Visa of Parent caregiver of blind F-1 student

[Bruce E. M. 0]

I met tonight with a mother and daughter from China. The daughter, who is blind, is in the US on a 2-year F-1 visa, working on a master's degree in music. Her mother is accompanying her with a B-2 visa, which must be renewed every six months. Apparently a B-2 visa is the only possible visa that a parent or sibling may use to accompany a blind F-1 student as a live-in assistant for the blind student while in the US. It seems that it would make sense for the mother to be able to obtain a visa of the same duration as her blind daughter's, because the length of stay is to be coterminous. But there seems to be no provision in US immigration rules and regulations that would allow such a sensible outcome. Does any reader know whether I am wrong in reaching that conclusion?

[amykathleen2005 441]

I think B2 visas typically can only be issued for 6 months at a time so they can't officially stretch it out until they file for an extension. The mother will not be working and doesn't have any specific qualifications required for any other type of visa so i guess that is the only one she can go with.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Actually "Caring" for her daughter is work. They may run into issues if they hit the wrong immigration officer

[bigdog 376]

Visitor Visas

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The visitor visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment (B-2). International travelers with visitor visas comprise a large portion of temporary visitor travel to the United States every year. For how-to-apply information, documentation requirements and more, see these webpages: Visitor Visas for Business and Pleasure

Business Travel to the United States - What Type of U.S. Visa Will You Need? (pdf)

Business Visa Center - For companies in the U.S., seeking business (B-1) visitor visa information

When did common sense ever enter into dealing with the government. You can change to other non immigrant visas, not up on how you would do the shift to straight immigration.

[Boiler 45,525]

Similar to when a B2 is issued for co cohabitation.

She would get a new 6 months on re entry so if they time their trips back home accordingly, should not be a problem.