Question about traveling with a B2 visa. My in-laws are from Italy..and have been here numerous times with the VWP for less than 90 days at a time. Well, now that we have a new baby...they wanted to come for 6 months (sigh! Oh boy for me). They went to Florence and were approved for their B2 visa...which was for 6 months at a time for 10 years. Now....does anyone know ...is it 6 months or 180 days? With the VWP it is not 3 months but 90 days so I was just curious when it comes time for them to get their airline tickets. Also, regarding airline tickets...because they will be here 6 months...do you have to buy a return ticket for the exact date they are going home? Seems the ticket price is astronomical because it is for that length of time. When my husband was coming on K1 visa...at the time we bought him a round trip ticket to return home one month later (which of course he didn't) just to save money. Anyone know? Thanks.

6 months

But you would not want to leave the return date that close.

Just in case.

I take it that they are retired?

K1 is very different to a B, I am fairly certain they need to show a ticket to leave, but if it is 1 month later they should still get a 6 month stamp.

This is a FAQ from the US embassy in Tokyo, but it should apply.

Do I need a return ticket in order to travel with a B-1/B-2 visa?

The holder of a B-1/B-2 visa is not required to hold a return ticket. However, you should carry evidence to show that you have a reason to depart the U.S. at the end of your stay and return to your residence abroad. You should also carry evidence to show that you have funds sufficient for your support while in the United States.


here is the link:
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ni...b2faq.html#faq6

My grandparents are German citizens and they have come on a ticket for only a month, but planned to stay longer. They then bought another ticket home. Just so long as they don't outstay their I-94. It doesn't matter what ticket they use to go home. But they DO need to show proof that they have reason to depart (no immigrant intent), so they need to show ties to home after the 6 month visit.


Karoline

Yeah...thanks for the reply. I do know that even when they came here on VWP they were asked for their return ticket at Customs. My in-laws are 80 and 79 years old respectively. They have been here 9 times in the past 5 years...during the past 2 years for 88 days (of course because it is the next day when they fly home....and one time they got yelled at for arriving back to Italy on the 91st day). Trust me...I am already pulling my hair out and thinking of places I can go and hide in the 6 months or less they will be here (lol). Thanks again.

VWP requires a return ticket.

It must be costing a fortune for Travel Insurance, much more than the tickets.

I do not know the Italian market, but my Mum is 80 and for a 2 week stay the travel insurance is more than the plane ticket.

Oh my gosh...it is terrible, isn't it? To get them travel health insurance at 79 years old was over $1100.00 each person! My husband and I pay for that. Now that my FIL is 80 this year....the cost will be over $1600.00 for him. But at 80 years old...I don't think they can stay here for that long without it. know what I mean?

That sounds quite reasonable, UK Insurers charge more!. Which company did they use?

It is a must. Especially at that age.