Hi, I ( me and my spouse) came US through B2 visa valid for 6 months . My i-94 will expire in about a week. My ticket back to Nepal was cancelled by emirates due to covid-19 . There is no information about the date I can rebook the ticket or when Nepal will allow incoming flights. It is likely that that will be atleast a month or more for my flight re-booking.
My question is , Do i still need to file i-539 ( extension for stay) ? It is very unrealistic to apply for i-539 because , 1st - The issue was caused by covid and emirates cancelled the flight, 2nd- It is not our decision to overstay at all but we are forced to and that process takes incredibly long time and before the application is processed we might already get return ticket.
If i get the ticket for later date will i be stopped for illegal overstay at the airport because our visa and i-94 is expired? I am thinking that passport control with understand that I had no intention for illegal overstay but it was caused by covid-19. Also, it doesn't make any sense to submit i-539 by paying extra charge of 370$+ biometrics fee because that is really harsh and unfair for issue beyond our control. Will the customs officer understand our situation and grant us departure despite our i-94 and visa expiration ?
I am really worried at this point and can't think of anything I can do except going to airport with expired i-94 and nervous face. Europe government has extended all visitor visa for 3 months but that is not the case in the USA, and I don't know why.
My question is , Do i still need to file i-539 ( extension for stay) ? It is very unrealistic to apply for i-539 because , 1st - The issue was caused by covid and emirates cancelled the flight, 2nd- It is not our decision to overstay at all but we are forced to and that process takes incredibly long time and before the application is processed we might already get return ticket.
If i get the ticket for later date will i be stopped for illegal overstay at the airport because our visa and i-94 is expired? I am thinking that passport control with understand that I had no intention for illegal overstay but it was caused by covid-19. Also, it doesn't make any sense to submit i-539 by paying extra charge of 370$+ biometrics fee because that is really harsh and unfair for issue beyond our control. Will the customs officer understand our situation and grant us departure despite our i-94 and visa expiration ?
I am really worried at this point and can't think of anything I can do except going to airport with expired i-94 and nervous face. Europe government has extended all visitor visa for 3 months but that is not the case in the USA, and I don't know why.