Checking Your Visa Renewals

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Did You Know That All Visas Need to Be Renewed?

Yes, no matter what visa you have obtained, it will need to be renewed every few years. In addition to visas, even Green Cards need to be renewed. For Green Cards, the renewal process will not be based on how you qualified for the Green Card in the first place, but more to check and make sure you’ve not turned to a life of crime or become otherwise inadmissible to live in the US. As a US visa or Green Card holder it is your responsibility to regularly check your renewal dates and renew your visa before its expiry.

Do You Move Around?

The majority of our clients are outside the country when they initially hire us, having hired us to help them to come to the US to settle. At the beginning stages of most cases we only have foreign addresses on file. Once new visa holders arrive in the United States, they often settle in a temporary address and then, later, our clients might move to a more permanent location. Over time, clients may change their email addresses and/or phone numbers. In other words, after moving to the United States clients are so busy fulfilling their American Dream that we lose track of them. For this reason, it is always important to ensure that your visa renewal date is firmly calendared.

When Does Your Visa Expire?

Every visa issued by US Immigration contains both an issue date and an expiration date. Whether you have received, an E2 Visa, O1 Visa, L1 Visa or any other valid US visa, it is extremely important to record the visa’s expiration date. When looking at your visa, the expiration date is located towards the bottom right corner of the visa. Failure to leave the country or submit an application for  renewal at this time can result in negative actions taken by the government.

What Does Your I-94 Arrival/Departure Date Mean?

You also need to check your I-94 Arrival/Departure record online as the departure date is often sooner than the expiry date in on your visa, and the I-94 date requires that you must depart the US before that date even if your visa has more time on it. You must depart the US and come back in, or file for an extension of your I-94 date.

If you are in any doubt about your status and dates please contact our offices immediately for a free consultation.

Do You have a Visa Renewal Plan?

In many cases, preparing for your visa renewal application can take months. Clients will often need to procure additional information such as updated financial information, family information, and other information that may be relevant to the renewal of your application.

To ensure that your visa renewal application will be submitted in a timely manner, we recommend that you begin the renewal process at least six months before the date of expiry on your visa. This can ensure a stress-free process that will allow you to focus on staying in the United States rather than having to put together a last minute renewal application.

Where Do You Plan to Renew Your Visa?

Currently, there are two options to renew your visa. You can renew your visa without ever leaving the United States, or you can return to your home Embassy and renew it there.  There are pros and cons to each option, so it is important to discuss each of these with us once you begin planning your visa renewal.

For example, in many cases it is better to renew in your home country because doing so allows the visa to be stamped into your passport, which will enable you to travel in and out of the United States thereafter.

On the other hand, if you renew your visa in the United States through USCIS, they will not issue a new visa, instead they simply extend your I-94 authorization to stay in the United States. This a great option since you do not have to leave the country, however receiving an I-94 authorization to stay in the US will not allow you to travel in and out of the country. If you choose this I-94 renewal option, and then choose to travel outside the US, you will need to go back to your home Embassy and have them issue you a new visa. When you visit your home Embassy they will require you make a “fresh application” with updated information even if you have recently renewed your visa through USCIS.

The best advice we can offer is to call us so we can talk through all of your options to ensure that your renewal paperwork is done in a timely manner and correctly.

Ready to Renew Your Visa? We Can Help!

Our Offices can guide you through the lengthy renewal process to ensure that there are no unplanned interruptions to your stay in the United States. You can contact our offices to schedule a free consultation by submitting an online inquiry. We look forward hearing from you.

Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram

US Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
Chris M. Ingram LL.M., ESQ – Immigration Attorney
Admitted in New York.
Practice Specializing in US Immigration Law
401 Wilshire Boulevard, 12th Floor,
Santa Monica,
California 90401
Tel: 310 496 4292

Specializing in the E2 Visa, EB1 Green Card, L-1A Visa and O1 Visa and K1 Visa Marriage-Based Immigration. Attorney Chris M. Ingram is dedicated to providing the very best in US Immigration legal representation. Enjoy our website.

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