I know that usually Pakistani relatives etc who are visiting you on B2 visa (5 years multiple entries) are allowed to stay in US for 6 months. I’ve couple of questions regarding this:
1- How much easy/feasible it is to apply for extension while in US for another 6 or more months? Has someone done this for his/her visiting relatives?
2- Once the stay expires (be it extended or the original 6 months), how long before that relative can visit you again? Is it as simple as that relatives going to, say, to Canada (assuming that relative has Canadian visit visa as well) for a week and then coming back? Or there is a limit in number of months? If so, how long?
Re: People visiting from Pakistan on vistor (B2) visa
2) they'll have to explain why thy are doing that infront of an immig officer at the poe, who has the power to refuse entry to them. I wouldnt recommend doing this.
p.s. make sure to check their I-94 cards because sometimes they give u a 3 month entry on a visitor visa.
Extension is at the discretion of the USCIS. Details in that link.
You can apply and may get an extension . I have no personal experience.
About as simple as going to Canada and re-entering , I do not think it is allowed because you have to go back to your country of origination before you can come back. I could not find out how short that duration can be before you re-enter USA after that six month stay and going back to your country of origination.
I know that usually Pakistani relatives etc who are visiting you on B2 visa (5 years multiple entries) are allowed to stay in US for 6 months. I've couple of questions regarding this:
1- How much easy/feasible it is to apply for extension while in US for another 6 or more months? Has someone done this for his/her visiting relatives?
2- Once the stay expires (be it extended or the original 6 months), how long before that relative can visit you again? Is it as simple as that relatives going to, say, to Canada (assuming that relative has Canadian visit visa as well) for a week and then coming back? Or there is a limit in number of months? If so, how long?
Thanks in advance.
1- Did that for my parents last time they were here. Its pretty easy actually. There are a few things you want to keep in mind. Even though you can legally extend a visit (given that your visa is valid during the extention period seeked), I know of people who were given a hard time when they applied for a new visa once the old one expired because of that extension of stay. Also, if your parents are planning to stay beyond 4 months, you should advise them get a one way ticket because most tickets (even the open ended ones) cannot be extended beyond 4 months. Please have some savy travel agent confirm this as the rules may have changed or they may differ from airlines to airlines.
2- There is no such limit. If you have a multiple entry visit visa, you can come back the very next day after leaving. There is no guarantee that you will be granted a 6-month stay again though. Some folks I know came here but were only given 2-months stay. Go figure.
Re: People visiting from Pakistan on vistor (B2) visa
Thanks guys.
Another question with caveat: This is actually about my mother-in-law who stayed with us for 4+ months this year and will be coming back next year.
What happened that the immigration officer at JFK forgot to give her I-94. Of course she didn't even know what an I-94 is so she didn't even inquire about it and came out of the airport. I later applied for issuance of one using one of the INS form which did not clearly say the form was for the purpose of a "non issued I-94" one but rather lost or damaged one. So I applied anyway with a letter detailing the who reason and some dolt at USCIS returned it saying they didn't understand what I was applying for.
I spoke with someone and she said that the officers at POE are actually Customs officers and not INS.
My question is: Has this happen to someone before and if so did the relative have a tough time re-entering US? After all, it was not her fault that she was not given an I-94.
Another question with caveat: This is actually about my mother-in-law who stayed with us for 4+ months this year and will be coming back next year.
What happened that the immigration officer at JFK forgot to give her I-94. Of course she didn't even know what an I-94 is so she didn't even inquire about it and came out of the airport. I later applied for issuance of one using one of the INS form which did not clearly say the form was for the purpose of a "non issued I-94" one but rather lost or damaged one. So I applied anyway with a letter detailing the who reason and some dolt at USCIS returned it saying they didn't understand what I was applying for.
I spoke with someone and she said that the officers at POE are actually Customs officers and not INS.
My question is: Has this happen to someone before and if so did the relative have a tough time re-entering US? After all, it was not her fault that she was not given an I-94.
Thanks.
They are USCIS officers, as theres no INS anymore, its all under USCIS now. Well, I would give her the copy of that reply you got from that guy in USCIS, for your reuqest to get a I-94. Most likely this will show up on their systems when she comes back, because technically your mom entered the US last time, but failed to surrender her I-94 (which she never got in the system), so the system will say she never left (and living illegally past her allowed window of 6months). You should have proofs of transactions in Pakistan for that time period, immigration stamp from Pakistan in case they want to make sure she was in Pakistan throughout that time. I am almost sure, based on what you told me, she will be allowed without any problems, but she will have to explain to them what happened. If she will have problems conversing in English, I am pretty sure the USCIS has people who can carry out translations in Urdu/Hindi at most POEs at major airports.
Next time something like that happens, you can make an infopass appointment at your local USCIS office, and get things sorted you over there.