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Chizoba Okafor

Posted 3 months ago

User
I came to South Carolina from Nigeria on a visiting visa because I wanted to celebrate my younger brother’s PhD graduation. My visa was approved for six months, but I’ve already been here for almost five months, and I’m worried about overstaying. I’ve heard that even a short overstay can cause serious issues if I ever want to come back to the U.S. in the future. At the same time, I feel bad about leaving so quickly because my family wants me to stay a little longer and enjoy this special moment with my brother. What are my options?
3 Responses
L

Lalita Chakraborty

Answered 3 months ago

User

You cannot overstay your visa, even by a few days, because it will be recorded and can affect future visa approvals. If you want to stay longer, you should file Form I-539 for an extension before your authorized stay expires.


USCIS will review your request, and while it’s pending, you can remain in the U.S. legally. However, approval is not guaranteed, so it’s best to apply as soon as possible.


Staying beyond your expiration date without filing could cause problems later.

N

Nkosinathi Ndlovu

Answered 3 months ago

User

If you cannot extend, it’s better to leave on time and avoid risking an overstay. Future U.S. visits will be much smoother if you respect the visa rules.

Overstays can lead to bans or denials of future visas.

M

Mahboubeh Mahboubeh

Answered 3 months ago

User

Another option is to return home before your authorized stay ends and plan for another visit later. U.S. immigration officers take overstays very seriously, and even one violation can complicate travel for years.


If your goal is to be with your family, you might also consider applying for a longer-term visa in the future, like a multiple-entry visa.


This way, you can attend milestones without worrying about deadlines. Protecting your immigration record is always the smarter choice.

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