1. How to change a student visa to a tourist visa?
I’m currently an F1 student and want to change to tourist visa B2 because can’t continue school anymore. How long does it take to process? if approved?
Mr. Lee answers,
In looking at the various service centers of USCIS and their published times in adjudicating changes of status to “other” categories like B-2, they are generally taking a long time. The Texas Service Center is taking between 10-13 months, California Service Center 19-25 months, Nebraska Service Center 9.5-12 months, Vermont Service Center 11.5-15 months, Potomac Service Center 10.5-13.5 months, and the National Benefits Center 2.5-4.5 months. I note that USCIS adjudications have been delayed because of the pandemic, and have hopefully begun to speed up.
2. Can a mistake in form N-400 be fix in the interview?
I answered NO instead of YES in question about military. I was in a mandatory Military service in my country of origin. My Interview was already scheduled. Could it be fixed at the interview? Can I have any trouble?
Mr. Lee answers,
Yes, you will be given opportunity at the time of the naturalization interview to correct any item on the N-400 application. If the officer does not ask the question, you should volunteer that you were in mandatory military service.
3. What do I need to do to change my J-1 Au Pair Visa to marriage visa?
I arrived in the US on a J-1 Au Pair visa. It is due to expire in October, however whilst here I have met my girlfriend and we intend to get married. I am wondering how to ensure that I am able to stay here with her as we do not want to be apart. I am unable to be an Au Pair when I am married as the program states that I will have to exit the program if I am married, therefore I am trying to understand how to stay in the country with her legally until everything is processed. Any help would be appreciated.
Mr. Lee answers,
Assuming that you are not subject to a two-year home residence requirement because of the J-1 visa, you should be able to stay in the States if you are marrying a US citizen or permanent resident. With a permanent resident, you would have to file the I-485 application for adjustment of status with USCIS prior to the expiration date of your J-1. The I-485 filing would place you in a quasi-legal status until the time that the agency makes an adjudication on your application.
4. Can and should I apply for adjustment of status with an approved I-526 awaiting a consular interview while being in USA on a b1/b2 visa?
I had applied for EB-5 which got approved in Feb 2020. Since I was in Hong Kong, I went through consular processing and my case stands as documentarily complete at NVC awaiting an interview. Before two months I came to USA on non immigrant Business Visa (B1/B2). There is again a surge in Covid cases in HK and lockdowns and curfews are being laid down and so the Embassy is shut again. Q1) I wanted to know how it would be if I were to apply for Adjustment of Status? Q2) Are there greater chances of my getting a refusal since I came on a nonimmigrant visa and am applying for becoming an immigrant ? Would the 90 day rule adversely affect my application? Q3) Say if I do apply and get refused, would I still be able to go back to HK for Consular processing ?
Mr. Lee answers,
A concern with USCIS may well be why you are applying for adjustment of status here while you are awaiting a consular interview on the approved I-526 petition, and the related concern of whether you had a preconceived intent to adjust status when you came to the US. It may come down to an immigration examiner’s perception of what is going on. There is probability that you will be interviewed instead of an interview being waived, and in such case, the examiner may question and evaluate your explanation. I do note that the deterioration of conditions in HK vis-à-vis Covid would appear to be a reasonable explanation for deciding to adjust status instead of returning for consular processing. If you are refused, you may face problems with your consular processing in HK dependent upon the speed of resetting consular processing and the attitude of the interviewing officer toward your attempt to adjust status in the States.