For Foreign Visitors Who Are Unable to Depart the U.S. due to COVID-19
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
A problem striking many foreign visitors during the current COVID-19 pandemic is the inability to depart the U.S. before the expiration of their authorized period of stay. Upon entry to the U.S. as a visitor for tourism or for business, the Customs and Border Protection Officers generally grant an authorized stay of 90 days, for those entering on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), or 6 months, for those using a B-1/B-2 visa. The exact expiration date of the authorized period of stay can vary, and it is the responsibility of the visitor to be compliant. If the visitor overstays this authorized period, they could be subject to strict consequences, including difficulty with future visa applications and be barred from entry for up to 10 years. The visitor can and should always check the details of their authorized stay here, by pulling their most recent Form I-94.
However, departing the U.S. in compliance with these requirements can be difficult if not impossible under this pandemic. Many flights are cancelled. Some borders here and abroad are closed. Moreover, the health risks of traveling with other potentially contagious members of the public are substantial.
For visitors who entered the U.S. on ESTA, Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have issued guidance clarifying that individuals who are unable to depart the U.S. due to the pandemic can request a form of relief called Satisfactory Departure. This request extends the visitor’s authorized period of stay in 30-day increments beyond their original expiration date. For visitors who entered the U.S. using a B-1/B-2 visa, an official application may be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, requesting an extension of stay up to six months in duration.
Ensuring that the required extension is filed prior to the visitor’s expiration of authorized stay is key to maintaining a lawful immigration status and avoiding future immigration and travel problems. Our offices are currently open, and we offer video conference and teleconference consultations. If you have any questions about extending your stay in the U.S. as a visitor on ESTA or B-1/B-2, please do not hesitate to reach out and make an appointment.
Lo que dicen nuestras clientas
Calificación de 5 estrellas | Basado en 200+ reseñas de clientes satisfechos en Google
Highly recommend attorney Kevin Raica and attorney Agata Bigdanowicz. They were super helpful, responded on time, and won my case in record time. It took about a month and half in total for me to get my approval after filing!
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
Huge thanks to Attorney Matthew for his incredible support on our immigration case! 🙏 He was professional, responsive, and his expertise led to a successful outcome. We truly appreciate his hard work and highly recommend his service.
I’m deeply grateful to God for leading us to this law firm; it is a true blessing to work with such professional and passionate individuals. Their dedication and commitment help make a difficult situation far less traumatic. In our case, we received 100% support from Attorney Andrea Ochoa and paralegal Rafael. May God bless them and allow them to continue this wonderful work. Thank you—a thousand thanks.
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
Highly recommend Jennifer Peyton in federal litigations. She’s very polite and experienced.
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
Great service and attention. Felt safe and confident since the first meeting. Couldn't be happier with the results and services. I had the pleasure of working with attorney Andrea Ochoa and it was a great experience would absolutely reccomend her services
Our experience with the firm was extraordinary. We worked with attorney Andrea Ochoa. Since the very first meeting we met, Andrea gave us all the confidence to proceed with our case. She always answered our questions shortly and offered clear guidelines to proceed. When my son's case received a notice of intent to deny, she planned how to fight that decision effectively. We totally recommend everyone to trust their case…
¡Programe una consulta!
Publicidad de abogados. Esta información está diseñada solo para información general. La información presentada no debe interpretarse como asesoramiento legal formal ni como la formación de una relación abogado/cliente. Los resultados y testimonios anteriores no son garantía ni predicción del resultado de su caso, y no deben interpretarse como tales. Los resultados pasados no pueden garantizar el rendimiento futuro. Cualquier resultado en un solo caso no pretende crear una expectativa de resultados similares en asuntos futuros porque cada caso involucra muchos factores diferentes, por lo tanto, los resultados diferirán caso por caso. Al proporcionar información de contacto, los usuarios reconocen y dan su consentimiento explícito para ser contactados a través de los métodos de comunicación proporcionados, incluido SMS. Se pueden aplicar tarifas por mensajes y datos. La frecuencia de los mensajes puede variar. Responda STOP para optar por no participar.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy