visitor visa for my parents DS 156

[susmit]

Dear All,

I am doing my PhD at University of Maryland and my visa is stamped until 2007. My parents would like to visit me (from Bombay) for a semester and I was wondering how should they fill the form DS 156 so that they will get a visa for longer period instead of 3-6 months. My Father is retired and my mother is retiring next year. I will appreciate if someone can help me with this.

Thanks,

Susmit

[immihelp]

Just write whatever duration visa you want.

[pons1]

You should not worry about the duration. Worry about them getting the visa,
hard as it is. DS156 only has q about your intended duration of stay and does not ask any q about the required validity of the visa (6 month, 5yr or 10 yr)
The latter is determined only by the consular at his/her discretion, and not by the applicant.

Intended duration of stay for visitors should only be answered on the form as a 2-3 months of stay , not more. Consulars think 6 months to be a long stay for visitors and may deny the visa.

Even if they get a shorter duration validity visa (6 months), their stay in US will be determined by the stamp at the entry (which can be 6 months for visitors).
And if they return timely without overstaying, they will have no problems getting another visa.