Legal Question in Immigration Law in Maryland

How to change the status

I came to US from Russia to visit my father who is US citizen and I would like to stay. My guest visa expires in February. Are there any ways I can change my status? I can't apply for family visa as waiting time for Russia is over 7 years.

I am not married, 28 years old.


Asked on 11/06/07, 3:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Brown Law Office of Thomas K. Brown, LLC

Re: How to change the status

Yes, unfortunately you are no longer an "immediate relative" of your father because you are 21 or over, and therefore must wait through the backlog for an immigrant visa. A fairly common change of status (though still non-immigrant) is from tourist (B-2) to a student (F-1). If you're interested in studying in the US, enrolling in a program that meets certain requirements will allow you to stay in the US.

Another common situation is marriage to a US citizen. Not that I'm suggesting getting married purely for the sake of receiving an immigration benefit (which is illegal), but it does happen frequently.

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Answered on 11/06/07, 4:15 pm


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