I 94 duration of stay

[pal2141]

Hello, I am a doctor from India and i will be going for my USMLE step 2 cs exam in USA in may. I have got a 3 month multiple entry B1/B2 visa valid till July end. My question is can i ask the immigration officer at port of entry a duration of stay till august end with reason that i have few observerships at hospitals.
I haven't found anywhere if that is possible ie they will allow me a duration beyond the date of visa expiry if i can show them a valid reason.any input from the members would be very helpful. Thankyou.

[peace999]

I-94 date has nothing to do with visa expiry date.

For example ; you can enter on the last date of your visa and can still be given 6 months of stay.

Did the embassy put a note on your visa? ( annotation) Because that can change a lot of things.

[pal2141]

Hi, there is no annotation on my visa.

But if they allow me to stay beyond the visa expiry will that not be problem on my return to India at connecting airport say London because my visa would have expired by then,

[peace999]

I think london will consider your indian citizenship on your return and not your US visa.
And that is not the US authority's concern , how you return. You could take a direct flight to India.

Also, avoid mentioning observership at entry, some officers are not familiar with this and
consider it to be work or " not allowed under B1". You may be denied entry totally.
Just mention the test and say you will do some sightseeing afterwards . visiting friends till august.

[pal2141]

Thank you. i understand what point your making, just some days back i was talking to non medical friend in USA about my observership he said its illegal! Its lack of clear legal status guidelines for observership on B1/B2 that leads to confusion , although hospitals publish on official sites observership on b1/b2 its still not considered enough i guess.

Will it be safe to say about step 3 usmle ( which i do plan on taking ) and that i can apply for it only after i am ECFMG certified which will itself take 2 months?

also i have different port of entry and exit as i would be doing an observership there. will that be questioned?

[peace999]

They would not care or know anything about MLE step 3 and eligibility.

I think keep it simple when they ask you duration and purpose; " taking a test , visiting some friends and doing some sightseeing.
I will be leaving in august."

Keep a confirmed return ticket for august.

THere is no immigration check at US departure. So it does not matter.
Even if there was, a different Port of exit still would not matter.