US Tourist visa for Russian citizen

[av8or1 246]

Hi y'all-

As you know, Russia and the US entered into a reciprocal tourist visa agreement a short while back. I have a 3-year Russian tourist visa and have used it a couple of times myself. The question that I have is in regard to a Russian citizen visiting the USA on the (reciprocal agreement) American tourist visa (is that a B-2 visa? not sure...). As I understand it they can visit the US for a maximum of 6 months in each year, and of course the same restriction applies to an American who is visiting Russia. First of all, is this understanding correct? Or is it a total of 6 months over the 3 year period of validity? Next, when does the "clock" reset for that restriction? Is it on the date of the visa issuance or is it each calendar year? I would think that it is the first but not certain so I thought I'd ask.

My Russian girlfriend (from Moscow) has a tourist visa; it was issued last November. She's visited on three separate occasions, totaling 2 months time in the USA. She'd like to visit again, but doesn't want to even come close to the 6 month restriction; ergo we both want to give that a wide berth and not push the envelope. At all. So....when does the clock reset, if applicable?

And in case any of you are wondering, she has a good life in Moscow, she has work and lives rather comfortably. She received her tourist visa prior to our meeting. We're discussing the K-1 fiance visa, but haven't applied yet. Hopefully I can mail that this next week.

Ok thanks!

Edited September 6, 2014 by adair

[jan22 3,064]

The reciprocal arrangement is on the length of time for which the visa will be issued, not the amount of time that can be spent in the U.S. The amount of time in the U.S. has nothing to do with the visa -- the visa is really nothing more than permission to go to the U.S. and apply to enter. Whether you can enter, and for how long on that entry, is a decision of the immigration official at the port of entry. The maximum time that is usually granted is 6 months -- but there is no guarantee that each time someone enters, they will be authorized that 6 months.

The general rule of thumb is that you need to be spending more time outside the U.S. than inside the U.S. each year. And, that year is a rolling one -- i.e., you can't spend July-December in the U.S. in one year and expect to be approved to then spend January-June, since that would be 12 months in a row. The key is to be sure that it does not look like you are using the visa to live in the U.S., with occasional short-term visits outside the U.S.

[av8or1 246]

Ah ok thank you. Very interesting. I had no idea that the amount of time she could spend in the USA during any one visit was determined by a single individual who just-so-happened to be working in the port of entry when she arrived. Seems quite subjective to me. I understand the general rule of thumb you mentioned, and that's a good point. For her the reality is that she has a life in Moscow and can't really spend all that much time here anyway. We were just trying to be careful with the 6 month thing, that's all. She wasn't planning on visiting until towards the end of the year, which will be into her second year of the 3 year visa and she would have spent only two months of the first year visiting the USA.

So, given your feedback, I think we're good.

Thanks again

[jan22 3,064]

You're welcome...and good luck! Sounds like you shouldn't have any problems.

Edited September 8, 2014 by jan22

[av8or1 246]

Thank you for the help, I appreciate it.

I had another question that came to mind ... when this immigration official at the port of entry gives the tourist visa recepient a certain amount of time to remain in the USA, how does that person know how much time they have? There used to be an I-94 form that the person had to hold onto, but I heard that it's all electronic now.

So how would you know? Thanks!

[Boiler 46,120]

I thought it was stamped? You can print off a copy.

[Mollie09 1,543]

It's written on the stamp in the passport, and you can also find it online. Just Google "Electronic I-94".