visitor Visa Extension-Valid Reason

[USlover4eva]

Hello All,

Hopefully I can get some help. My husband and my three children who are UK citizens and myself (Legal resident of UK) are travelling to USA in a month during the kids' school holidays. We initially planned a visit to the States for a month. But, my husband has decided that he would like our son and daughter to attend a private school in the states in the future. I am wondering if we could apply for an extension to be able to visit several schools and programs as prospects for our children as when we are there the schools will not be open as it is the summer holidays. Maybe book a couple shadow says for our son to see what he wants and visit several high schools and vocational schools, etc.

What are our chances that we could extend our stay for this purpose and apply for an extension successfully?

We usually only get 2 months permit to stay in the USA as visitors.

Any help is appreciated

[peace999]

you as a UK resident , travel to US on a visitor visa or does your passport give you an ESTA privilege?
ANd does your husband and do the kids travel on a visa waiver (ESTA) or do they have a visitor visa ?

Can you also give me a history of your travel to US ; purpose of visit, duration granted, dates visited (mm/yy) , actual time spent

[USlover4eva]

Re: visa extension

Hello,

I am travelling with a tourist visa, no ESTA privilege for me. However, my husband and three kids do travel with ESTA privileges as they are UK citizens.

I personally, travelled to the states in the past when I was a child several times . Every time I have travelled to the states in the past I would get 6 months granted and would usually stay 3-4 months. Last time I went was in 2008 and stayed for 6 months. Have never asked for extensions before. This time we would like to stay for 6 months as well since I haven't been there in 6 years and my husband wants to scout schools for our son and hopefully spend Christmas and then come back. The reason I thought about extension is because although under a tourist visa I usually get 6 months permit to stay in USA, with ESTA my husband only gets 3 months.

Thank you for your help.

[peace999]

ok. Visa waiver (ESTA) visitors are not allowed to extend their stays. If they want to stay longer than 90 days, they have to apply for a visa like you have.
They will have to prove to the visa officer why they need to spend more than 90 days.
Also note that if their visa appl. is denied, they will not be able to use their ESTA.

[USlover4eva]

ok. Visa waiver (ESTA) visitors are not allowed to extend their stays. If they want to stay longer than 90 days, they have to apply for a visa like you have.
They will have to prove to the visa officer why they need to spend more than 90 days.
Also note that if their visa appl. is denied, they will not be able to use their ESTA.

Thank You.. Very helpful