How long can a Beneficiary stay in the US on a tourist visa

[AbbyD 10]

Hi everyone,

 

If a beneficiary has a tourist visa and is allowed into the US, and is given the typical 6-month stay option, is it illegal/bad look for immigration for the beneficiary to stay those 6 months? What about 2-3 months? Has anyone done this?

 

Thanks in advance

[VNN 147]

Just now, AbbyD said:

Hi everyone,

 

If a beneficiary has a tourist visa and is allowed into the US, and is given the typical 6-month stay option, is it illegal/bad look for immigration for the beneficiary to stay those 6 months? What about 2-3 months? Has anyone done this?

 

Thanks in advance

Most of people I know stay 2-4 months, some less but rarely go to 6 months.

[Roel 7,192]

You can stay as long as its allowed by the immigration officer at the border. 

[payxibka 10,045]

4 minutes ago, AbbyD said:

Hi everyone,

 

If a beneficiary has a tourist visa and is allowed into the US, and is given the typical 6-month stay option, is it illegal/bad look for immigration for the beneficiary to stay those 6 months? What about 2-3 months? Has anyone done this?

 

Thanks in advance

A visitor must depart on or before the expiration date indicated on the I-94 

[AbbyD 10]

Thank you. I understand he must return before the date stamped on his passport by the border agent. Just wondering if staying the maximum time allowed is an eye raiser for immigration officers at the interview

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

He/she is allowed to stay as long as the CBPO gives at entry to the border.  However, be aware that if a border officer thinks that the person is visiting too often or too long, then the officer can deny entry.....it has happened.......

[geowrian 22,337]

As long as you don't overstay (or work or other violations) then you haven't violated the visa terms. It's not an issue for the interview.

If you stay near the full 6 months (if granted 6 months), I would not expect expect to be granted entry as a visitor again for at least a full year abroad.

Edited April 11, 2019 by geowrian

[Unlockable 7,314]

1 minute ago, AbbyD said:

Thank you. I understand he must return before the date stamped on his passport by the border agent. Just wondering if staying the maximum time allowed is an eye raiser for immigration officers at the interview

At the visa interview? It wouldn't be an issue.

 

But staying the maximum times on multiple trips will raise an eye brow for the US border agents.

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 minute ago, AbbyD said:

Thank you. I understand he must return before the date stamped on his passport by the border agent. Just wondering if staying the maximum time allowed is an eye raiser for immigration officers at the interview

Possibly, but not necessarily likely.  People have been denied entry for having a spouse in the USA and trying to "live" here via a tourist visa.  Just remember that it will be his responsibility to convince the border officer that he will return to his country.

[AbbyD 10]

Great thank you. He has never stayed more than 2 weeks in the 5+ years he's had a visa and this would probably be around 3 months, just thinking ahead in case I get a job and move back to the US before the interview to make the re-establishment of domicile easier. Thanks for all your answers!

[Rob & Lot 4]

13 minutes ago, AbbyD said:

Hi everyone,

 

If a beneficiary has a tourist visa and is allowed into the US, and is given the typical 6-month stay option, is it illegal/bad look for immigration for the beneficiary to stay those 6 months? What about 2-3 months? Has anyone done this?

 

Thanks in advance

If you are in the process of a K1 Visa, there is NO travelling to the US allowed. Even if you have another legal visa to come here, D'ONT! It can void your petition immediately and of course, no refunds for any money.

[AbbyD 10]

It's an IR-1 Visa

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, Rob & Lot said:

If you are in the process of a K1 Visa, there is NO travelling to the US allowed. Even if you have another legal visa to come here, D'ONT! It can void your petition immediately and of course, no refunds for any money.

This is completely incorrect. Where did you hear that?? There's stickied threads here about people doing it regularly.

[Boiler 45,486]

14 minutes ago, Rob & Lot said:

If you are in the process of a K1 Visa, there is NO travelling to the US allowed. Even if you have another legal visa to come here, D'ONT! It can void your petition immediately and of course, no refunds for any money.

Worked OK for me.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

1. What did he/she say to the CO or state on the ds160? 

 

2. When is the return ticket originally for?