Is 10 years tourist visa really eligible for 10 years?

[ALTN 1]

I know people who applied for a tourist visa and got granted one for 10 years! If the passport expires in 5 years how can the visa be valid for that long? and what prevents people from moving to the US and staying there legally with just a tourist visa. In my case for instance I'm running an online business and don't need a work permit to keep running it from anywhere in the world, so what prevents me from moving and staying in the US as a tourist?

[Cheezees 1,514]

Your morals?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The law? Not being able to get a driver's licence?

[ALTN 1]

What do morals have to do with it? If the law makers don't mind it, and I like the country what on earth is wrong with that?

[Cheezees 1,514]

What do morals have to do with it? Everything. You should follow the law. If the law makers don't mind it They do, why do you think differently?, and I like the country what on earth is wrong with that? Well here at VJ we do not condone visa fraud as per the Terms of Service.

[inkasminka 39]

If your passport expires you would just carry it with the new one, since the visa will still be valid. Even though some people get visas valid for 10 years, that doesn’t mean that you can actually spend 10 years in the US at once. Every time you try to enter the country you will get a stamp where it says for how long you’re allowed to stay and this is usually not longer than 6 months.

[ALTN 1]

The law? Can you elaborate please? if the law granted me 10 years of stay, how am I I breaking the law?

[Mollie09 1,543]

Uh, no. The law grants you a visa which allows you to seek admittance.

When you are admitted, the law (officer) tells you for how long. Generally 6 months or less at the time. Then you must leave. Too many of those stays and you won't be let in again.

The law also tells you you're not allowed to work or study on a tourist visa.

Troll.

Edited July 13, 2016 by F1H1I130

[Cheezees 1,514]

The law? Can you elaborate please? if the law granted me 10 years of stay, how am I I breaking the law?

See the post above yours. A 10-year visa is NOT a 10-year permanent residency card. I believe you are being purposefully obtuse.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I know people who applied for a tourist visa and got granted one for 10 years! If the passport expires in 5 years how can the visa be valid for that long? and what prevents people from moving to the US and staying there legally with just a tourist visa. In my case for instance I'm running an online business and don't need a work permit to keep running it from anywhere in the world, so what prevents me from moving and staying in the US as a tourist?

Nothing if you want to live here illegally. 45% of the illegals in the US came in on nonimmigrant visas.

Your visitor visa would automatically become invalid if you overstay. Good luck with international travels.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

The law? Can you elaborate please? if the law granted me 10 years of stay, how am I I breaking the law?

10 years tourist visa -> does not mean you CAN stay in USA for 10 years.

It means you are allowed to multiple entry to US within these 10 years.

Each US entry will be decided by the CBP officer.

If you are deemed to use the tourist visa as de facto living in US, you can be denied entry and deported.

[aaron2020 11,651]

The law? Can you elaborate please? if the law granted me 10 years of stay, how am I I breaking the law?

The law does not grant you 10 years of stay. The next time you enter the US, please let CBP know that you intend to stay for 10 years on your visitor visa.

A 10 years visa allows you to knock at the front door of the US for 10 years. Each visit is limited to the time CBP lets you win with the I-94. Max visit time is 6 months.

[ALTN 1]

Thanks inkasminka, your answer was the most relevant. Just to be clear I do not intend to do anything illegal, I just wanted to know if the 10 years really meant 10 years. Ok so you're saying I normally won't be able to stay for longer than 6 months at a time depending on what they stamp on my passport when I enter the US... Now what if I leave before the 6 months and return back in a month or so, would I be eligible for entry under the same visa?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The law? Can you elaborate please? if the law granted me 10 years of stay, how am I I breaking the law?

As explained, a 10 year visiting visa does not mean visit for 10 years

[aaron2020 11,651]

What do morals have to do with it? If the law makers don't mind it, and I like the country what on earth is wrong with that?

The law does mind. Visitor visa holders are limited to a max of 6 months for each visit.