B/1 Visa Stay - Duration Change

[nirlap]

Hi All,

My mother received 10 year multiple entry visitor visas in the 4th attempt. In the application of the visas, we had mentioned that she wants to visit US for 4 weeks. I understand its the mmigration officer who decides the duration of stay in the US.

Because of change of plans, can my mom request/ask the immigration officer for 6 months stay in the US? Is there any risk associated to this?

Please let us know asap

[ramabalaji]

First of all the visa issued to your mother is B2 and not B1 as mentioned by you. The stay in USA is determined at the port of entry POE by the immigration officer and will be mentioned in I94 form. Normally 6 months stay is mentioned.
This is not a legal a legal advise.

[PraetorianXI]

6 month stay is NEVER mentioned... 6 month stay is the NORMAL (default) amount of time given on a B-2, when the officer does not see any reason to "fear" the alien will overstay his visit.

However, if they have a note in their system saying that your mom has applied for a visa 4 times!! and that she means to stay only 1 month!

Then, it does not take much to figure out that the officer may think: "hmmm, 4 times applied, hmmm she said 1 month and now she wants 6... let's giver her 10 days!"

The truth is you never know what may or may not happen at the POE. and the truth is that a "change of plans" (of which you know in advance? meaning it is not spontaneous) does not merit a 6 month stay... that is NOT "visiting".

There is a HIGH risk in ASKING the officer at the POE, for 6 months... if she merely states her plans and does not ASK for that much time... then she may be granted... otherwise she might as well be sent back home.