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               EXTENSION & CHANGE OF STATUS - (b1, b2, j-1, h2b, h2r, f-1, p1, l1 etc. )

FIRST TIME

 To file a request for an extension of stay/change of status we need (send us by mail please !) the following documents (COPIES ONLY!): - beware of immigration scams, the wrong help can hurt !
- visa, I-94 Departure Record, and passport (the last page where the passport photo and all the vital data are)
- bank statement - min. ending balance around $2000-3000/person

- for H2B, H2R and J-1 visa holders the bank statement can be replaced with the last/recent pay-stubs/payment checks/earning statement from the company you work for - enclose either the bank statement or payment checks - (or both if possible)

-  airplane ticket (optional) - if you still have it - make a copy and attach
- if you have a working visa (H-2B, J-1, H2R)  we need a copy of your SSN card - if you have been issued one in the past
- if you have J-1 visa make a copy of the SEVIS Form DS-2019
- mailing address in your home country & in the USA - (your USA mailing address should be stable, reliable for 6 months, no changes please !) - we do not change mailing address after filing the extension request ! - it can be a relative/friend's address, just make sure that you'll receive the USCIS notification 
- your e-mail address and your phone number in the USA - if you provide us an e-mail address and a mobile phone number the USCIS will send you electronic notification ( both e-mail and/or text message) within 24 hours of accepting your your application or petition with your case number !
- currently the USCIS fee is $290, and our fee to process the extension request is $110 - grand total is $400; - in case of a family (for husband and wife with/without kids our processing fee is altogether $150)
- please send us via mail the above-mentioned copies, documents, and data with a $400 money order *** (the money order should be filled out for Pataki Center)

*** you can buy money order at the Post Office, Western Union, Wall Mart, pharmacies, gas stations etc.
-  we always contact you and confirm the reception of your mail (just to have the peace of mind), and process your request as soon as we get it

ATTENTION: - please pay attention to the details, and give us all the above information requested, so we can get your case approved  - (send us via mail your extension request - no fax or email accepted !)

- double check and recheck that all the above-requested copies, data and fee are in the envelope before you mail it to us
- do not mail your documents to us without proper fee ($400); mail it to us when you are ready to file, otherwise we cannot process your request

- make sure you display/write your name on the mailbox, so the mailman can clearly see that, otherwise you'll not receive any USCIS notice (it is the policy of the Postal Office, because the mail comes from the US Government - (USCIS) !

- before you send us the mail, double check (!) that your phone number and email address are included 

SECOND OR THIRD TIME In case of a second or a third time extension (each time six months) we need again the above-mentioned copies in the section of "First Time", plus a bank statement of yours and the copy of the USCIS Approval Notice for all the previous or current extension or change of status.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCYIn case of emergency (when the filing deadline is very close, because you are about to stay over your legal term, over the expiration date of your valid I-94 Departure Record or your US visa in some cases - USCIS is very sensitive to terms and datelines). To make sure that your mail gets to the USCIS in time, please send us the $400 fee, plus the cost for the overnight/express mail $20, grand total $420 in form of money order filled out for Pataki Center. We send your case of extension or change of status request in an expedite way (overnight express), this way you can be sure that your application will get in time to the USCIS.

 We might be able to help you, if you are out of status not more than 90 days !

In order to stay legally in the USA a person has to maintain legal status all along in the USA and has to file a request for extension of stay or change of status - processing starts - not sooner than 45 days prior to the expiration of the I-94 Departure Record or USA visa (in some visa categories H2B, J-1, B-2 etc.). If a person leaves the USA without a valid status then the person would be barred next time to enter in the USA; overstaying the legal term allowed in the USA can jeopardize the person's next visit, and can have as serious consequences as the person could be barred from three to ten years to enter into the USA.

Every time a person files a request for an extension of stay or change of status to the USCIS (starting from Nov. 23, 2010 the USCIS fee for extension of stay or change of status is $290) the person always has to receive within 30 days a USCIS Notice (informing the person about the ongoing and pending case) with a case number. Be aware of unscrupulous individuals, attorneys and rouge agencies etc., because when you do not get any USCIS notice or case number within 30 days that should be a red flag. Start asking questions, and if you get the runaround from their part that might indicate that your case had never been submitted to the USCIS, and you might be out of status already, but you do not even know it yet. The USCIS will process your application within 45 days prior to the expiration of your I-94, and they will send you a mail notice about the case. All USCIS notices comes straight to you. Regarding the ongoing case of yours, you will get the conformation straight from the USCIS  (text msg, email msg, and mail notice).

Just because someone's request has been denied in a status category (like H2B, B-2 etc.) that does not mean that the person cannot request a status change or an extension in another status category (like B2 etc.). The B2 status is very flexible and the person can change it back again to H2B, F1 etc. status or request another extension in B2 (three times six months). Let us know your situation so we can advise you a solution and most of all maintain or get you back into a valid and legal status. Our office has a history of reliability, credibility and accuracy and we are ready to help you all the way in the process of extension and change of status. We can request an extension of stay and change your status for maximum of six months in order to stay legally in the country. If you have any question please e-mail, text msg. or call us. THE WRONG HELP CAN HURT, BEWARE OF IMMIGRATION SCAMS ! Call us please, and don't waste your time, money, and energy on scam artists !