Can I be admitted for more than six months on a B-2 visa?
I try to gather information about the initial length of stay with a B-2 Visa. I'm getting conflicting information.
People admitted to the United States on a B2 Tourist Visa are usually issued a 6-month stay. The maximum length of stay for visitor visa holders is 6 months. immigration.terra.com
Also this one:
The maximum duration of stay on a B1/B2 visa is 6 months. immihelp.com
And on the other hand there is:
You may be granted a duration of stay up to a period of one year hooyou.co
Which references the following law:
Any B-1 visitor for business or B-2 visitor for pleasure may be admitted for not more than one year and may be granted extensions of temporary stay in increments of not more than six months each, (8 CFR § 214.2(b)(1) law.cornell.edu
While it seems obvious, the law quoted says you may be allowed to stay up to one year. But where comes the 6 months from? I guess it must be at least common practice to get 6 month, because this information is all over the internet.
So my next guess would be that the immigration officer is allowed to admit you more then 6 month of initial stay.
My situation is that I plan to hike the Appalachian Trail. An activity that is going to take about 6 month. I don't want to face my self in the situation where I almost hiked all of the Appalachian Trail, but had to stop, because my stay permit expired. I know there is the option to apply for extension. And I researched that the best thing to do, would be to visit Washington from Harpers Ferry. But I really would like to avoid the hassle!
So my question is, what do I need to do, say or ask for, to get admitted for a stay longer than six month? Also I will travel together with my girlfriend. What are the chances, that we get admitted to different lengths?
Best Answer
The absolute theoretical maximum for the initial admission period for B-1 and B-2 is 1 year, according to the regulations.
However, a regular visitor on B-2 will get 6 months, or in some uncommon cases, less than 6 months if the officer thinks the person has been to the US too often; but I have never heard of it being more than 6 months, probably because this would be considered inconsistent with the purpose of a personal visit. I don't know if there is anywhere where this is officially written.
There are some special cases for B-2, for example, B-2 for cohabitating partners or other household members, where the initial admission period can be requested to be 1 year. I am not sure if there are some other special cases for B-2 that can also ask for 1 year.
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Can B2 visa stay more than 6 months?
B1 and B2 visas are usually issued for a term of 10 years. Each visit may last up to six months, although some categories of visitors may apply to extend their visit for an additional 6 months.How long can you stay on B2 visa?
B1 and B2 visa holders are allowed to stay in the US for up to 6 months at a time. Each visa application will be assessed on its own merit, and the adjudicating officer may grant a stay of less than 6 months \u2013 this is the maximum period for an initial stay under the B classification.How can a Canadian stay in the US longer than 6 months?
The good news is, if you need to stay in the US longer than 6 months as a Canadian, you have the option to extend your stay! You can do this by filing a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires through the USCIS.What happens if I stay more than 6 months in USA?
Cases of overstaying a period of stay in the U.S. by 180 or more days but less than one year are punishable by prohibition of travel to the U.S. for three years. Overstaying for one year or longer is punishable by prohibition of travel to the U.S. for 10 years.How I stayed more than 6 months on a visitor visa my visa extension story !
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