Nonimmigrant Visas

What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Approved” Mean for My VAWA Green Card Application?

Written by ImmigrationHelp Team
Written February 8, 2023

If your U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case status says “Case Was Approved,” congratulations! This means USCIS has reviewed your application, determined your eligibility, and decided to grant your Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) green card. You’ll often see several statuses prior to approval as your case progresses, and it can take a long time for USCIS to process and approve your application. It takes an average of 15–40 months (or about 1–3 years) for USCIS to process and approve VAWA green cards. This article explains the case approval process with USCIS and what happens after your case is approved.

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A Guide to the F-1 Visa for Study in the United States

Written by Jonathan Petts
Written January 18, 2023

One of the primary reasons for visiting the United States is to study. The United States is home to many of the world's most renowned educational institutions. Every year, scholars from all over the world flock to the country to take advantage of the educational opportunities. You will need a nonimmigrant visa to attend a school in the United States if you're not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This article explains all you should know about the F-1 student visa, including the requirements and application process.

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What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Approved” Mean for My Form I-539: Application To Change or Extend Nonimmigrant Status?

Written by Paige Hooper
Written January 6, 2023

If your USCIS case status says “Case Was Approved,” congratulations! This means USCIS has reviewed your application, determined your eligibility, and decided to grant your Form I-539 application. You’ll often see several statuses prior to approval as your case progresses, and it can take a long time for USCIS to process and approve your application. It takes an average of 4-10 months for USCIS to process and approve Form I-539 requests. This article explains the case approval process with USCIS and what happens after your case is approved.

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What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Transferred” Mean for My Form I-539 Application?

Written by ImmigrationHelp Team
Written December 20, 2022

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case status “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” means that USCIS moved your case to a different service center or field office. The new office will continue processing your case from there. USCIS may choose to transfer your Form I-539 application for several reasons, including staffing shortages or processing delays. Cases may also be transferred if you, the applicant, move and are now in a new jurisdiction. If USCIS transfers your case, it will notify you via your online account and mail you a transfer notice. You don’t need to do anything, but take note that any future additional documentation for your case and any questions you have about your case will need to be directed to the new office.

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What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Was Denied” Mean for My Form I-539 Application?

Written by Kassandra Kuehl
Written December 15, 2022

If you see “Case Was Denied” as your USCIS case status online, it means that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received and reviewed your Form I-539 application and decided not to grant you a change or extension of your nonimmigration status. If USCIS denies your Form I-539 case, it will send you a denial notice explaining why. It can be disheartening to go through months of processing for a change or extension of your nonimmigrant status only to have your case denied. If this happens, you may want to get legal advice about the next steps.

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What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Was Received” Mean for My Form I-539 Application?

Written by Kassandra Kuehl
Written December 15, 2022

When you see the case status “Case Was Received” from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it means USCIS is acknowledging that it received your I-539 application. This is just the start of USCIS processing your case. The agency hasn’t yet reviewed your application materials or determined your eligibility. Once you see this status, you’ll want to keep an eye on future status changes and respond to anything that requires your attention, such as a request for evidence. This article explains the “Case Received” USCIS status and what to do when your application is in this status.

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What Does the USCIS Case Status “Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent” Mean for My Form I-539 Application?

Written by ImmigrationHelp Team
Written December 10, 2022

If you log in to your USCIS account online and see the case status “Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent,” it means that USCIS needs more information from you to process your case and ensure you’re eligible for the immigration benefit you applied for. USCIS will mail a Form I-797E: Notice of Action that outlines exactly what additional evidence is needed and why. The notice will also include a deadline for submitting the requested information. It’s important to submit the requested information before the deadline to ensure USCIS continues processing your application without too much delay.

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A Guide to U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated December 7, 2022

If you would like to visit the United States and you're not a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you will have to get a nonimmigrant visa to make the trip. Nonimmigrant visas are available for different travel reasons, and U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide grant them for a temporary period. This guide explains what U.S. nonimmigrant visas are and who needs to get one. We also describe the different types of U.S. nonimmigrant visas and the application process step by step.

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What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Rejected” Mean for My Form I-539 Application?

Written by ImmigrationHelp Team
Written November 8, 2022

The USCIS case status “Case Rejected” means that you didn’t file your immigration paperwork correctly, so USCIS did not review your case. If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rejects your case, it will return your original filing fee. To have your case reviewed, you’ll need to fix the issue that caused the rejection. Common issues that lead to rejection include filing the incorrect form version, paying an incorrect fee amount, and not signing a form. If you see the “Case Rejected” status on your USCIS account, you’ll need to refile your application and pay your filing fee to move forward with your immigration application. If you aren’t sure how to correct the mistake after reading this article, you may want to contact an attorney for help with your case.

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The USCIS 90-Day Rule

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated November 1, 2022

It is extremely important to be honest about your intentions when you apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa. Misrepresenting your intentions for traveling to the United States will land you in a lot of trouble with the U.S. government. One of the ways that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirms your travel intent is the 90-day rule. The 90-day rule states that temporary visa holders who marry or apply for a green card within 90 days of arriving in the United States are automatically presumed to have misrepresented their original intentions. This article explains the 90-day rule, including how immigration officials apply it, the consequences of breaking the rule, and how to prove nonimmigrant intent on your U.S. visa application.

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What Is the Visa Waiver Program?

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated November 1, 2022

The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens from eligible countries to stay in the United States for 90 days without getting a visa. It applies to those traveling for business or tourism. This article will explain how the Visa Waiver Program works, who qualifies for it, and how it compares to a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa. If you qualify, you can save yourself time and money on your trip to the U.S., but you should also be aware of a few drawbacks.

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How To Get an I-94 Extension and Extend Your Stay in the U.S.

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated October 10, 2022

While on a temporary visit to the United States, it is essential to be aware of the terms of your stay. In particular, you should be conscious of your I-94 expiration date. If your I-94 expires before you leave the U.S., you must plan to get an I-94 extension so you don’t break U.S. immigration law. This article explains what the I-94 extension is and how to get one. It also covers what documents are required for an extension and how long it takes for the U.S. government to process your extension request.

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What Is Form I-134: Declaration of Support?

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 22, 2022

As part of the U.S. temporary visa application process, you will have to prove to the U.S. government that you can afford to care for yourself while visiting the United States. You can verify this with evidence of your personal funds or have someone vouch for you financially with a declaration of support. They will file the declaration of support using Form I-134. This article explains Form I-134, who can file Form I-134, and which temporary visa applications may benefit from it. It also explains how to file Form I-134 and which supporting documents to include.

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A Guide To Applying for a U.S. Temporary Visa With Form DS-160

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 22, 2022

Form DS-160 is also called the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. Many people applying for temporary U.S. visa classifications like student visas and fiancé visas will have to file Form DS-160 with the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country to get permission to come to the United States. This article is a guide to Form DS-160. It explains who needs to file the form, the application process, and what happens after filing.

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A Guide to the M-1 Visa for Vocational Students

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated July 6, 2022

There are different visa categories for foreign students who wish to pursue an education in the United States. If you would like to receive vocational training in the United States, you may be able to do so with an M-1 visa if you can meet the requirements. This article explains what the M-1 visa is, who can apply for it, and how to apply. It also answers some frequently asked questions about the student visa.

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What Is the R-1 Visa: Nonimmigrant Visa for Religious Workers?

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated June 28, 2022

The R visa category allows for foreigners to visit the United States as nonimmigrant religious workers. People who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents may travel on an R visa if they wish to conduct religious work or ceremonies in the United States. This article explains the R-1 visa, which is the main type of R visa. The article also explains who qualifies to apply for the R-1 visa and how to apply for it.

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What Is Form I-539: Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status?

Written by Jonathan Petts
Updated June 20, 2022

If you’re in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and you need to stay past your visa’s expiration date, you can apply for an extension using Form I-539: Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. To use Form I-539, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, return the completed form to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and pay a $370 filing fee plus $85 for biometrics. This article explains how to fill out Form I-539 and who is eligible to use it to extend their stay in the United States.

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What Is the B-1/B-2 Visa?

Written by Jonathan Petts
Written May 30, 2022

The B-1/B-2 visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows foreigners to travel to the United States for business or tourism purposes. If you're traveling to the United States for a business conference or trip, you'll need a B-1 visa. The B-2 visa, on the other hand, covers tourism, such as vacations or visits with family. This article is a deep dive into the B-1/B-2 visa, explaining the visa requirements, who can apply, how much it costs, and how to apply. The article also answers some commonly asked questions about the B-1/B-2 visa.

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How To Change Your Status From a J-1 Visa to a Marriage Green Card

Written by Jonathan Petts
Written May 25, 2022

Many Americans and lawful permanent residents are married to foreign citizens. As a student exchange visitor on a J-1 visa, it's possible to meet and fall in love with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident during your time in the United States. If you marry someone who's a U.S. citizen or green cardholder, you can get a green card. In this article, we explain what the marriage green card process is like depending on your spouse's U.S. immigration status, and whether or not you've overstayed your visa. We'll also discuss some things you should consider before filing your application, like the home residency requirement and the 90-day rule.

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Keeping You Out of the United States: Grounds for Inadmissibility

Written by Jonathan Petts

The U.S. has special laws that dictate who may enter or stay in the country. These laws list reasons you may be barred from entering the country as an immigrant. If you’re already in the U.S., these laws may allow you to be deported. These reasons are often referred to as “grounds for inadmissibility,” and many exist. But even if one or more grounds for inadmissibility apply to you, you can still stay or enter the U.S. in certain situations. This article provides an overview of the grounds for inadmissibility. It also discusses exceptions and waivers to inadmissibility.

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