Visitor Visa Duration - DS156 & DS157

[vidukarth]

Hi,
I was filling the DS156 and DS157 forms for my parents Tourist visa. I want to know the duration to put in the Period of stay in the US for question no 26.
Can I put 6 months over there? My parents are employed and one is in Government Service and the other is in private. Should I put 6 months or less than that. I saw a similar post in the forum and got confused as they have mentioned that they had put as 6 months and their visa got rejected. If at all they get the visa for 10 years, what is maximum duration for which they can stay here for the first time.

Also, when I was filling the form online, I got DS156 and DS157 form for my mother, but for my father I just got DS156 alone. What is the reason for this. Any response asap is appreciated as I have to book an appointment for next week.

Thanks in advance
Vidukarth

[JyothiReddy]

for the first time visitors it would be better to keep small duration ex: 3 or 4 months and really to adhere to it if the visa is granted.

DS 157 wont showup for applicants whose age is greater than 55yrs.its for those between 15-55 yrs.

and could you see for the dates for next week?for which language?

[vidukarth]

Hi thanks for the response. I was able to see the dates for Aug 4,5,6 and 7.
I will give the duration as 4 months. But if they get a visa for 10 years, can't they stay for 6 months and leave 15-20 days prior to 6 months. We were hoping that we would get visa and have booked tickets for 20 days short of 6 months

[vidukarth]

Sorry the language was english