Can MIL stay longer than 6 months?

[Me&Her 2]

MIL is visiting on an one-year, multiple entry visitor visa. She was granted to stay six months. Is there anyway to have the 6-month extended to say, 10-month? If so, how?

If not, what other way to do it? Travel out of the country and re-enter so that the 6-month count restart?

Thanks!

[Done--Really 331]

A definite maybe.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=94d12c1a6855d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

First, the mother may request a visa extension, but be mindful of these facts, if the extension is not granted her time over the six months will be counted as an overstay. If she overstays without the proper permission, the multi-entry visa will become null and void. Most of the time the extension is not known until after the applicant has overstayed their orginal time.

Second, the reason for the extension must be a valid reason.

[Mariana2012 89]

MIL is visiting on an one-year, multiple entry visitor visa. She was granted to stay six months. Is there anyway to have the 6-month extended to say, 10-month? If so, how?

If not, what other way to do it? Travel out of the country and re-enter so that the 6-month count restart?

Thanks!

Rentering won't reset the clock. One can only be a tourist up to 6 months a year unless you get extended. Usually extensions are denied.

[Me&Her 2]

Rentering won't reset the clock. One can only be a tourist up to 6 months a year unless you get extended. Usually extensions are denied.

So basically, what you are saying is that even though MIL's visa is valid for a year, the maximum time she can stay is 6 months, even if she flights between US and Canada daily, and on the 181 day, she will be denied entry to the US, even the visa is still valid?

I see that filing for the extension costs $290, if "usually extensions are denied", why bother throwing the $290 away?

[Mariana2012 89]

So basically, what you are saying is that even though MIL's visa is valid for a year, the maximum time she can stay is 6 months, even if she flights between US and Canada daily, and on the 181 day, she will be denied entry to the US, even the visa is still valid?

I see that filing for the extension costs $290, if "usually extensions are denied", why bother throwing the $290 away?

Not sure about " the daily flights " but total time should not exced 6 months in a 12 months periond

[Me&Her 2]

Not sure about " the daily flights " but total time should not exced 6 months in a 12 months periond

Interesting... What is the source of your statement?

[Mariana2012 89]

Interesting... What is the source of your statement?

Best way is to search on the site of the embassy your visitor is from. All the details of the visitor visas are there, but regardless of the country , the general rule is up to 6 months a year for visitors

Edited February 27, 2013 by Mariana2012

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Your mother's visa is good for a year, but that doesn't mean that she can visit for a year. You are confusing two things. She has one year to request multiple entries to the US, say a month in Jan, a week in April, and 2 weeks in September. On each of these entries she can present her visa. Instead, you are trying to max out her stay on the first visit, which makes it seem to me like a renewal of that visa will be denied, after her year is up.

Many tourist visas are good for 10 years, which means that the person can come and go on that visa for 10 years. It does NOT mean you live in the US for 10 years.

Six months at a time is the maximum allotted for a tourist visa, per visit.

Edited February 27, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Darnell 8,479]

since this is her first visa, why to try to break her future chances by chasing after an extension? Chances are high she won't be granted the extension.

flights into Mexico and Canada do not count for the clock resetting, fwiw. Plan accordingly.

OTOH - she could go home now, and return later inside of her one year window. not suggest a quick turn around in China, though.

Ultimately, she'll want to get the 2nd visa after the first one expires - as MAYBE (yes, still a gamble) she'll get the 10 year version.

[SBB 74]

Extensions are only granted for a valid reason and just wanting to hang out in the US for a year is rarely considered to be one.