¿Qué sucede cuando un solicitante presenta una extensión de estatus y solicitudes subsiguientes?

Angelica Rice • January 19, 2023

Click here to read this article in Portuguese and English

     Todo el mundo sabe que el gobierno exige que todas y cada una de las solicitudes presentadas se presenten “a tiempo”.


     Sin embargo, ¿qué significa exactamente “a tiempo” o “presentación en el tiempo apropiado”? Esta redacción y terminología pueden resultar confusas para muchos solicitantes, ya que no todas las solicitudes tienen una fecha límite de presentación clara y no todas las circunstancias de presentación son uniformes.


     A menudo, existe la necesidad de presentar más de una solicitud para un solicitante. A veces, estas solicitudes se presentarán al mismo tiempo, pero otras veces, ocurren circunstancias espontáneas que requieren una segunda presentación o una subsiguiente de una solicitud adicional.


      Por ejemplo, un solicitante está aquí en los Estados Unidos con una visa B-2. Estas visas tienen una fecha de vencimiento determinada y, para extender su estatus, debe presentar una solicitud para extender el estatus (Formulario I-539) antes de esa fecha de vencimiento. Digamos que el solicitante presenta “en el tiempo apropiado” (antes de la fecha de vencimiento de su visa actual y el I-94) su I-539, solicitud de extensión de estatus. Sin embargo, aproximadamente un mes después, después de que su visa B-2 y I-94 hayan expirado y mientras la solicitud de extensión aún está pendiente, tiene una nueva oportunidad y decide presentar una petición I-129, para una visa E-2. Además, tiene que presentar una solicitud I-539 adicional para cambiar de estatus porque ahora cambiará de su estatus B-2 actual a su nuevo estatus E-2, una vez que se apruebe la visa E-2.


*Nota: la solicitud de extensión de estatus (EOS) y cambio de estatus (COS) son el mismo formulario, I-539*


     Ahora, el solicitante hipotético tiene tres (3) solicitudes pendientes con USCIS, dos de las cuales se presentaron después de que expiró su estado actual. ¿Aceptará USCIS estas solicitudes, ya que no se presentaron "en el tiempo apropiado"?


     La respuesta es que una solicitud pendiente no confiere un estatus migratorio legal al solicitante. Sin embargo, debido a la solicitud I-539 pendiente que se presentó oportunamente antes del vencimiento del I-94, el solicitante se encuentra en un "período autorizado de estadía" y puede permanecer en los Estados Unidos hasta que se adjudique su solicitud.


*Tenga en cuenta la diferencia entre "estatus legal" y "período de estadía autorizado", uno solo obtiene "estatus legal" una vez que se le ha otorgado un beneficio de inmigración (es decir, una vez que su solicitud ha sido aprobada). *


     Un solicitante puede presentar una solicitud adicional después de la expiración de su estatus de no inmigrante mientras la solicitud EOS o COS presentada en el tiempo apropiado del solicitante está pendiente. En tales casos, el oficial debe diferir la adjudicación de la solicitud adicional hasta que USCIS adjudique la solicitud EOS o COS. Si USCIS finalmente aprueba la solicitud EOS o COS, se considera que el solicitante tiene un estatus migratorio legal en la fecha en que se presenta la solicitud adicional. Si USCIS niega la solicitud de EOS o COS, entonces generalmente se considera que el solicitante se encuentra en un estado de inmigración ilegal a partir de la expiración del estado actual de no inmigrante del solicitante y, de la misma manera, en la fecha en que se presenta la solicitud de ajuste.


     Básicamente, USCIS adjudicará primero la solicitud de extensión y pospondrá la adjudicación de las solicitudes posteriores, ya que no se "presentaron en el tiempo apropiado". No será hasta que se tome una decisión sobre la solicitud de extensión, que USCIS determinará si puede seguir adelante con la adjudicación de las solicitudes posteriores.



Este blog no pretende ser un consejo legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que lea aquí.

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Angelica Rice

UPDATE: Federal Court Postpones DHS Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S)

By Juliana LaMendola • September 22, 2026
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions.  Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.

DHS Final Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S): Practice Tips and Transition Procedures

By Juliana LaMendola • September 3, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits.  There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.

USCIS Issues Updated Guidance on Public Charge Rules

By Kris Quadros-Ragar • August 27, 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
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