Usa Tourist Visa

[LuckyLew 4196]

Hello

A Thai friend of mine has a USA tourist visa that indicates it is valid for 10 years

She is currently in the USA as a tourist visiting her sister

Can someone tell me how long she can remain on the USA on her current visit?

Is there a limit, or can she remain there for up to 10 years on this visit?

If there is a set time limit, is there any way she can extend this without leaving the country?

Thanks

LL

[Naam 14115]

Is there a limit, or can she remain there for up to 10 years on this visit?

maximum stay (each stay as long as visa is valid) six months but depending on the entry stamp "permitted to stay till..."

[LuckyLew 4196]

Thanks for the answer

She has a Canadian permanent residency card

Is she able to cross over to Canada then return to the USA?

Does she have to be out of USA for a set period of time?

Thanks

LL

[KamnanT 502]

Thanks for the answer

She has a Canadian permanent residency card

Is she able to cross over to Canada then return to the USA?

Does she have to be out of USA for a set period of time?

Thanks

LL

Yes, she can cross into Canada and then return to the US and in theory is eligible for another stay of up to six months as long as her B1/B2 visa is still valid. However, permission to enter and the actual length of stay granted is entirely at the discretion of the CBP officer at the port of entry. If her first entry was for six months and she attempts to enter again after a short visit to Canada, she can expect to be questioned at length about the purpose of her visit and her future intentions. If the officer suspects she is not a genuine tourist but is intending to reside (or worse, work) in the US, then he/she can deny entry or admit with a shorter length of stay. A third attempted entry after two long stays would almost certainly result in denial unless there were some very unique mitigating circumstances.

The US isn't nearly as generous as Thailand when it comes to long-stay "tourists". Even Thailand's getting tougher.

[Thanyaburi Mac 963]

Thanks for the answer

She has a Canadian permanent residency card

Is she able to cross over to Canada then return to the USA?

Does she have to be out of USA for a set period of time?

Thanks

LL

Yes, she can cross into Canada and then return to the US and in theory is eligible for another stay of up to six months as long as her B1/B2 visa is still valid. However, permission to enter and the actual length of stay granted is entirely at the discretion of the CBP officer at the port of entry. If her first entry was for six months and she attempts to enter again after a short visit to Canada, she can expect to be questioned at length about the purpose of her visit and her future intentions. If the officer suspects she is not a genuine tourist but is intending to reside (or worse, work) in the US, then he/she can deny entry or admit with a shorter length of stay. A third attempted entry after two long stays would almost certainly result in denial unless there were some very unique mitigating circumstances.

The US isn't nearly as generous as Thailand when it comes to long-stay "tourists". Even Thailand's getting tougher.

Lew

Note, too, that it's possible that the U.S. immigration guy at port of entry could, not necessarily "would," cancel the 10-year visa if s/he thought it was being abused by too many entries. These folks have a lot of authority.

Don't want to lose the 10-year visa and go through the hassle of having to apply for another one, with a cancellation on record!

Mac

[Phaka2 3]

Lew

Note, too, that it's possible that the U.S. immigration guy at port of entry could, not necessarily "would," cancel the 10-year visa if s/he thought it was being abused by too many entries. These folks have a lot of authority.

Don't want to lose the 10-year visa and go through the hassle of having to apply for another one, with a cancellation on record!

Mac

Hey, Mac -

Do you have any insight on the criteria for cancellation? My wife has a 10 year visa and we go back and forth every couple months for a couple of months. Noticed lately that ICE is asking more questions about our residency status when we arrive.

Thanks, Phaka