I'm not sure which forum to post this on. I don't think it's off topic because it is immigration related

I recently bought a ticket for my mother-in-law to come here to visit for six months. We booked the ticket for her to arrive on December 14th and depart on June 14th. We now have a problem because CBP put an expiration date of June 13th on her I-94.

I called the airline and explained the situation. They said they'll be happy to change the ticket for a hefty change fee. They won't waive the fee because they say we should have known whether my mother-in-law could stay that long prior to coming here. She has a ten year multiple entry visa and I don't think it's possible for us to know that immigration would set the expiration one day prior to her scheduled return flight. My guess is that it was a clerical error.

Aside from paying the change fee, do we have any options? Filing for an extension of stay would cost $300. Can we go back to the airport and see if they'll adjust it by one day?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

CPB stamped it correctly, 6 months would be the 13th of June. Only options are to get flight re-booked or file for an extension with USCIS. Another option I can think of is to visit local CBP office in your area.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contact...rts/co/3307.xml (Denver CBP office)

I don't understand why the airline is giving you a hard time about a flight date 6 months in the future.

I would definitely go to the airport. In my experience, if you go to the airline people at the counter during a lull, they are pretty helpful and can switch your flights around with minimal fees charged, if any. The people at the counter have a lot of power. Be super nice, explain the situation and I bet that you'll get it taken care of. Good luck!

Thanks for the number for CBP. I guess the lesson in this is to make sure we don't book tickets too close to a six month stay.

Probably a good idea. Hope you can change the flight without much hassle.

Wait...and overstay of 1 day carries no bar or penalties. I'm confused why it's such an issue.

That's basically what CBP told me (unofficially of course) but I can't find anything that backs it up. I've actually seen some things that seem to indicate a visa will be voided if you overstay even bone day. My mother-in-law has a multiple entry visa good for ten years, so I certainly don't want to risk that.

She will not have a visa if she overstays.

And of course will prejudice the chances of ever getting another one.

After pleading my case to a Northwest supervisor with no effect, I coughed up the change fee and re-booked the ticket. I was told if I waited, the fare might go up and I'd have to pay the fare difference as well.

I should have booked the ticket on Cathay Pacific and American. Cathay doesn't generally charge for changes to return flights.

I sorry to this, but I think everything will work out well.

I have a question, my wife and I are planning in one year to have a child and we want her mother to come and help with the birth. What kind of Visa does your mother-in-law have where it is good for 10 years and she can re-ener multiple times?

Dwayne and Sandy

To do that she would need a work visa, the dicussion has been about a Visitors Visa - B Visa. Which is usually 10 year multi entry.