How to ensure four months stay in USA when on a visit visa?
I have a 10-year US B-1/B-2 visa and this is my first time to USA. I am planning to take a four-month break in the US. I have a job, but I just finished a crazy three-year project and I just need to recharge. The last thing I want to do is plan the whole trip for four months. Even as a traveller, I prefer to just go with my gut. All I know is that I will be staying in New York City for 2-3 weeks. I have booked a hotel for my first three days, during which I will check out some of the Airbnb or lodges I found online and stay there for the rest of the duration in NYC. This is my first time using Airbnb and I am just not comfortable picking a place to stay based on some pictures or reviews. I want to meet the host/see the place I am going to stay. Then the other items on the menu, after my 2-3 week stay in NYC, are:
- Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
- Grand Canyon
That's it.
So, how do I convince Immigration on the I-94 to let me stay for four months (Duration of Stay)?
I was told that the only way to convince them is to show hotel booking for four months and that is not possible.
What other ways to prove that I have enough money to stay for the duration?
Or what is Immigration looking to be convinced about?
Best Answer
You should have little trouble getting admitted for four months, provided that you:
- Fill in your landing card with the address of the hotel you will spend your first night (get this address in advance before you travel)
- Can prove at the border that you can financially support yourself for that time, e.g. with bank statements, your American Express card, etc., as you might be asked for it
- When asked, explain that you intend to tour the US for four months
- When asked, accurately list the cities, regions and landmarks that you will visit
You should also strongly consider:
- Having your return ticket already in hand (your airline will likely want you to do this anyway)
The CBP officer will not care that you want to be a tourist for four months. You already have a visa that will allow you to be a tourist for six months! What he will look for is evidence that you are not actually visiting, and will try to live here.
If your story is inconsistent (e.g. you say you want to visit the Grand Canyon but incorrectly say where in the US it is) or you don't have at least a general outline of what you will visit, you may have trouble. But it sounds like you have fairly well planned your visit already, so I wouldn't expect difficulty.
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Can a visitor stay in USA for more than 6 months?
When you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the U.S. for up to six months. If you'd like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.How long can a person stay in the United States with a tourist visa?
The B1/B2 Visa is valid for 10 years, but for each entry, you are allowed to stay in the United States of American only for 180 days or 6 months (at most).How can I stay in the US for more than 3 months?
If you want to extend your stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires.How do I extend my US tourist visa?
If you had a US visa which expired, you can apply for US visa renewal....You have to:How Long Can You Stay on a TOURIST VISA
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Answer 2
People are generally admitted into B2 status for 6 months. The immigration officer can give something shorter if he feels like it, but generally due to reasons like having already been in the U.S. too much recently, or suspicion that you plan to work in the U.S., or something like that. There is no way to "ensure" you will get a certain amount of time. At the same time, if this is your first time in the U.S., and you don't run into an unusually strict officer, you will get 6 months even if you're not planning to be there for that long.
Answer 3
Since you have a B1/B2 visa someone already looked into your situation and decided you have ample ties to your home country. You should have no problems at all. At the border simply tell the truth! Also, consider booking four months out a refundable one way ticket. You can cancel the moment you are in the USA but it might help to be able to show you have a flight ticket to leave.
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Images: William Fortunato, Samson Katt, William Fortunato, Lacza