Visitor Visa expiration date/duration of stay

[manjula c]

My parents got a 1 year multiple entry visitor visa last august and the stamp has a validity period of August 12 2004. They visited us last year right after they got the visa and stayed for 1 month and went back. Now they want to come again in July/August and stay for 5-6 months.

My questions are:

1. Do they have to get the visa renewed OR can they come few weeks before the visa expiry and expect the I-94 to be valid for few months past the visa expiry date. If so, do the Immig. officers take into account the fact they already used up 1 month of their quota. in other words would the duration of stay be say 5 months as opposed to 6 months

2. If we want to extend the visa, is it easier to renew it in US after they arrive OR are we better off getting that done in India before they start.

thanks in advance!

[JoeF]

The visa only has to be valid for the time they enter.
Think of the visa as an entry ticket. Once they are in the US, the visa is irrelevant. The allowed time to stay in the US is specified on the I-94.
So, even if they entered on the last day of the visa validity ,they still would get a 6-months allowed stay.

[manjula c]

Question for Joe/others

JoeF, thanks a lot for the reply. Couldnt have

I have a follow up question. The 6 months Duration of Stay - is it pretty standard OR does it depend on any other factors such as previous visit durations etc

[JoeF]

Re

The 6-month duration for visitors for pleasure (B2) is pretty much standard. The rule is that for a deviation from that, the officer has to get approval from his supervisor.
For visitors for business (B1) the situation is different.

[pati]

Re-entry

Hi:

My father's visa expired in May 2004, but his I-94 is valid till november.

We are planning to go to Canada, Can he re-enter USA.

Please let me know

[immihelp]

Re: Re-entry

Yes, you can still go to Canada. They do not count as out of country visit. They don't take away I-94 and issue new one. You keep same I-94.