Returning to USA on a 10-year tourist visa

[Burebista 3]

Tourist visa, valid for 10 years

Enter USA from Europe

Stay in USA for 6 months

Granted extension for another 6 months

Return to Europe before extension stay ends

? How long before re-entry on tourist visa is permitted ?

Any help finding this info is appreciated (by me) and you have my pre-thanks.

[Boiler 46,833]

Rule of thumb is to stay out at least as long as you were in.

[Burebista 3]

Rule of thumb is to stay out at least as long as you were in.

Thanks. I couldn't find any rules of thumb on the USCIS site. I am hoping somebody knows where the actual rules are listed on the USCIS site, because my search there turned up nil/nada/zippy.

[Inky 1,111]

Thanks. I couldn't find any rules of thumb on the USCIS site. I am hoping somebody knows where the actual rules are listed on the USCIS site, because my search there turned up nil/nada/zippy.

You wouldn't find travel info on the USCIS site. It would be on the DOS travel site or on the US embassy website for your country.

[Burebista 3]

You wouldn't find travel info on the USCIS site. It would be on the DOS travel site or on the US embassy website for your country.

Thanks, Inky. I will now begin searching the DOS and USA Embassy sites.

[L+T 71]

Tourist visa, valid for 10 years

Enter USA from Europe

Stay in USA for 6 months

Granted extension for another 6 months

Return to Europe before extension stay ends

? How long before re-entry on tourist visa is permitted ?

Any help finding this info is appreciated (by me) and you have my pre-thanks.

There is no law against coming right back. My friend of Brazil came 6 months, left christmas, returned after 1 week and stayed 6 months, extended for 6 months (18 months total, less the 1 week at xmas), went back for 3 months, now here again. If they let you in, you are good to go...

[Boiler 46,833]

You will not find anything that specific.

[Burebista 3]

There is no law against coming right back. My friend of Brazil came 6 months, left christmas, returned after 1 week and stayed 6 months, extended for 6 months (18 months total, less the 1 week at xmas), went back for 3 months, now here again. If they let you in, you are good to go...

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's been amazing how many varied responses we can get for the same question. I'd heard from many in the past that you could pretty much step out of the USA for a smoke break, then pop right back in. And tonight I've heard others say you probably have to stay out of the country longer than you visited the country. Squishy guidelines make me nervous.

[Boiler 46,833]

It is designed that way.

[Boiler 46,833]

The IRS have added another form for us non USC's to fill in, she might not want to come back after that hassle.

[Noel194 53]

I think it is up to the actual officer at the POE. If they believe that you are "living"in the US and abusing your visa they can deny entry. Most people cannot go on vacation for a year or 18 months so that might raise a red flag. You said you were here on a "Tourist" visa. Have you been a tourist for 12 months?

[Burebista 3]

I think it is up to the actual officer at the POE. If they believe that you are "living"in the US and abusing your visa they can deny entry. Most people cannot go on vacation for a year or 18 months so that might raise a red flag. You said you were here on a "Tourist" visa. Have you been a tourist for 12 months?

80 year old retired mother-in-law.

[Boiler 46,833]

Some people might think you would be keen to keep her out.

My Mother has now passed on but she used to come an visit us, at that age the Travel Insurance for a few weeks was the same as the airfare. Where does she get her cover?

[jaycali 415]

Thanks. I couldn't find any rules of thumb on the USCIS site. I am hoping somebody knows where the actual rules are listed on the USCIS site, because my search there turned up nil/nada/zippy.

There are no actual rules regarding this in the US. The Schengen area has a 180 day per year maximum, so that's generally a good reference point.

However.

In theory she may leave for one day and come back the next. Proving that she's bona fide tourist is the hard part. Once they suspect she's using the visa to live here, she'll be denied entry.

Edited April 4, 2012 by jaejayC

[Noel194 53]

My cousin just had a similar problem. Her partner is an citizen of Israel and he had a 10 year B2. He would come and stay for 6 months and then they would take a trip out of the USA for a week or two and then return for another 6 months. He has investments that he lives on so no job. He does own property in Israel but is renting it out. His B2 expired and when he applied for a new one they denied him because of the time he had spent in the US . 17 months out of the last 18 months they considered abuse of a tourist visa. They are now married and applied for a grencard but he must stay in Israel until it is approved. I broke the wonderful news to him that he is now subject to US income taxes on all his income worldwide. He is thrilled. Welcome to America.