Important points to know: Processing with USCIS can take

6 to 12 months plus mailing time or longer depending on USCIS processing times

. While the application is pending you may not leave the United States.

Can I stay in US while I 485 is pending?

Can I stay in US while my extension is pending?

Further, once your original nonimmigrant status expires, even though

you will generally be allowed to remain in the U.S. while your extension of stay application is pending

, you will not be deemed to be in any new nonimmigrant status until such time as we may approve your change of status application.

Can I leave US while waiting for visa extension?

Once you submit your application for an extension of status,

you are permitted to remain in the U.S. until you receive a decision from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

—even if your permitted stay expires while USCIS is considering your application.

How long does it take to get I-539 approved?

The processing time for Form I-539 varies depending on which service center handles your petition. Most I-539 petitions are handled in the Vermont Service Center, which typically takes about

12 – 16 months

—though it can be as short as 9 months for individuals seeking an extension of stay as a U or T nonimmigrant.

Can I stay in the US while waiting for green card?


Some people can stay in the U.S. for the entire period of applying for a U.S. green card

. Others must leave the U.S., either while they wait for a visa to become available (which can take years in some cases) or in order to attend their immigrant visa interview, which is the last major step in the immigration process.

Can I stay in US while I-140 is pending?

If your family member or employer has merely started the process off for you, by filing what’s known as a petition (typically on USCIS Form I-130 or I-140), that’s not enough.

A pending or approved petition from a U.S. sponsor gives you no rights to come to or remain in the United States

.

Can I stay in the US while waiting for I-130?

While the sponsor is waiting for the I-130 petition to be approved,

the relative may be able to travel to the United States on a tourist visa, such as a visa waiver or a B-1/B-2 visitor visa

. However, it’s important they make it clear to immigration when they enter that they will leave before this visa expires.

What can I do while I-485 is pending?

While the I-485 application is pending, an alien can enjoy several benefits such as

entering the U.S. under Advance Parole (AP) and permission to work in the U.S. using Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

.

What is the status when I-485 is pending?

Generally, if you have a pending Form I-485 and you leave the United States without an advance parole document, you will have

abandoned your application

.

Can I apply for H1B extension while I-485 is pending?

I-140 Petition is approved and the beneficiary has an immigrant petition immediately available (priority date is current) at the time of the H-1B visa extension. The beneficiary is able to extend her H-1B visa for one-year increments only.

This is true even if the beneficiary has a pending I-485 petition

.

How do immigration know if you overstay your visa?

Travel Records

It’s pretty easy for foreigners in the U.S. to know if they’ve overstayed their visas. All they need to do is

look at their I-94 arrival and departure cards

, which clearly state how long they can stay.

Can I apply for tourist visa if I have a pending petition?

Have adequate cash to pay the cost of the trip to the United States, as well as all living expenses while in the United States and the return journey home.

By presenting as much evidence as possible, you can successfully obtain a visitor visa despite having a pending I-130 petition.

Does USCIS know when I leave the country?


Yes, they almost certainly do know you’ve left

. The US processes passport details for all air passengers through a system called APIS, and ties that to the electronic I-94 (arrival and departure record). You can check your US arrival and departure history online.

What happens if change of status is denied?

Adjustment of status is granted at the discretion of USCIS. If your application for adjustment of status has been denied,

you can be subject to deportation (removal) proceedings

. Seek the assistance of an experienced U.S. immigration attorney. The attorney can help you decide what to do next.

Can you change visa status while in US?

If you want to change your status while in the United States,

you (or in some cases your employer) must file a request with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the appropriate form before your authorized stay expires

.

Can I leave while I-539 is pending?

If you travel abroad while a change of status application (I-539) is pending,

USCIS considers the application abandoned and will reject it

. You will need to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a new visa to re-enter.

How long does it take for I-539 to be approved 2021?

As per USCIS guidance, typically they would take about

17 days on average

to complete the I-539 biometric process from the day they receive the I-539 application(assuming no re-schedules) form.

Can I expedite my I-539?


You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice

.

Can I go on vacation while my application for permanent residence is being processed?

The answer is yes.

You can leave Canada with your PR status under process

. You just need to make sure that you meet all the admissibility rules in order to get entry back to the country upon arrival.

What can you do while waiting for green card?

If you applied for or are considering applying for a green card in the U.S, you can also

apply for a work permit

. This will allow your authorization to work legally while your green card application is pending.

How long does adjustment of status take?

The adjustment of status timeline is generally

8 to 14 months for family-based applications

(and often longer for other application types). However, the most significant advantage to adjusting status is that the intending immigrant may remain in the United States with family during the process.

Can I leave the country while waiting for I 485?

Adjustment

applicants who are in valid H-1B status, and their dependents, can travel abroad and reenter the United States in H status while an I-485 is pending, without having to obtain advance parole

.

Can I use my tourist visa while waiting for green card?


It’s possible to visit your spouse in the United States while your marriage-based green card application is pending

. In order to do so, you would need to apply for a tourist visa. But before pursuing this option, it’s important to understand the challenges and risks involved.

Can we stay in US after PERM approval?


Once the PERM and I-140 is approved the employee can then apply to go back on H-1B

, based on the I-140 approval. Only time in the U.S. spent in valid H-1B status counts towards the 6- year limit.

Can spouse stay in US while I-130 is processed?

The U.S. citizen spouse will also need to file Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. These two applications can be filed concurrently.

If the application process is successful, the immigrant spouse will gain lawful permanent resident status, which allows them to live in the U.S. permanently.

Can I apply for B1 B2 visa while I-130 is pending?

Can I travel while I 131 is pending?

At times, an individual may have an approved advance parole document while a second one is pending.

Individuals may travel on the approved advanced parole document, provided the document is valid for the entire duration of the time abroad

. The pending Form I-131 will not be considered abandoned in this situation.

Can I change job while I-485 is pending?

For you to change the offer of employment or employer,

your Form I-485 must have been pending with USCIS for 180 days or more

. You may request to “port” your job offer using the Form I-485, Supplement J, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j).

What happens if my i 94 expires while my i-485 is still pending?

How long does it take to adjust status I 485?

After filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, and related forms, your I-485 processing time can take anywhere from

8 to 14 months

. The basis of your adjustment of status (e.g. family, employment, asylum, etc.) will be a significant factor. This is an approximation.

Can I go to school with pending I 485?

If you have filed the I‐485 (PR pending), you have legal status in the U.S. and do not have to obey F‐1 regulations.

You can totally drop out of school

.

What is green card pending status?

A pending permanent resident is

an individual who has applied for lawful permanent residency (a green card) in the United States

. You are considered a pending permanent resident if you have filed for permanent resident status (USCIS form I-485) and your case is pending and/or a decision has not been made.

Can I stay in the US while waiting for H-1B?


If the H-1B petition is pending beyond October 1, you can remain in the U.S. based on the pending change of status petition

. However, you must stop working until the H-1B petition is approved.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.