B1/B2 Validation Dates & COVID-19

[PadieNerkBrapone 341]

My mother-n-law has received a b1/b2 visa that's valid 2/28/20 to 5/26/20. She was supposed to come last weekend but the airlines rescheduled, cancelled, rescheduled, and cancelled her tickets again. I'm thinking there is no way she will get here by 5/26 because of the travel limitations/chaos caused by the Pandemic. Should that happen, how can I get the b1/b2 validation date extended? Or, say she get here before the expiration date, her daughter (my wife) is about to have a baby, what can she do to persuade the CBP Officer to give her at least 3 months duration-of-stay so she can help my wife while I'm at work?

[arken 4,197]

4 minutes ago, PadieNerkBrapone said:

My mother-n-law has received a b1/b2 visa that's valid 2/28/20 to 5/26/20.
 

Did she get the B1 or B2. It is very weird she got visa just for 3 months if B2.

 

4 minutes ago, PadieNerkBrapone said:

 

She was supposed to come last weekend but the airlines rescheduled, cancelled, rescheduled, and cancelled her tickets again. I'm thinking there is no way she will get here by 5/26 because of the travel limitations/chaos caused by the Pandemic. Should that happen, how can I get the b1/b2 validation date extended?
 

Very unlikely to get extended, likely need to apply for the visa again.

 

4 minutes ago, PadieNerkBrapone said:

 

Or, say she get here before the expiration date, her daughter (my wife) is about to have a baby, what can she do to persuade the CBP Officer to give her at least 3 months duration-of-stay so she can help my wife while I'm at work?

You MIL says that to a CBP, forget about giving monthslong stay, she might well be returned back to her home country on the next flight without letting her pass the immigration.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Highly unusual to be issued such a short visa, clearly they were suspicious about something (but not quite enough for outright denial). What reason did she give for the visit? Are there any annotations on the visa?

Agree she will have to apply again. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

47 minutes ago, PadieNerkBrapone said:

what can she do to persuade the CBP Officer to give her at least 3 months duration-of-stay so she can help my wife while I'm at work

You’re confusing the expiry date on the visa with the authorized stay she will get when she arrives.

[Boiler 45,498]

SHe would need to apply for a new one once the other expires.

[jan22 3,055]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

Highly unusual to be issued such a short visa, clearly they were suspicious about something (but not quite enough for outright denial). What reason did she give for the visit? Are there any annotations on the visa?

Agree she will have to apply again. 

A three month, two entry visa is the maximum validity period for B visas issued to Cambodian citizens based on the Reciprocity Table.  The validity period and number if entries varies from country to country based on what validity period that country issues to US citizens.

 

There is no way it can be extended or re-issued if it is not used.  She can apply again when the non-immigrant visa unit starts processing visa applications if she has not been able to travel.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, jan22 said:

A three month, two entry visa is the maximum validity period for B visas issued to Cambodian citizens based on the Reciprocity Table.  The validity period and number if entries varies from country to country based on what validity period that country issues to US citizens.

 

 

Ah thanks for that, I know some countries have shorter maximum periods but I didn’t realize there were countries where the maximum issuance was so short.

 

The good news is it looks like she can get a new visa without another interview. https://www.ustraveldocs.com/kh/kh-niv-visarenew.asp

Edited April 28, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[PadieNerkBrapone 341]

20 hours ago, jan22 said:

A three month, two entry visa is the maximum validity period for B visas issued to Cambodian citizens based on the Reciprocity Table.  The validity period and number if entries varies from country to country based on what validity period that country issues to US citizens.

 

There is no way it can be extended or re-issued if it is not used.  She can apply again when the non-immigrant visa unit starts processing visa applications if she has not been able to travel.

Thanks. Exactly correct. Which is why I asked about changing the validation date(probably wrong terminology) or what you called validity period. I already knew that the CBP Officer determines duration-of-stay, or that's what I researched. Unfortunate that there's no recourse for people who are unable to come because of the Pandemic. I figured they could extend the validation period to keep the visa alive until travel is "safe" again.

[PadieNerkBrapone 341]

19 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

Ah thanks for that, I know some countries have shorter maximum periods but I didn’t realize there were countries where the maximum issuance was so short.

 

The good news is it looks like she can get a new visa without another interview. https://www.ustraveldocs.com/kh/kh-niv-visarenew.asp

For another $160?!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

42 minutes ago, PadieNerkBrapone said:

For another $160?!

Unfortunately yes. My husband (non USC) also has to pay again for a new visa for Japan after a trip got cancelled due to covid flight suspensions. That's the way these things work.

[geowrian 22,337]

28 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Unfortunately yes. My husband (non USC) also has to pay again for a new visa for Japan after a trip got cancelled due to covid flight suspensions. That's the way these things work.

We're hoping my wife's Japan visa doesn't expire before we get to reschedule.

Edited April 29, 2020 by geowrian

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

12 minutes ago, geowrian said:

We're hoping my wife's Japan visa doesn't expire before we get to reschedule.

I’m not sure if they are same validity for everyone - my husband’s was 90 days.

[millefleur 5,046]

1 hour ago, PadieNerkBrapone said:

For another $160?!

The fee is what it is. It's unfortunate that the visa is expiring so so soon, but on the other hand, she's lucky to have a B visa. We see a lot of mother-in-laws here on VJ who apply and get flat out denied. If it were me, I'd gladly pay the $160 again with the peace of mind knowing she can get a visa, renewed even without the stress of the interview. Sure, it's lame to have to pay again, but a huge plus to know she can get the visa and visit. Glass half full! 

[PadieNerkBrapone 341]

48 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Unfortunately yes. My husband (non USC) also has to pay again for a new visa for Japan after a trip got cancelled due to covid flight suspensions. That's the way these things work.

🤮on the having to pay again. Thanks for the nfo.

[PadieNerkBrapone 341]

6 minutes ago, millefleur said:

The fee is what it is. It's unfortunate that the visa is expiring so so soon, but on the other hand, she's lucky to have a B visa. We see a lot of mother-in-laws here on VJ who apply and get flat out denied. If it were me, I'd gladly pay the $160 again with the peace of mind knowing she can get a visa, renewed even without the stress of the interview. Sure, it's lame to have to pay again, but a huge plus to know she can get the visa and visit. Glass half full! 

Yeah, bittersweet. Then again, I fear the person, after I pay again, who posts, "I got the validation period changed to expire at a later date. Sucks for you having to pay again."

Thanks for the "positive" spin. I'll take it.