B2 Visa - Renew while here?

[billybob]

My parents are currently visiting us in the US on a 10-Yr multiple entry B2 visa. This visa expires in April. They currently intend to return to India in Feb and the I-94 is good till May 31, 2012.

We want them to get another 10-Yr multiple entry tourist visa for subsequent visits. In particular, there's a family event in August that they need to be here for. Current B2 expires Apr, 2012.

Question -

1) Can we apply for renewal while there are still here or they have to do so after getting back to India?

2) Given that their current I-94 is good till May 31, 2012, can they continue to stay past the actual visa expiration date (Apr 23, 2012) if they are able to ask for renewal of current B2 or apply for a new 10-Yr Multiple entry B2?

They have made numerous visits to the US on the current B2 and have always gone back well in time. Both are retired with a home in India.

Appreciate your help and suggestions.

[peace999]

My parents are currently visiting us in the US on a 10-Yr multiple entry B2 visa. This visa expires in April. They currently intend to return to India in Feb and the I-94 is good till May 31, 2012.

We want them to get another 10-Yr multiple entry tourist visa for subsequent visits. In particular, there's a family event in August that they need to be here for. Current B2 expires Apr, 2012.

Question -

1) Can we apply for renewal while there are still here or they have to do so after getting back to India?

2) Given that their current I-94 is good till May 31, 2012, can they continue to stay past the actual visa expiration date (Apr 23, 2012) if they are able to ask for renewal of current B2 or apply for a new 10-Yr Multiple entry B2?

They have made numerous visits to the US on the current B2 and have always gone back well in time. Both are retired with a home in India.

Appreciate your help and suggestions.

Visitor Visas are only granted outside of US, even if it is a new visa after the expiry of the first one. There will be no renewal but a new application and a new interview in India. In the current scenario , there are no guarantees that they will get another visa even if they have never overstayed their first visa. Visitor visa applications in India, due to a large no. of applicants, are a lot of times, unfairly and hastily decided.

They can stay in US till the date on their I-94 that is May 31 even if their visa expires in April.
( Visa is meant to be admitted to US, stay is decided by the date on I-94). They can also apply for a 6 month extension of their stay ( Note it is not visa renewal but an extension of their I-94 date) before May 31 if they want to attend the August function.
Tips about extension;
Apply now if you wish for an early response from USCIS. If the response is a denial and it comes after May 31st, they will be technically out of status and will have to leave asap.
If you apply now, there are very good chances, the respose will come before May 31.

[billybob]

Thank you very much Peace999 for your very cogent and valuable information.