Quick Facts About US Visa Application

There are many rules and regulations when it comes to filling the visa application when seeking to visit the United States (US).  This is required for visiting and staying for a specified period. Thus, you need to ensure that everything needs to be filled out properly. When a visa is issued, the person needs to still go by all rules and exit the country by the time the visa expires.

If someone does stay in the US longer than the visa allows, there could be trouble for that individual. There have been people that have stayed beyond the allotted time and it is a serious issue. It is not something that will be ignored and there are consequences.

It was a 1996 reform with US immigration law that worked to get a control on this situation. Often people are deported, because they no longer have legal US status. They also can leave voluntarily. The changes in immigration law were drastic in 1996. Various benefits are denied and some might not be granted another visa or even an extension at this point, if they are already on an expired visa. They could be denied US entry for around 10 years in some cases or it could be three years determined by how long they stayed beyond their visa requirements.

One way to avoid this situation is to fill out an extension with a visa application. Often if a person is authorized to stay in the US for a certain amount of time they might find they want or need to stay longer. There are proper channels to go though to make this happen. The person might be approved and they might not. If a person has let their visa expire, they face deportation.  But there are often ways to set up a visa application asking for Adjust Status. This could mean they will need to pay civil penalty.

However, if you are on an I-94 visa, it is necessary to leave US before or on the date it expires. But the Extension of Stay or Change of Status can be applied for.

Anyone that deals with having an overstay visa situation is a nonimmigrant on such Visas as F- student, B-2 visitor, visa waiver tourist or H-4 spouse. If a person feels they could have a problem or needs to stay in the US longer or have already done so might want to consult a lawyer specializing in immigration law. They can help discuss the situation and find the best way to help this person as well as helping fill out visa applications.

Consequences of overstaying

There are some serious consequences of overstaying on the visa. In most cases, the individual is debarred from coming to US again for a period of 3-10 years, depending upon the length of overstay. They may even be restricted from Change of Status or Extension of Stay. Another problem that arises is that the individual’s visa will stand null and void, leading to deportation. Only seeking another visa from their country of origin can rein state the visa.