I am trying to find out info on extending the duration of stay if someone entered on a visa waiver program but needs medical attention.
all info that I have found so far indicates that it may not be possible.
anyone with addl info or resources please let me know.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
Pir Saab, koi phook shook maro, kum ho jaye ga :D
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
yaar just call up the immigration office and ask them... i think most people on this website are citizens of their nations they represent :)
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
thank you … ‘humour’ is just what I need right now
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
at 7;42 pm when i posted this, no immigration office was open. additionally, there are people who may have been through similar situation and could give me their .
guys.. This inquiry is for my fathers treatment who was diagnosed with cancer today, so while I usually appreciate ‘humour’ and general non valu add comments, I humbly request that if you cant add anything substansive, please dont post. i would rather see the thread not get any responses than see that there are 2 responses and click the thread to find out nothing.
Thank You
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
Really sorry to hear about that.
Does visa waiver program work differently? Because, for example, if a Pakistani passport holder enters US on a valid visa, they will stamp the passport at the airport with I-94 and specify how long the person can stay. Lets say they put in one month on I-94. If the person wants to stay longer than they used to submit an application to INS for extention. The only condition was that the application had to be submitted before the expiry of the original visa. Normally it took a while for INS to adjucate the case, and in most instances their approval or rejection became a moot point, assuming the person is planning to over stay only for a few days/weeks. I know a few of my friends had applied for similar extension for their parents and gotten a response from INS months later, when the parents had actually flown back much earlier.
Now, in your case, lets say a person with British passport enters the US. If they are visiting here, they don't need a visa to land in the US, however, I am assuming at the airport, the immigration officer will stamp the maximum duration of their stay. Can't they just apply for an extension before expiry of their original visa? Alternatively, can't they just make a short trip to outside US (Canada) and re-enter to get a fresh visa stamped on their passport?
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
faisal
yep thast exactly where we are right now in terms of options. what I am finding out so far is that visa waiver program term can not be extended, It makes sens ein general but what happens if the personal needs care.. i mean if i was on VWP and got in a car wreck the day that i was leaving then what, they deport me?
I am trying to find out info on exceptions, need to make calls tomorrow
and thank you for your help. if you fnd out anything else let me know too. if he can not stay here then we will just have the surgery in UK.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
..anf guys, I realize you did not know why I was posting this inquiry, and I apologize for getting upset at your responses
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
Won't the surgery be free in the UK versus paying for it in the USA?
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
I’m so sorry Fraudia, I apologize. Had no clue, my deep apologies. I don’t know anything abt ur inquiry but I hope that it gets resolved soon and that may Allah :swt: give your father quick recovery, health and long life, ameen, sum ameen.
btw, what kind of cancer? If you don’t mind sharing. Otherwise, it’s okay. I’ll remember him in my prayers.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
yeah maddy, it will be free if you go thru NHS, but the wait time may be higher.
The option being discussed is to do it in UK but privately, so there would be out of pocket expense but even that is a 3rd of US, plus all follow up thru NHS would be free.
Last option is to do it at Aga Khan, because teh quality of care there is very good.
I think it is going to be UK, abbu seems to have made up his mind, plus we will be working with some of the top cancer docs in UK.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
[quote=Fraudz]
Last option is to do it at Aga Khan, because teh quality of care there is very good.
[quote]
I pray for your father's health and from the stories I have heard here, I would consider as the best choice possible. I used to take one of my friends mother to Shaukat Khanum in Lahoire and the quality and care are excellent there. From what I have heard, Agha khan is excellent too. HaaN this may be inconvinient if you do not have family back home and cant spare so much time to be with your dad,your self. Best of luck.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
Kamal,
From my own personal experience in Karachi and from the care that ammi received at Aga Khan, I would opt for private care supplemented with NHS follow up in UK.
Dad's consults and care with NHS were deplorable when they were dealing with the cancer that took his life. Unfortunately, the disease was not diagnosed until stage 4 so no amount of private care would have helped.
But you have options.....take the private care in UK and then once he's cancer free follow up with NHS.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
ashtray thanks for your insights
Muzna- we had good experience at AKU wit my mum's surgery a few years back, the biggest leverage we have there is that my sis knows directly or indirectly the mgmt of the hospital so we get extra special treatment, some of the ppl are her former classmates, or my bro in laws class mates, or other friends.
But I think right now we are pursuing prvate surgery in UK with one of the top surgeons, and then the aftercare thru NHS.
I now have to sort out things like making sure that the downstairs bath is fixed before the surgery so he can be downstairs and be able to be in diff rooms rather than be upstairs and be trapped since he will not be able to use teh stairs much. if he is downstairs then the dinign room, living room, kitchen etc are all there, e will move the dining room to the family room and make that his bedroom, all rroms have doors (advantage of a closed floor plan, which otherwise aint so good) so he will have privacy when he needs it. Can go out, uncle lives next door so if he wants to go hang there or even to the garden he can.
Now a different dliemma. need contractor who can fix a bath and toilet to be up and running fully within a month, realizing that we will probably be tearing it down later for the addition and the rooftop patio etc.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
I didn't bother reading other people's post but as as far as Europe is concerned I can give u advice, I am sure USA would have something similar.
The best option would be if u make hospital officials ring the IND/INS. If they dont agree then get a letter of confirmation of treatment (duly signed) and take it to immigration office/airport and inform them, they will tell you the rest of the procedure that is not usually very difficult. They will stamp the passport until the date written on the letter issued by the hospital.
Simple as that.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
Fraud...Ibrahim has contractors at his beck and call.....
I'll call you tonight.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
Najim
for usual visitir visas yes, but not for ppl on visa waiver program i.e. visa given at port of entry. Spoke with immigration, emergency is a diff thing but not for elective procedures
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
I am sorry to hear that............I am trying to searchout as I already know about VWS...........I found its written in site
"A person entering the US under the VWP cannot request an extension of the original allowed period of stay in the US (this practice is allowed to those holding regular visas).
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
I think only emergency would be the exception in WVS. I dont know what would be the implications.
Re: extension of stay on visa waiver program for medical reasons?
sorry to hear about that may Allah give your father quick recovery (Ameen)