Regarding the length of visiting USA

[MET2007 0]

My sister will leave USA in couple of months, becasue according to tourist visa, she can't stay longer that 6 months. so can she travel to Canada and then re-enter USA again for another 6 months. she already got 5 year visa.

Thank you for your help.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Met, there is a big change she will not be allowed back in the US if she does that. If she wishes to stay here longer she must apply for an extension - see link below.

Crossing into Canada and back in the US will not get her another 6 months. There is a risk she may not be allowed back in and repatriated from Canada.

Here is the link ----> http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=94d12c1a6855d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Good luck!

[MET2007 0]

Ok, thank you for your help. i knew there would be some sort of paper work to be done.

[mariepear 12]

You shouldn't spend more time of the year in the US than in your own country...

[kzielu 1,149]

Ok, thank you for your help. i knew there would be some sort of paper work to be done.

That paperwork may very well be denied and at this point she will be accumulating overstay. She will need to provide a good reason for extension to be granted.

[Anna Grant 169]

To reset a visa, you generally need to visit a non-contiguous country before coming back. Therefore, visiting Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean will not reset it. As previously mentioned, it is best to spend more time out of the US than in it. Although a number of us have spent more time in the US than out of it without it being an issue. It depends who you get on CBP when you try to enter the US.

[Boiler 45,641]

Why does she want to visit longer?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

She cannot live in the US for 5 years. Her visa is for VISITING only, not living in the US.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Ok, thank you for your help. i knew there would be some sort of paper work to be done.

You're welcome!

Bear in mind that you (she) should not wait until the last minute to send in the request - it may take up to three months for it to process.

Also there are no guarantees that her extension will be approved. If she is denied she will have to leave the country at once to avoid accruing unlawful presence. If granted, she will be given another six months, after which she must return home.

Regardless of the decision, her current tourist visa will be canceled - albeit without prejudice - and she will need to apply for a new visa if/when she intends to visit the US again in the future.

Having said that, filing an extension request is the only correct way for her to be allowed to stay for an additional six months.

Good luck!

Edited August 15, 2013 by Gegel

[Boiler 45,641]

If denied an extension she should assume she will not be getting a US Visa again anytime soon.

Also if she does get an extension then not a good idea to revisit anytime soon.

[Harsh_77 718]

Ok, thank you for your help. i knew there would be some sort of paper work to be done.

She can file for extension but next time she comes back she is going to have hard time entering US on B1/2.

5 year visa does not mean she can live in US for 5 years.