Howdy mary319-ga,
Although the initial "length of stay" for a "B-2" visa ("visitor for
pleasure") can be up to a year, when one enters the United States,
they are given an "Arrival-Departure Record" (Form I-94) that usually
is for a 6 month length of stay.
It is the I-94 form that determines the length of stay. More can be
found on the Capriotti & Associates International Law website.
http://www.capriotti.com/bvisa.htm
"Length of Stay in the U.S.
Although an initial stay of one year is possible, normally upon arrival
in the U.S. a person with a B-2 visa is usually given an I-94 for a
period of six months. An extension for an additional six months is
possible."
More on the I-94 form can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) website.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/arrival_departure_record.xml
"Q. What is an Arrival-Departure Document and why Do I Need One?
A: The Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94) ... shows the date you
arrived in the United States and the 'Admitted Until' date, the date
when your authorized period of stay expires. You will receive a blank
I-94 ... Form from a CBP Officer upon arrival in the United States.
This will be at a U.S. port-of-entry at a land border, airport or
seaport.
You will be asked to complete the form prior to inspection. Review the
form for accuracy and legibility before presenting it to the border
inspector.
During the inspection, the CBP Officer may ask you questions about the
purpose of your trip, how long you will be in the United States, and
your residence abroad."
More on "Visitor Visas - Business and Pleasure" can be found on the
U.S. Department of State website.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html
"The 'visitor' visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter
the United States temporarily ... for pleasure ..."
Here is information on applying for a B-2 visa in Venezuela, as provided
om the "Embassy of the United States in Caracas, Venezuela" website.
http://embajadausa.org.ve/wwwh262.html
"How Can I Apply for a Tourist Visa?
If you are over 80, under 14, or are renewing a visa that has expired
within the last year, you can use a travel agency or trough Domesa?s
program to process your visa application, and will not need a personal
interview."
Under certain circumstances, the length of stay can be extended, usually
six months at a time. The U.S. Department of State website has more on
this topic.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1298.html
"Duration & Extension of Stay in the U.S - How the Visa Expiration Date
is Different"
More on the extension process can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services website.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/extendstay.htm
"How Do I Extend My Stay in the United States?"
Under other circumstances, there is no "absolute" number of times that
a visit can be extended, in other words, in theory, a Venezuelan with a
current passport, etc. could stay their entire lives in the United States
on a tourist visa, as long as the visa was valid as well. More on this
can be found on the U.S Department of State website.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_1414.html
"BCIS regulations allow a maximum initial admission in B status of only
one year, and most often BCIS grants B visitors an initial admission of
six months. However, the initial period of admission is extendable in six
months increments, and there is no absolute limit on the maximum length
of stay available in B-2 status."
If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.
Search strategy:
Google search on: "B-2" "length of stay"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22B-2%22+%22length+of+stay%22
Google Search on: "B-2" extension site:.travel.state.gov
://www.google.com/search?q=%22B-2%22+extension+site%3A.travel.state.gov
Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher |
