changing length of stay

[teddy k 35]

hi everybody my friend is going to visit me for 1month but I want her to stay longer what do I have to do to make it happen do I have to file any paperwork?

[Noah Lot 391]

hi everybody my friend is going to visit me for 1month but I want her to stay longer what do I have to do to make it happen do I have to file any paperwork?

you cannot do anything....but remember, she told the VO she planned to stay a month...staying 6 months or a year could lead to her visa being revoked, because the VO might well believe she, er, fudged the truth...(and yes, the VOs can dial up entry/exit records)

[aaron2020 11,651]

hi everybody my friend is going to visit me for 1month but I want her to stay longer what do I have to do to make it happen do I have to file any paperwork?

You cannot do anything to help your friend.

Your friend qualify for a visitor visa on his/her own merits.

The POE officer has the discretion to allow him/her to visit the US for up to 6 months. It could be less than 6 months. It could also be no time.

It will be up to your friend to convince the officer why he/she needs more time in the US than what was disclosed when he/she obtained the visa.

[Neonred 3,562]

Congrats on the visa. She will be given an I-94 with the maximum amount of time she can stay written on it.

[Noah Lot 391]

and if the VOs check on her actual stay and compare it with what she said at her interview, it could be her last trip...

[Neonred 3,562]

and if the VOs check on her actual stay and compare it with what she said at her interview, it could be her last trip...

Doesn't matter what she told them at the embassy (of course she didn't even have a reservation or tickets yet) but she must not stay longer then what is written on the I-94.

[Noah Lot 391]

Doesn't matter what she told them at the embassy (of course she didn't even have a reservation or tickets yet) but she must not stay longer then what is written on the I-94.

sorry, but it DOES matter....the VOs know that people are routinely admitted for 6 months, but she told them she was going to stay for 1 because of all those alleged ties or reasons why she could not stay longer...if she does remain longer, then it means she lied to the VOs...and guess what lying results in?

[Neonred 3,562]

sorry, but it DOES matter....the VOs know that people are routinely admitted for 6 months, but she told them she was going to stay for 1 because of all those alleged ties or reasons why she could not stay longer...if she does remain longer, then it means she lied to the VOs...and guess what lying results in?

Plans change. If she does not overstay it will NOT be an issue. Period.

You are wrong.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Neonred

[teddy k 35]

Doesn't matter what she told them at the embassy (of course she didn't even have a reservation or tickets yet) but she must not stay longer then what is written on the I-94.

. Thank you. Neonred-I'll go by your advice you know what your talking about

[jaycali 415]

It doesn't matter how long she stays, as long as she leaves before the date stamped on her white I-94 slip.

What date she told the VO is irrelevant. You're allowed to change plans on a tourist visa as long as you don't overstay.

No paperwork needed other than a new plane ticket.

Edited April 27, 2012 by jaejayC

[Noah Lot 391]

Plans change. If she does not overstay it will NOT be an issue. Period.

You are wrong.

I am not. While she might be in lawful status, claiming to stay one month, then staying 6 or 12 means somebody lied...and it was not the VO. Have you ever worked in a consulate? I doubt it. I have. I have seen what happens to liars. Their visas are cancelled/revoked and it will be a cold day in the nether regions before they get another. Remind me again...from what kind of experience are you drawing your incorrect conclusions from? Do you speak for USCIS? CBP? The Dept of State?

But to the OP...you choose to believe whomever you want....but when your 'friend's' (i.e. girlfriend/fiancee) visa gets revoked after her prolonged stay, please direct all of your whining to Neonred. He will be happy to reissue the visa....oops...perhaps not...

the VOs have instant access to arrival/departure records and cases are frequently flagged in advance for verifying the time that a person spent in the US compared with the usual fairy tale they told during their interview.....but really...don't take my word for it...by all means, believe some Walmart clerk's opinion instead.

[Noah Lot 391]

oh, did I mention that the border officials can also dial up the electronic application and issuance notes made by the VO....from that source they can quiz the arriving 'friend' to see what sort of mind change took place during the flight....

[jaycali 415]

Plans change. If she does not overstay it will NOT be an issue. Period.You are wrong.

While she might be in lawful status, claiming to stay one month, then staying 6 or 12 means somebody lied...

I'm not too familiar with how it works with B-2s, but I know she won't be overstaying if she leaves before the date on the I-94. I also do know I've seen posts on here from people who've had their tourist visas revoked after return for not exactly living up to the story given at the interview..

I highly doubt it would be a big deal to extend her stay by a few weeks. But if she told the VO a month, and she ends up staying a full 6 months it might be a different case. Noah might be right about a possible revocation, but she won't be overstaying.

[Noah Lot 391]

I'm not too familiar with how it works with B-2s, but I know she won't be overstaying if she leaves before the date on the I-94. I also do know I've seen posts on here from people who've had their tourist visas revoked after return for not exactly living up to the story given at the interview..

I highly doubt it would be a big deal to extend her stay by a few weeks. But if she told the VO a month, and she ends up staying a full 6 months it might be a different case. Noah might be right about a possible revocation, but she won't be overstaying.

Like I said....she may be in lawful status....but if the VO's decide to backcheck her stay and see a dramatic difference, well, they will draw a conclusion that she was not truthful with them....and then....kiss that visa good bye.....in seconds. And you (the OP) can write your congressman, whine to the visa section or thump your chest all you want and you will achieve exactly nothing.

BTW, what is wrong with doing exactly what one says? Your 'friend's airplane hasn't even left the ground and already there is a mind change in the offing....which suggests a phony story at the outset....

[Neonred 3,562]

I am not. While she might be in lawful status, claiming to stay one month, then staying 6 or 12 means somebody lied...and it was not the VO. Have you ever worked in a consulate? I doubt it. I have. I have seen what happens to liars. Their visas are cancelled/revoked and it will be a cold day in the nether regions before they get another. Remind me again...from what kind of experience are you drawing your incorrect conclusions from? Do you speak for USCIS? CBP? The Dept of State?

But to the OP...you choose to believe whomever you want....but when your 'friend's' (i.e. girlfriend/fiancee) visa gets revoked after her prolonged stay, please direct all of your whining to Neonred. He will be happy to reissue the visa....oops...perhaps not...

the VOs have instant access to arrival/departure records and cases are frequently flagged in advance for verifying the time that a person spent in the US compared with the usual fairy tale they told during their interview.....but really...don't take my word for it...by all means, believe some Walmart clerk's opinion instead.

So Noah, tell us what YOU know about the Russian embassy. You don't list any info about visas or a specific country that you are associated with. How much experience have you had with tourist visas from Russia? I have had plenty. I can tell you they will NOT be giving 6 or 12 months on the I-94, (where do you come up with that #######???) Typically it is 90 days. ALSO, none of our friends or relatives were asked to state a specific time frame for how long they were staying. The OP may have sent an invitation, but of course you know how much weight that holds, right?

Again, to the OP, you will be fine to extend her stay up to the amount of time on the I-94, which is typically 90 days. They WILL NOT cancel/revoke the visa if she stays up to the max 90 days. Feel free to use any and all of that time. One warning, however, do not use the 90 days and have her leave for a short time and then return for another 90 days. This WILL cause further questioning.

If you need further info or would like details on the several Russian tourist visas our friends and relatives have received fell free to send me a PM. Also ask this question in the RUB forum where you will find others that can you good advice unlike Noah.