I want to extend my parents' stay here. they were here 2.5 months before on visitor visa. looking at processing times, I-539 application for extension of stay is laged by almost 7 months. Is that the case applicable to visitor visa too who are here for 6 months visa granted at port of entry. If that is true how they can get extension???

It should not take that long time otherwise one has to apply for extension right after entering the port of entry. I dont know if anyone has applied recently.

Has anyone applied for extension recently. If yes after how long it was approved?? The time frame shown on USCIS seems  7 months which is quite longer.

aabha,

          I have applied for my inlaws visa extension back in Jul and have  not yet received any confirmation of approval. Theirs gonna expire in feb and they're planning to return soon. As long as you applied for it and you've the receipt notice and they intend to return within extended six month period of time they're in good shape.

Thanks Visitor.

"As long as you applied for it and you've the receipt notice and they intend to return within extended six month period of time they're in good shape."

extended six months = do you mean probable six month fir which application was filed??

My parents have to return via London, a strict airport where you are not allowed to enter even in transit if you do not hold valid US visa or UK Visa. 

Oh ..That was in our case. When they initially entered US they were given 6 mo's of stay and then later, we applied for additional six month (hoping that it will be granted). I haven't heard of any denials, its just that the processing time is too long.

Concerning valid US visa. The US embassy in Nepal usually issues 5 yrs of Multiple visa to visitors, as long as that 5 years hasn't expired you're good for transit purpose (in london) in your case.

 

I dont know if they will look at your parent's visa granted at port of entry rather than visa in passport at London Airport. Be careful. Call travel agency.

visitor, what type of document need to be submitted w/ I-539 to apply fro extensions? All document as required in Kathmandu Embassy?

Dosent the londond airport look at the visa granted at port of entry?

Sorry i didn't looked at it last week. No, you don't need all those documents that they presented while applying for visa. All you need is,filled out I-539 form , copy of their I-94 and a personal letter from you mentioning why you want their visa extension...e.g., they are going to attend any special occasion, they haven't yet visit all the places here in US, medical treatment...any reasonable casue u can think of.

I have just learnt that now you can even submit I-539 online and you'll get a receipt # right away. But you still need to mail the documents like letter and copy of i-94 afterwards.

And they've raised the application fee from $200 to $300 now.

let me know if you have any questions.

visitor, it appers like in only one I-539 can be filed for husband and wife. Does that mean the fee is only $ 300 . I assume you know the answer as you have dealt with such case.

Yes you're right. If both of them are applying for extension, they can fill out one form and will cost only $300.

Visitor, Thanks for your response though late.

By the way after application of I-539, if they return, what they need to submit at Airport instead of I-94, which gives proof that they left. receipt Notice??

So summary is:

1. For extension of visa for couple- the filing fee is only $300.

2. No additional documents required except copies of passport, visa and I-94.

3. Can be filed Online and send hard copies by mail.

4. With receipt notice, there is no problem at London though 1st visit visa time (1st 6 months stay) has expired.

 

You may want to check UK visa website. They need transit visa if your stay in US is more than 6 months in visitor visa. I dont know if 5 yrs multiple entry visa counts toward visa even after expiring 6 months stay granted at port of entry.

Excerpts from UK consulate website: This claeraly indicates that a UK visa required for transit for a stay onger than 6 months.
"You will be exempt from the DATV requirement and may be able to transit without visa if you hold one of the following.
A valid airline ticket for travel through the UK as part of a journey from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America to another country or territory, as long as you do not transit (pass through) the UK on a date more than six months after the date on which you last entered Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America with a valid visa for that country."