Visitor visa - second time extension

[krs]

My dad has a 10 years visa. During his second visit in May 2005 we applied for an extension for 6 months and got it approved. He extended his stay for 6 more months and returned back to India in May 2006. Now he has come back again in April 2008 and is here in the US. Can I apply for an extension for the second time? What reason would be appropriate for the extension? Please advice.

[txh1b]

You should know the reason better as you plan on extending the stay. Abuse of visitor visa might result in cancellation of the visa.

[PraetorianXI]

I agree with the post above. You should not frivolously apply for extensions if you do not have a real reason. You are putting your dad's visa at risk.

[vinv101]

I don't think it is a good idea to apply for extension everytime.

for the visa extension, did u also file the I-134 (affidavit of support) or only the bank statement, account verification letter??

Also, was there any problem for ur dad at the POE when he came 2nd time??
Thanks in advance

[knowledgeable]

Recommend ...

... to have the US law changed to allow for several extensions in one shot so the visitors don't have to go through the trouble during each visit.

Additionally, if this can be allowed to be applied successively, then the visitor gets a chance to stay in the country for a few years continuously.

Take care & good luck.

[ramabalaji]

I do agree with the last poster. Why could not parents stay with their children for more time? The situation in USA is changed. When parents come to USA, they bring dollars to spend or their children to spend money on them for tourism as well as their daily needs.

[C4us]

If you need to have your parents so close, you should return to live in their home country. A sibling is a sister or brother - not parent.

Visitor visas are for VISITING. A typical visit in the US is in WEEKS not MONTHS and certainly not YEARS. Americans - even older ones - have too much to do at their own homes to be staying elsewhere for months at a time.

[ramabalaji]

C4us.
Who are to tell us where to live? You have not owned USA. I think you must have got citizenship or do not have parents or do not want parents to live with you or an ABCD. I know what is about visitor visa and the responsibility of a visitor to USA. I have talked about the lattest situation in USA. You people need our money. Your ecconomy is slowing down. That could be one of the reason, now a days vistors are allowd for a stay of 1 year. Please read my thread on this.
No offence meant but a reply to your posting.

[PraetorianXI]

C4us.
Who are to tell us where to live? You have not owned USA. I think you must have got citizenship or do not have parents or do not want parents to live with you or an ABCD. I know what is about visitor visa and the responsibility of a visitor to USA. I have talked about the lattest situation in USA. You people need our money. Your ecconomy is slowing down. That could be one of the reason, now a days vistors are allowd for a stay of 1 year. Please read my thread on this.
No offence meant but a reply to your posting.

Regardless of culture people. Laws are laws and immigrations laws in this case provide for SHORT TEMPORARY VISITS with B1/B2 visas. The abuse of such visas, by people applying for extensions for no reason, overstaying and coming back several times for long visits has made it harder on everyone else to get visas for their families.

Should there be a visa that would allow someone to "visit" for 1 or 2 years at a time? maybe... but currently there is NO SUCH THING and you can not turn the B1/B2 visa into that either.

We all have gone through the process and though American Culture is indeed different (as they could only take a few days of vacation a year, it makes no sense someone "visiting" for 6 months!!) but if we are guests of this country or even as citizens bringing family members to visit (which would make them guests) we ought to obey the laws of the land and understand the culture.

Nobody likes a guest who starts claiming rights he/she does not have... or extending his stay for frivolous reasons. Even for the sake of economy! you could easily "spend your money" in 3-4 months.

It does not help the economy to have people overstay their visas, work "under the table", go to a hospital for an emergency and not pay the bill, send their overstay kids to public schools, etc. etc. etc.

All I am trying to get across here is that, if you want laws changed, then seek that... but do not try to change the terms of a visa you applied for, it is a contract and it is based on trust. When people violate that trust then we will all suffer.

[txh1b]

In a global economy, everybody needs everyones money. That isn't an issue here. As per the current law, visitors are not supposed to be here for more than a year and not return without spending a significant amount of time in the home country. Let us not lose focus on what the current law is and following it rather than think about petitioning for changing visitor laws. It is their country and they choose what to do with visitors and how long they allow them.

If they don't like it, no one is forcing them to visit or improve the economy. AFAIK, visitors do not spend much money from abroad but their sponsors spend their already earned money on the US economy buying clearance items

[PraetorianXI]

In a global economy, everybody needs everyones money. That isn't an issue here. As per the current law, visitors are not supposed to be here for more than a year and not return without spending a significant amount of time in the home country. Let us not lose focus on what the current law is and following it rather than think about petitioning for changing visitor laws. It is their country and they choose what to do with visitors and how long they allow them.

If they don't like it, no one is forcing them to visit or improve the economy. AFAIK, visitors do not spend much money from abroad but their sponsors spend their already earned money on the US economy buying clearance items

Walmart is every visitor's paradise!

[ramabalaji]

You have forgotten Sam's club! I differ with txh1b on the spending. AFAIK people who visit USA also spend from their pocket. OK what is wrong if children spend money on their parents? Why not avail the discount if it is thrown at you. You are not a saint. I have seen Americans roam around 1 dollar shp for shoping. It is after all the parents who gave them the education so that thier children can go to USA to earn and live happily.
I agree that visitors visa should be used for visiting and should not be misused. This US Govt also knows. If not, why have they a rule where extension can be given.
What I request the forum members to be polite in answering and do not say go back, do not come etc. It hurts the people in general and in particular one posted. Hope I have made my feelings very clear.

[C4us]

ramabalaji,

Elderly visitors to the US are not a benefit when they do not purchase health insurance and end up in US hospitals leaving bills. Sometimes they stay with children in small apartments against housing codes. Then there are the tax fraud schemes involving visiting relatives that have been discussed on other forums. These visitors certainly do not benefit the economy. Elderly parents money does little to help the economy; they are far more likely to harm it.

I stand by my statement that if you need to have your parents with you and they are not in the position to be permanent residents, then you need to go to them. Unless and until you are a citizen, you must simply obey the laws such as they are; your desire to have them changed means nothing.

If you are not a citizen, you need to be a good guest! A good guest does not criticize the rules of his host. You need to be like the mother of the groom: keep your mouth closed (don't criticize), smile (act like you are enjoying yourself even if you are miserable), sit down and wear beige (don't do anything to bring attention to yourself).

Now, why don't you go and be a good guest in my country!

[knowledgeable]

Stop, please!

Please, please stop this argument. All these people who provide valuable volunteer service to this forum as good people.

Please just be amicable and stop the argument now!

Nobody "owns" this country or any country for that matter, at least most of them! It's a free country wish laws and regulations. Everybody needs to follow the laws. These laws are changed from time to time to accomodate the change in the society situations. Any law and regulation can be changed.

There are always pros and cons towards any change.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

With best regards.

[immihelp]

Lets not get into too much unnecessary arguments.

I understand both sides of arguments. However, please understand that visitors visa is just for visiting and not for just staying in the US as much as you can. Law is law. Any other arguments like your parents raised you, took care of you, your children need love of their grandparents etc. do not really give them right to stay in the US forever.

If you would like your parents to stay in the US permanently, become US citizen as soon as you can and sponsor their greencard. If you would like to unite with your parents sooner, you should move back to your home country where parents are located.

Obviously, I don't have personally any problem with people staying more in the US. But what other people (like txh1b, PraetorianXI, knowlegeable etc.) are trying to convey to such people is that if someone tries to spend too much time in the US, the person's intention of being visitor does not really match and your extension may be denied, you may be given only one month stay at port of entry or just be sent back home from the airport itself, 10 year visa may be cancelled and they may not get another visa. Any of that is possible.

And this forum is to discuss about visa and immigration related issues. Economy, coupens, deals etc. are irrelevant regarding B2 visa.