extending wife's stay while she's here in the states

[JaJo08 0]

Hello VJ'ers-

We are in the dreaded wait for the interview in Montreal, case was completed on 1/13/10. Called NVC today and found out they are done for March scheduling which I didn't really think we'd get into anyways, so here's to April!

On another note, my wife is currently here in the states visiting me. She arrived on 2/8 and was planning on staying until 2/23 as we are house hunting . But we haven't quite accomplished everything that needs to be done so she is thinking of extending her stay here til 3/6. Is this going to be an issue at the interview? That will put her here for about 3 and a half weeks in total. The US border guard stamped her passport with a class B2 visa so I know that's valid for up to six months, but obviously she's not going to stay that long. Just wanted to make sure this was okay. I don't see any issues being under 30 days correct?

thanks all!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hello VJ'ers-

We are in the dreaded wait for the interview in Montreal, case was completed on 1/13/10. Called NVC today and found out they are done for March scheduling which I didn't really think we'd get into anyways, so here's to April!

On another note, my wife is currently here in the states visiting me. She arrived on 2/8 and was planning on staying until 2/23 as we are house hunting . But we haven't quite accomplished everything that needs to be done so she is thinking of extending her stay here til 3/6. Is this going to be an issue at the interview? That will put her here for about 3 and a half weeks in total. The US border guard stamped her passport with a class B2 visa so I know that's valid for up to six months, but obviously she's not going to stay that long. Just wanted to make sure this was okay. I don't see any issues being under 30 days correct?

thanks all!

Ummm well as you said, you have 6 months validity on the visa so no, staying less than 4 weeks won't matter at all.

[Sprailenes 47]

YES IT WILL MATTER!!!!!!

I'm totally kidding. You'll be fine.

[raymaga 25]

I don't know what a B2 visa is, but I'm curious why a Canadian needed any type of visa at all to visit?

[trailmix 77]

Yes, details are missing here. Plus if she was given a B2 - there should be an I-94 and on the I-94 it should say how long she can stay for.

[v333k 59]

Yes, details are missing here. Plus if she was given a B2 - there should be an I-94 and on the I-94 it should say how long she can stay for.

Exactly - there should be a stamp for duration of stay and there should be a date on it. Visa is granted for 6 months but that doesn't mean you can stay for 6 months. Check your I-94 and make sure you don't stay beyond the stamp there.

[JaJo08 0]

I don't know what a B2 visa is, but I'm curious why a Canadian needed any type of visa at all to visit?

Thanks for the replies. My wife didn't get the I-94 back? I believe you are referring to the form that is filled out at customs correct? I looked at the form online and it doesn't ask for the specific length of stay here and she didn't receive it back since they took it from her at the border when they admitted her and stamped her passport. What other details are missing that can help make the situation clearer?

there is only the stamp in her passport and it says "admitted feb 08 2010 class until _____" and in the blank spot the guard wrote in "B2".

Edited February 16, 2010 by JaJo08

[trailmix 77]

Thanks for the replies. My wife didn't get the I-94 back? I believe you are referring to the form that is filled out at customs correct? I looked at the form online and it doesn't ask for the specific length of stay here and she didn't receive it back since they took it from her at the border when they admitted her and stamped her passport. What other details are missing that can help make the situation clearer?

there is only the stamp in her passport and it says "admitted feb 08 2010 class until _____" and in the blank spot the guard wrote in "B2".

Well it's just that if your wife is a Canadian citizen, the fact that she got a B2 at all is a bit out of the ordinary.

Also, the I-94 has two portions, the bottom portion should be retained in the passport and returned to customs when she departs the country.

"The bottom section of CBP Form I-94 is a departure record and must be returned to U.S. officials upon exiting the United States". link

Anyway, i'm not trying to make you paranoid or make this any more complicated than it needs to be, just curious

[Colleens 40]

Both the times I flew to visit my finace from Ottawa (rather than driving and flying out of syracuse) I recieved a stamp and then the border agent wrote in B2. One wrote a date 6 months from entry and the other one was left blank. I am pretty sure that they kept my I-94 as well.

[JaJo08 0]

Well it's just that if your wife is a Canadian citizen, the fact that she got a B2 at all is a bit out of the ordinary.

Also, the I-94 has two portions, the bottom portion should be retained in the passport and returned to customs when she departs the country.

"The bottom section of CBP Form I-94 is a departure record and must be returned to U.S. officials upon exiting the United States". link

Anyway, i'm not trying to make you paranoid or make this any more complicated than it needs to be, just curious

Thanks Trailmix, I see what you are saying on the form, but since she didn't get it back, I'm not sure what to go off of then.

Being what it is, do you see a problem with her staying the extra week and half then?

[trailmix 77]

Thanks Trailmix, I see what you are saying on the form, but since she didn't get it back, I'm not sure what to go off of then.

Being what it is, do you see a problem with her staying the extra week and half then?

Not at all!

[Allie 5]

While waiting for an interview date in 2007. I stayed in Spokane from Feb.23 to May 12. All they did was stamp my passport on entering the U.S. They didn't put an I-94 or a written date for returning to Canada in the passport the stamp just shows the date I entered.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Not the B2, but the stamp on the I-94 matters in regard on how long she's authorized to stay. A B2 can be extended once without problems, provided there's a plausible reason for this, which is the case in your case. An extension will have no bearing on your case at all.

[kizza 1]

I find the fact that she was given a B2 odd too. I believe B2s are usually valid for 6 months, but if I were you, I would verify how long it is valid for in her case, because here is what happened to me 2 years ago.

I entered the US, answered a couple of standard questions. I got a stamp (like you described) and the CO wrote some illegible scribble on it (I showed it to a CBP supervisor later and she couldnt decypher it either.).

Never paid attention to it. I presumed I was allowed to stay 6 months.

Turned out I was given a 1 month visa but never was told. I never got an I-94 either.

So since it is a little unusual to get a visa, I would double-check just in case.

[Revenesque 2]

Why is it odd to get a B2? Over the last 5 yrs, I have a bunch of B2s visas stamped all over my passport due to visiting boyfriend-then-fiance-finally-hubby in the US. I thought it was just an ordinary travel visa, good for 6 months?