B2 Visa Duration (USA-Canada-USA)

[JuicyFruit 0]

Hi Everybody,

I am planning a 7 month trip to the US and Canada and intending to apply for a B2 Tourist Visa (6 months) for the time in US.

I will enter the US in June and stay for 1 month. In July I travel to Canada and spend 1 month there. When I'm coming back to the US can I stay for 5 more months or only 4 more months? Does the 1 month I spend in Canada count into the 6 months B2 visa period?

Has anybody done a similar trip before?

I heard that there is a maximum stay of 180 days. Does anybody know if this applies to the calender year or for one year after entering the US?

How long do I have to be outside the US before I can can come back? (either with Visa Waiver Program or B2 Visa).

I am German, but the Visa Waiver Program does not work for such a long trip. Especially as times in Canada, Mexico or the Carribean Islands will not help to start over the 90 days.

Your help is highly appreciated as so far nobody could answer me my questions!

Thanks a Lot!!!

[canadian_wife 1,827]

Do you already have a B2 visa?

I do not believe your duration of stay in the US starts over if you step out of the US to Canada

good luck

[Krikit 1,165]

Hello, and welcome to VJ. Here is the official answer to your question:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/751/kw/visit

[JuicyFruit 0]

Thanks guys! that helps a lot!

From my previous visits to the US I have an approved ESTA until July 2014.

In case I get denied the B2 Visa, will this affect my Esta-Status?

Worst case I would have to go back to Germany and then re-enter to start the 90 days over. But I don't want to interrupt the trip for more than a couple of weeks, and would rather not spend so much money on the plane ticket... and I'm worried that only 2 weeks in Germany will not be enough to restart the 90 days!

I read a lot about insufficient ties to the home country being a problem to be granted a B2 Visa. Yes, I will quit my job in Germany to go travel a year through North and South America. And of course I don't have a guarantee to go back to my old job when I'm coming back.

I will travel with my American boyfriend/fiancee.. should i mention that at all? If i apply for a K1 Visa can I still enter with the ESTA or B2 Visa? So far we havent filed the K1 because I have no intention to live in the US or never stayed there for over 90 days.