Limited Stay on a Tourist Visa?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Why do you think it is "useless"?

Because it's not enough time for an extension application

[newacct 688]

Because it's not enough time for an extension application

The application is timely filed as long as it is received before the I-94 runs out. Any amount of time is enough as long as it's enough for mail to get there.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The application is timely filed as long as it is received before the I-94 runs out. Any amount of time is enough as long as it's enough for mail to get there.

At least 45 days is recommended.

[newacct 688]

At least 45 days is recommended.

They "suggest" people file 45 days before so they don't miss the deadline and can get the receipt early. It doesn't support your statement that there is not enough time to file.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

They "suggest" people file 45 days before so they don't miss the deadline and can get the receipt early. It doesn't support your statement that there is not enough time to file.

It also is suggested not to file within the first 3 months of entry. I don't think that (especially for the fee) it's a plausible solution for the op especially as one needs to show financial proof that they can support their own extended stay.

[Boiler 45,949]

Presumably FIL wants to come back in the future otherwise I would agree file the extension request.

[caliliving 606]

WOW! the officer was not rude! that is her job, that is how they ask questions, and that is what they stamp in passports and how they write! You need to answer their questions truthfully and realize it is a PRIVLIDGE not a RIGHT to visit america

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

First off, a tourist visa does not give anyone the right to come and go into the US as they please. A tourist visa gives one a privilege to enter the USA, and that privilege is subject to interpretation by the US officers. That said, I can only assume your father's last trip was pretty lengthy, and his return most likely did not have enough time between visits, which lead to the officer that called you to believe he was trying to live in the USA and not visit.

You should be sending that officer a large gift basket with a heartfelt thank you note for allowing your FIL to stay even a month.

[HFM181818 750]

a visa is merely an object with which the foreign traveler uses to ask permission to be admitted into the US. Permission is granted solely by CBP without regard to third party opinions about who should be admitted and for how long. Trying to circumvent what CBP has decided has little upside and a lot of downside.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Seems like we tend to use " he/she was rude or bad customer service" only when we dont have our way.

You are lucky they gave you a call. The writing in the passport is not mean for your audience (have you seen doctor's handwriting?). I believe such "horrible handwriting" are meant to be read and understood by other officers (i stand corrected).

She could have turned your guest away and there's nothing you could have done about it other than to apply again.

Be nice to people at their jobs..Good luck!

[Darnell 8,479]

Helli everyone,

I ran into a little issue.

My father in law has a B1/B2 visa with multiple entries. It was his second time entering the US. I got a call in the middle of the night from an Immigration officer asking me for imformation. At that time he was being serviced at the US border in Chicago international airport. They called me because he does not speak english.

The call quality was real bad and I could barrely hear her (the officer).

She asked me how long is he going to stay, I said we are not sure because he is visiting but it might be as long as May. She also asked what he is going to do here, I said he will stay with us because our family is close and I live with my wife alone so we wanted him to be with us. She the. Asked where I worked and I told her, and asked how am I going to support them, I said that He was here before and I supported him no problem with the same budget. She was very rude the whole time. She said I cant let him stay that long, I will give him a month.

She the hung up without saying anything.

When he arrived, next to the entry stamp it was somthing written by hand, with a horrible hand writing, all I could make out was "stay limited" and the required return date. Didnt realize passport was a notebook.

Is there anyway to get his stay extended, I really feel that tha officer was very rude and was excercising her authority, she would not listen to me. I understand they are Border control, but we did not do anything wrong, and they really screwed up our plans. I need to do all I can to extend his stay, because a month isnt enough for what we have planned.

Any ideas?

Thank you,

Igor

Seems you were unable to clearly elucidate your plans whilst on the telephone. What does your wife have to say about all of this ?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Seems like we tend to use " he/she was rude or bad customer service" only when we dont have our way.

You are lucky they gave you a call. The writing in the passport is not mean for your audience (have you seen doctor's handwriting?). I believe such "horrible handwriting" are meant to be read and understood by other officers (i stand corrected).

She could have turned your guest away and there's nothing you could have done about it other than to apply again.

Be nice to people at their jobs..Good luck!

This. Immigration and border patrol is not by any circumstances customer service.

[IgorT 1]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you very much for your replies.

I understand that I might have came of as being mad at the border control, I truly respect what they do an appreciate everything I've done with them.

What I was trying to find out if the amount of time he is allowed to be here in anyway reflected our conversation over the phone. But from what I have read, it does not matter, they were just doing what they were supposed to.

Thanks again for your input, and I do realize that we got lucky this time.

Good luck to all!

[TBoneTX 45,957]

The OP indicates that he's satisfied with the answers, so this thread is now closed to further comment.