parents visiting grandchild

[Ridcully41 1]

hi

i'm sorry if i am asking a stupid question

my parents would like to visit us a lot they have absolutely no intention of moving to the USA. However they arn't sure how not to abuse their VWP status, they would like to come over several times a year they have no intention of ever exceeding 90 days in one trip ,however they would like to come over several times a year which may exceed 90 days overall in one year. They are retired so time is their own and they would love to see their grandaughter and to spend time with her ,however we are a bit worried that this might be classified as them working illegally in the USA or am i being paranoid?

i guess my question is is ok for my parents to do this? and is the 90 day rule for one trip or for the whole year?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

There are no specific limits on the number of visits under VWP.

Every entry is up to the judgement of the CBP officer who interviews you at entry.

It depends on how "regular" the trips are, what you tell the officer as far as why you are entering and leaving so often,

and how believable it is that you don't intend to just stay on longer than what you've said.

A good rule of thumb is to spend as much time OUT of the US as you have IN.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

It's 90 days max in one trip. They can come and go, but should not give the impression they are trying to live in the USA- if they are trying to be inside the USA more than 180 days a year, they may face difficulty.

[Ridcully41 1]

ok thanks for the info, like i said they have no intention of moving to the USA all their other grandchildren live over in the UK and i know they would hate to be away from them for too long.so if i understand correctly as long as they don't stay longer than 90 days in one visit and never more than 180 days in one year they arn't abusing the VWP.

of course it is always up to the CPB officer on the border to let them in

what about the other part of my question, is it ok for them to come over in the school holidays to spend time with her, whilst we may be at work or would that be considered them working even though it is their grandaughter i can't find any solidrules about that?

Edited May 17, 2013 by Ridcully41

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

If it is work that you would normally pay a nanny/ dacare for then no, that is not allowed. If they are coming to visit their granddaughter, and maybe take her on a trip to Disney or whatever, that is allowed.