- Immigration
Talent-Based Visas
- O Visa
- O-1 Entertainment Visas
- O-1A Visa
- O-1B Visa for Artists
- P Visa
- P-1 Visa
- P-1 Visa For Athletics
- EB-1 Visa
- P-3 Visa
- Q Visa
Family Visas
- Adjustment of Status
- Readjustment of Status
- I-130 with Provisional Waiver
- Green Cards Through Marriage
- Parents of US Citizens
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Sibling Immigration
- O-3 Family Eligibility
Employment Visas
- EB-2/PERM Process
- EB-2/NIW Process
- EB-2 Visa
- L1 Visas for Managers and Executives
Deportation Defense
- Deportation Process and Defense
- Asylum
- Cancellation of Removal
- BIA And Federal Court Appeals
Investment Visas
- E2 Visas
- EB-5 Visas
- EB-5 Eligibility Requirements
- EB-5 Investor Visa FAQs
Other Services
- Naturalization
- Citizenship
- Green Card
- Entering the US with an Immigrant Visa
- Visa Waiver Program
- Board of Immigration Appeals1
- Board of Immigration Appeals2
- Appealing an Immigration Decision
- Tourist Visas
- Entertainment
Entertainment Division
We regularly assist with production and distribution issues related to financing, copyright, trademarks, syndicates, regulation, and contractual agreements across various media channels and formats.
Entertainment, media and advertising companies need lawyers who can quickly and efficiently help in international and multidisciplinary matters. Intellectual property rights, advertising rights, transactional media and digital technology are at the heart of our entertainment law.
Entertainment
Entertainment Areas
- Copyright, Trademark and Publicity Rights
- International Trademark and Copyright
- Dispute Resolution for Art and Cultural Heritage Service
- Intellectual Property Acquisition, Licensing, Vetting and Distribution
- Protection and Prosecution of Intellectual Property Rights
- Data Ownership, Data Privacy and Monetization of Data
- Audio and Visual Productions
- Music Licensing and Resolution of Music Publishing Disputes
- Artist Concerts and Touring
- Merchandising and Other Ancillary Revenue Opportunities
- Film and Television Agreements From Development Through Distribution
- Authors and Print Media Publishers
- Advertising, Sweepstakes Law and Regulation
- Financing and Private Equity Investments
- Artist and Union Agreements
- Athlete and Celebrity Appearances, Endorsem*nt and Service Agreements
About Us
We don’t want you to live with fear.
Ourfirm is committed to providing personalized representation to individuals seeking to enter and remain in the United States.
Who We Are
Sethimaz Team
At Sethi & Mazaheri, we have a dedicated team ready to serve you. A client’s experience with our firm is focused on comfort and support, so you won’t have to wait hours or days for a return call or e-mail.
Our Team
- U.S. Visa Authorization Form
- Low-Income Immigration Fund
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Disclaimer
- EEO Statement
- Privacy
- Insight
Immigration Blogs
Navigating Life After Your O-1B Visa Approval: A Comprehensive Guide by Sethi and Mazaheri LLC
August 15, 2023
EB-1: Understanding the U.S. Visa Bulletin and the EB-1 Visa Category (September 2023)
August 14, 2023
Do I Need an Artist Visa to Attend an Artist Residency or a Fellowship?
November 12, 2021
What is F-1/H-1B Cap-Gap Extension?
November 5, 2021
240-Day Extension Rule for O-1, P-3, H-1B, and L1 Visa
November 3, 2021
Different Visa Options Available for Managers and Executives
November 1, 2021
Browse All Blogs
Immigration Insights
COVID 19 Travel Related Ban
September 20, 2021
How to Transfer a Us Immigration Case to Another Embassy
September 6, 2021
COVID: What is National Interest Exception (NIE) and How to Seek It for Travel to the USA
August 30, 2021
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey Case
May 6, 2021
The Dream Act 2021 – (Dreamers Dream)
April 16, 2021
A Closer Look at the Dream and Promise Act of 2021
April 8, 2021
Read All Insights
News Room
A wheelchair, a boy and what came of those migrant buses sent to D.C.
April 15, 2023
Biden says he’s expanding some migrants’ health care access
April 14, 2023
Cuba expects to resume US deportation flights this month
April 14, 2023
A Visa Backlog Abroad Is Taking a Toll Inside the U.S., Too
April 13, 2023
Migrants ignore Title 42 warnings, cross U.S. border by the hundreds
April 13, 2023
Read All News
Sethimaz In The Press
ماموران اداره مرزبانی آمریکا مستقر در فرودگاه تورنتو کانادا مانع سفر علیرضا قربانی، خواننده، به آمریکا شدند.
April 3, 2022
Iranian vocalist, headliner at Segerstrom Nowruz celebration interrogated, denied U.S. entry
April 1, 2022
Press Page
Sethimaz Events
Sethimaz Immigration Webinars – Episode 1 (Family-Based)
September 10, 2020
Events Page
- Contact Us
Contact Us
Let’s talk about your case. Contact us for a consultation and we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.
Our lawyers can help, so get a case evaluation today.
Contact Us
Call Now
Contáctenos
Estamos aquí para luchar por usted.
Sethi & Mazaheri LLC es una firma de servicios completos con oficinas en Nueva York, New Jersey y una ubicación para reuniones con clientes en la área de Washington D.C..
Contáctenos
Llama ahora
Contate-Nos
Vamos falar sobre o seu caso. Contacte-nos para uma consulta e teremos o maior prazer em responder todas as suas questões.
Sethi and Mazaheri LLC é um escritório de imigração que oferece serviços para nossos clientes em português.
Contate-Nos
Ligue agora
تماس با ما
به سبزی اعتقادمان ٬سفیدی اعتمادمان٬ و سرخی فریادمان
دفاتر حقوقی ستی و مظاهری در حال حاضر در شهرهای نیویورک، نیوجرسی و کلانشهر واشنگتن دی سی واقع شده و آماده ارايه خدمات حقوقی به مراجعین میباشد
ارتباط با ما
الان تماس بگیرید
My Case
- فارسی
Back to all
- Immigration Appeals
A nonimmigrant may request and be granted an extension of stay in the United States by the USCIS. However, the extension is subject to requirements and circ*mstances, and the decision may differ from case to case. To extend the stay as a nonimmigrant worker in the US, one must file form I-539 for oneself and all the dependents, whereas their employer (if they sponsor the nonimmigrant visa) must file Form I-129.
Form I-539 is submitted before the current authorized stay expires as it bridges the gap that may arise between the expiration of current status and validity of future status. It is advisable to file the form at least 45 days before the expiry of the current status. Suppose you file your extension petition a few days before the expiry of your visa status. In that case, your status will likely expire before the decision of your extension petition is made, and you have to leave the United States.
What is Form I-539?
I-539 is an application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. It can be used by:
- Individuals changing their current nonimmigrant status to another nonimmigrant status
- Nonimmigrant extending their stay
- CNMI applying for an initial grant of status
- F and M nonimmigrants applying for reinstatement
- An applicant seeking the status of or extension of stay as a V nonimmigrant
The applicants majorly use this form to change or extend their nonimmigrant status.
You are required to complete the following details in the form:
In Part 1, information such as the family name, mailing address, date of birth, and current nonimmigrant status
Part 2 deals with the application type and has questions relating to the subject of the application, the status requested by the applicant, and the total number of people included in the application.
Other details which need to be completed can be found on the form. The applicant needs to submit the latest version of the Form, which can be found on the website of USCIS, and the applicant can set up an appointment through the website.
Required Documents
While filling your I-539 form, make sure to submit the following documents:
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of passport identification page
- Form I-539
- Copy of Form 1-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) for every applicant
- Copy of current visa
- Applicant’s Statement
- Contact information
- Declaration of any other evidence to prove your lawful status while in the US before submitting the present application for change of status
- Receipt of the filing fee
Note that the applicant may be required to provide additional evidence based on the type of the current status and the requested status.
Processing of an I-539 application
- The USCIS will check the completeness of the application form.
- USCIS may request more information or evidence to support your application.
- An interview may be held at a USCIS office (if USCIS requires more information from the applicant) based on the application where the applicant may be required to provide for the biometrics to verify the identity and/or update background and security checks.
- The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing.
The processing of the I-539 application generally ranges from a few weeks to over a year. You can check the processing time on the official website of USCIS.
Filing Fees
The filing fee for an I-539 form is $370. Apart from the filing fees, the applicant may be required to pay $85 for the biometric services for every applicant. Note that fees paid are non-refundable regardless of any action on the application.
There are certain exceptions to the fees:
- There is no need to submit the filing fee or the biometric fee if the applicant is changing in or out of A-1, A-2, A-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 status.
- Biometric services need not be paid if the applicant changes or extends their H-4, L-2, E-1, E-2, E-2C, E-3, or E-3D nonimmigrant status.
Are there any exceptions if I fail to file an I-539 petition before my current status expires?
In case the applicant fails to apply before your current status expires, the applicant may be excused if the applicant proves the following:
- The delay was due to inevitable extraordinary circ*mstances.
- Reasonable length of delay
- The applicant is a bona fide nonimmigrant
- No removal proceedings against the applicant are pending
- There has been no violation of status by the applicant
What happens if you leave before your extension is approved?
Suppose the applicant leaves the US before a decision is made on their application to extend and they plan to return to the US in the future, the applicant must keep a copy of their application in addition to the receipt notice to show to the Immigration Inspector on their return travel to the US. Otherwise, the applicant may be denied entry for overstaying on your last visit.
Generally, suppose the applicant is abroad while the application is pending. In that case, the USCIS deems the application as abandoned, and the application will be rejected. You will then have to visit the US Embassy to apply for a new visa to re-enter. It is not advisable to leave the US while your I-539 petition is pending, but if you have an emergency make sure to consult an immigration attorney to guide you.
Your doubts related to the I-539 application must be resolved. However, if you still have queries or want to discuss your immigration case, make sure to message us. Immigration Attorneys at Sethi and Mazaheri law firm do their best to help as many people as possible in their travel to the US.
Previous
Next
You might also read
PERM: Complete Guide to EB-2 Visa and PERM Process
Available Options if Your Immigration Process Is Taking Longer Than Usual
Ways to Appeal a USCIS Decision
How to Appeal an Unfavorable Immigration Decision
All About Notice of Intent to Deny
Let us work on your case
- New York (646-405-9846)
- New Jersey (201-606-2267)
Or simply fill out the form and one of our attorneys will get back to you pretty shortly.
By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.