B2 Change of Status

Overview

A change of status to B2 lets you switch to B-2 visitor status from inside the U.S. when your reason for being here has become tourism, visiting family or friends, or medical treatment. A common example is a B1 to B2 change, where a business visitor's work is done but they want to stay longer for personal reasons. People in other eligible nonimmigrant categories, such as a student who has finished a program, may also request it. The request is filed with USCIS on Form I-539.

B-2 status is for temporary visits. It does not allow you to work or to enroll in a full course of study, so your application should explain what you plan to do, how long you need to stay, how you will pay for your stay, and that you plan to leave at the end of it. You generally must be in valid status and file before your I-94 expires.

Visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) cannot change status this way. Approval does not give you a new visa stamp, and leaving the U.S. while the application is pending generally abandons it.

Who this is for

• You came as a B-1 business visitor and want to stay longer for tourism or family visits (B1 to B2)
• A family member in the U.S. needs your support, for example after a birth or during an illness
• You need to stay for medical treatment and can document the treatment and how you will pay for it
• You finished a program in another nonimmigrant status and want time to travel before going home
• You plan to return home at the end of your visit and your I-94 has not expired

How it works

1. 1

   Review your situation

   We look at how you entered, your current status, your I-94 date and your reasons for staying to see whether a change to B-2 generally fits.

2. 2

   Explain your reason for staying

   We help you put your plans into clear words, whether it is family, travel or medical treatment, and gather the documents that support them.

3. 3

   Prepare Form I-539 and evidence

   We prepare Form I-539 (and I-539A for family members) with your financial records, travel plans and proof of ties to your home country.

4. 4

   Review the package with you

   Before filing, we review the full application with you so every date and detail is consistent.

5. 5

   File and stay informed

   The application is filed with USCIS before your I-94 expires, and we keep you updated on receipts, requests for evidence and the decision.

Documents you'll usually need

• Form I-539 (and Form I-539A for family members included)
• Copy of your passport, current visa and I-94 record
• A statement explaining why you want to stay and for how long
• Proof of funds, such as bank statements or a host's support letter
• Letters from family you are visiting or medical records and a doctor's letter, if relevant
• Return ticket or travel itinerary
• Evidence of ties to your home country, such as a job, home or family

Timing

File before your current I-94 expires and request only the time you actually need for your visit. If your stay is linked to a medical treatment schedule or a family event, include those dates in your explanation. Processing times and fees change, so check the current information USCIS publishes on uscis.gov.

Frequently asked questions

This page is general information about how these applications usually work, not advice for your specific case. USCIS rules, forms and fees change; check uscis.gov for the latest.