Questions about extending a B1 visa

[benjie]

Hi all,

I hold a B1 visa which was granted for 6 months from late October to late April. I entered the US once early November then left to France for Christmas and came back for New Year. At this point the immigration officer approved a stay for another 6 full months until late June.

I have two questions:
- if I leave the US for France and come back before my visa has expired, will I be granted another 6 months stay?
- if I apply for a 5 months extension to the B1, will the extension run from the date on the visa (late April) or the date on the I-94 (late June)? In other words, will I be able to stay until late September or late December?

Thanks in advance
Ben

[raghvi]

Hi all,

I hold a B1 visa which was granted for 6 months from late October to late April. I entered the US once early November then left to France for Christmas and came back for New Year. At this point the immigration officer approved a stay for another 6 full months until late June.

I have two questions:
- if I leave the US for France and come back before my visa has expired, will I be granted another 6 months stay?
- if I apply for a 5 months extension to the B1, will the extension run from the date on the visa (late April) or the date on the I-94 (late June)? In other words, will I be able to stay until late September or late December?

Thanks in advance
Ben

B1/B2 are temporary purpose visas, spending or trying to spend nearly 1 year continuously on it would attract doubts. What exactly was the purpose of the B1? What is the nature of your visit which requires you to spend so much time in US? You will certainly be questioned on these.

1. If you leave and re enter before late April 2013 you will most likely be questioned as to why you are visiting so frequently and this time the I-94 could be given only for a few weeks/months till April 2013 only. Worst case you might be sent back though I doubt that will happen as you haven't technically overstayed any visit.
2. Extension only requests for extension of stay not visa extension so its always beyond I-94. I really doubt the USCIS will approve your extension request. If denied you risk your future visa stamping chances. I would suggest not to risk it, but to file for fresh B1 while in France.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[benjie]

Hi raghvi,

Thanks for the quick response. I'm mostly exploring my options here, and by the sound of what you're saying it seems I'd better not push the limits.

Cheers!
Ben

[peace999]

I have have experienced the same situation last year.I hold a B1 visa which was granted for 6 months from late October to late April. I go Germany for 3 moths and then entered USA but the immigration office told me that you have to report immigration officer for further stay.
I was shocked and want to know the reason of this inquiry.
Any one having such experienced will be warm welcomed here.

There is a difference in VISA and STAY. VISA is the sticker put by US embassy on your passport and STAY is the white card ( I-94) the
officer at US airport gives you.

The 6 months ( Oct - April) you mentioned ; is it the stay ?
If yes, then answer these;

1. What is the validity of the VISA and is it single or multiple entry? ( S or M?)

2. Did they let you enter US after 3 months in Germany?
What did they write on your white card ( I-94), passport and did they give you any separate paper?