Does my multiple-entry 6-month B-1 visa to the US expire while I'm back to my country?

Does my multiple-entry 6-month B-1 visa to the US expire while I'm back to my country? - Stickers with I voted inscription and flag of USA

I am the holder of a B-1 visitor visa to the US. It is valid for six months from February 18th. However, I have returned home to my home country for two months during the summer.

Will the visa still go on and expire August 18, or will I have two extra months because I left the US?

Also, is there any way to review my visa validity online?



Best Answer

The USA (unlike for example schengen) has seperate concepts of "Visa" and "Status".

A visa lets you travel to the border and request entry into the corresponding status. Assuming you are granted entry the status then lets you stay.

Normally a B1/B2 visa (plain B1 and plain B2 visas are rare) has a validity between one and ten years.

A B1 or B2 status on the other hand normally lasts 6 months. It is possible to apply for an extension of status to extend that though it's rather expensive and not gauranteed.

With the exception of short visits to Canada, Mexico and a few other nearby countries your status ends when you leave the USA. If you return to the USA while your Visa is still valid and the immigration officer belives you are still a legitimate visitor then you will get a brand new status.

In the USA a status can outlive the Visa so if your visa is still valid at the time you enter you could in principle at least stay another 6 months.

There is no formal limit on the total length of consecutive visits but too many long closely spaced visits may make the immigration officers suspect you are not a legitimate visitor.




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Can you travel to the US if your visa expires in 6 months?

Q. 1 How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a U. S. visa? You must possess a passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).

How soon can I reenter the USA on B1 visa?

If you have a B1/B2 visa, you can visit the United States whenever you want to \u2013 as long as your passport is valid.

Can I enter the US if my f1 visa is about to expire?

Automatic visa revalidation allows most F-1 students to take a trip of less than 30 days to countries contiguous to the United States and reenter on an expired visa provided you have proper documentation and have not applied for a new visa during the visit.

How many times can you enter the US on a B1 B2 visa in a year?

The holder of a B-2 visa can stay for a maximum of 180 days per entry (several times consecutively or at a time). These conditions apply to all visits until the visa has expired. After that the person must reapply for the visa at their U.S. consulate.



HOW B1 OR B2 VISA HOLDER GETS ANOTHER 6 MONTHS IN USA




More answers regarding does my multiple-entry 6-month B-1 visa to the US expire while I'm back to my country?

Answer 2

The validity of the visa is unrelated to the allowed length of stay. One consequence if this is that you can travel to the country and seek admittance any time up to and including the day on which the visa expires. Another consequence is that you might be issued a visa valid for 10 years; that does not mean you can stay in the US for 10 years. Each time you enter the country, the border officer will indicate in your passport how long you may stay during that visit.

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