5 year visa, but passport stamp only says 2 years?

[pesos 1]

Hi all,

My mother in law is here on a 5 year work visa... however the other day when we went to help her get a drivers license the dmv pointed out that her passport entry is stamped February 2014 and under "until" it's written February 2016... so the license would only be issued with a validity period of 2 years.

I'm assuming that this means that although the visa is good for 2 years, upon entry she gets an initial status period of 2 years - and then she needs to do some kind of extension from here in the states?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

What visa does she hold? Work visa can mean many different visas with different rules.

When does her passport expire?

Edited February 22, 2015 by aaron2020

[pesos 1]

She is under her boss' e2 visa - my understanding is that she is "manager level" and is here for 5 years... and passport expiration is in 2019

Edited February 22, 2015 by pesos

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Hi all,

My mother in law is here on a 5 year work visa... however the other day when we went to help her get a drivers license the dmv pointed out that her passport entry is stamped February 2014 and under "until" it's written February 2016... so the license would only be issued with a validity period of 2 years.

I'm assuming that this means that although the visa is good for 2 years, upon entry she gets an initial status period of 2 years - and then she needs to do some kind of extension from here in the states?

It is at the discretion of the admitting officer, to either stamp length of status, or for a lesser periond. While the Visa is good for 5 years, the I-94 determines her length of stay. She can get that extended.

[pesos 1]

Sounds good - I'm not finding info on how to extend that though - is it through uscis?

[aaron2020 11,651]

She has to renew it after 2 years after entering based on her I-94. The 5 years is how long the visa is good for.

Its kinda like having a 10 years visitor visa. It doesn't mean that the person can visit for 10 years. Each visit is limited by the I-94.

http://www.aboutvisas.com/about-visas/temporary-visas/e1-and-e2-visas-for-traders-investors-step-by-step/

Often a five-year visa; admission for two years at a time

[aaron2020 11,651]

Sounds good - I'm not finding info on how to extend that though - is it through uscis?

She does by leaving the US and seek to reenter under the E visa. It will be up to CBP to establish how long she can stay because they have 100% discretion on how long the I-94 is good for. Reentry is not automatic. She may be asked to provide evidence why she needs another 2 years.

[Boiler 43,397]

Definitely something she needs to discuss with her Employers Lawyer, when is she next going home?

[aaron2020 11,651]

http://www.uscis.gov/visit-united-states/extend-your-stay

Application to extend her current stay if she does not want to reenter and get another I-94.

[pesos 1]

Got it - so no extension, just re entry. Thanks all

Ah ok thanks aaron