Extension and I-134 question

[donotspam]

When I first bought tickets for my parents to visit us, I didn't know the max time given is 6 months. The roundtrip ticket is for 9 months.

Now, I would like to extend their stay for another 3 months for them to return as per the original itinerary. The original plan was for them to spend Christmas with us for the snow experience, and then in the summer months, when we (auto industry) have the summer shutdown in July, we can take them together on our vacation and they'll leave a month after that.

I've talked a lawyer and his fee is $500 + filing fees. I looked at the paperwork and it doesn't seem too difficult to DIY. The visitor's visa page on this forum says to include a I-134, but the lawyer didn't say I need one. Is it because they are already here? Their 10yr visa was obtained back in 2004.

My question is as follow:

1. Do I need to include a I-134?

2. We plan to take them to 3 states. One of them we have a hotel reservation, the other two, we'll be staying with a relative and a friend. Do I need to mention those and give their addresses as well?

[orion]

1. AFAIK No.
2. Yes, will be helpful. You need to include flight tickets, itirenaries etc. as extensions are not easily granted. 6 months is more than enough time for tourism purposes. No extensions for babysitting!

[ramabalaji]

Orion,
I read OP's post twice. He never mentioned anything about the child. Why do you presume about baby siiting on your own? Id does not look good.

[orion]

Just in case. Doesnt hurt too much to add that. And its good for everyone to be aware of.

[ramabalaji]

It does.

[donotspam]

If I had known the I-94 was for only 6 months, I would have bought the tickets for 6 months.

I always assumed it was for 1 year. I believed in the past when they have come to visit me (mid 90s, early 2000), it was good for 1 year, though the most they have stayed in the past was for 2 months.

Thinking back, it does seem strange for the immigration officer to stamp their I-94 for 6 months or even letting them in, knowing that the e-tickets show a return date of 9 months later rather than 6 months.

In any case, we have the July shutdown, and it was a good opportunity to take them on our vacation.

Just need to extend it for 3 more months per the original plane ticket.

You sure I don't need the I-134? I wish we were flying there instead but am afraid if they reject the extension, I'm out 2 plane tickets. So, we decided to drive instead. So, if they can't go, at least we won't loose out except on the hotel reservations.

[txh1b]

Thinking back, it does seem strange for the immigration officer to stamp their I-94 for 6 months or even letting them in, knowing that the e-tickets show a return date of 9 months later rather than 6 months.

Why is it strange? POE officers are to evaluate the stay and 6 months is the max they provide visitors in most cases. They reserve the right to even grant a 1 month I-94 or even a week. They are the ones that evaluate and have a final say on a person's stay inside US, not the VOs that grant the visas. Pay the airline whatever fine or take the risk of applying for an extension which if it gets denied, voids the visa for any stay past the I-94 date.

Not knowing the rules and law isn't an excuse in any part. I got a traffic citation in a city with a municipal law where no U-turn is allowed unless there is a sign posted that specifically says it is allowed. I could not claim that I am a out of towner. The state law allows U turns while the municipality does not allow it and there is no sign saying No U turn.. Seemed ridiculous but it was my fault to not know the law in that area and I did not have any recourse but pay the fine.

[ramabalaji]

txh1b,
Is it true in the mid 90's stays were granted for 12 months?

[donotspam]

It is actually cheaper to *ship* my parents home by changing their plane tickets. It cost $75/each from NW.

But like I said, we have summer shutdown and I'm on *forced* vacation. Thought it would be nice to take them along on our vacation.

By trying to extend, I'm spending $600 ($300 each) on extension fees, room and board while on vacation in excess of $1000.

Rest assure if I don't hear back or if the extension approval is denied, they would leave before the end of their I-94. Thought it would be nice to have them on vacation with us for a change.

On the other comment I made about having 1 year, I don't have definite proof. I thought that's what they were getting stamped in the past. First visit to the US for them was in 1990 and they have been here 10 times since then and have not overstayed.

[donotspam]

Why is it strange? POE officers are to evaluate the stay and 6 months is the max they provide visitors in most cases. ... Not knowing the rules and law isn't an excuse in any part.

I say it is strange is because my parents e-ticket clearly shows a return flight that is 9 months away. This, I would think, would have raised a red flag. You mean you intend to overstay??

Like I said earlier, I didn't know about the 6 months max. Otherwise, I would have booked the tickets differently, and perhaps take unnecessary vacation instead of the forced summer shutdown vacation.

Btw, I got to say it's strange for some responses to come on so strongly. Most forums are very helpful, esp from more seasoned posters.

I'm seeking knowledge on how to extend my parent's stay. I'm not trying to circumvent any rules or laws. Unlike the example given, making a U-turn is illegal in that particular city. I don't see how this relates to my situation and I don't even know why you are giving this analogy.

My parents are here legally. I'm providing for all their needs and thought it would be nice for a change to have them go on a vacation with us since we are also being forced to take vacation. Is it not legal to extend the stay for a B2??

Some of you make it seem like what I'm trying to do is illegal.

[txh1b]

Btw, I got to say it's strange for some responses to come on so strongly. Most forums are very helpful, esp from more seasoned posters.

I'm seeking knowledge on how to extend my parent's stay. I'm not trying to circumvent any rules or laws. Unlike the example given, making a U-turn is illegal in that particular city. I don't see how this relates to my situation and I don't even know why you are giving this analogy.

You aren't getting it. The forum is trying to help by providing the right info, like it or not. No one wants your folks to lose their 10 year multiple entry visa just because you did not know the rules.

As far as the analogy goes, I did say why clearly in my post. No knowing the rules isn't an excuse. I am going to apply your argument to my case about having an e-ticket for 9 months and not raising red flags. The last time I made a U turn, I did not get a ticket as the officer wasn't observant or wasn't present. That doesn't mean I can argue my case with that as an excuse. It is upto the POE officer. People with 1 way tickets are also let in without being turned back if they are lucky.

If you had known the rules or researched it earlier and planned it right, you could have skipped the snow season and actually used your forced vacation to travel by having them visit couple of months late. Apply for the extension and try your luck. Immihelp has all the details needed for the extension.

[txh1b]

txh1b,
Is it true in the mid 90's stays were granted for 12 months?

Not sure about that. I haven't been in US that long

[donotspam]

You aren't getting it. The forum is trying to help by providing the right info, like it or not. No one wants your folks to lose their 10 year multiple entry visa just because you did not know the rules.

I'm sure in some twisted way you are trying to help. But I think you are not getting it either. If I'm ignorant of the rules or just plain want to circumvent the rules, why do I even bother posting here asking on whether I need to include the affidavit of support or not in the extension. Had I not bothered with the rules, I'll just tell my folks to stay on, go on a vacation with us and then leave as planned.

The plan initially was for them to spend Christmas with us. There's really no better place for them to experience Christmas with snow other than the time that they chose to come. Sure, I could *borrow* some vacation time (i.e. not getting paid) this month or next month and then be forced to take another 2 weeks off in July which I do not have.

I came here (this forum, not US since I've been here since 1990 initially seeking for help and thought I would receive the requested info. Instead I find myself being accused of trying to circumvent some rules and being compared to making an illegal u-turn (??).

I thought it is perfectly legal to apply for an extension which if what I sought out to do so that my parents can remain here legally for another 3 months. If denied or we didn't get a response then, so be it. I'll change their ticket and they can go home earlier.

Still don't see how asking for whether an affidavit of support is needed when filing has anything to do with not knowing the rules or making an illegal u-turn.

Unless you are being critical of them staying here for another 3 months. The way I look at it, in these 3 extra months, we are actually contributing to the economy. Not by choice obviously. I wish I don't have to spend the $600 and the $1000 in hotel and couple more hundred for food. We are not a burden to system. It is not like I'm living on unemployment, collecting food stamp and having the state pay for their health insurance. You must be confusing us with those freeloaders taking advantage of the system and not having paid any taxes either.

[txh1b]

Whatever, sir. I don't see anywhere that you are being accused of some wrongdoing in my posts. There is no point in going back and forth. What you need is laid out on a platter here.

https://www.immihelp.com/visitors-visa-extension/

[immihelp]

I would like to clarify to everyone regarding our stand on visitors visa exntensions.

If someone is asking for information regarding visitors visa extension, provide him with whatever legitimate help you can. Of course, we don't encourage anyone to do any fraud or provide any illegal advice. As per USCIS, if the person has legitimate reason to get the extension, they will get it. Otherwise, their multiple entry visa would be void. Let the original poster make the decision accordingly and let the USCIS decide how to act on each case.

However, I requrest everyone to refrain from unnecessary remarks on each poster for visitors visa extensions. That causes too much disturbance on the forum and headache for us to handle that. Please don't make unnecessary comments like babysistting etc. Lets not try to take charge of everything that happens in this country, let Obama handle that.

This is not about pointing fingers at any one person in particular, but general request overall.

And all those who are looking for help for visitors visa extension, please look at https://www.immihelp.com/visitors-visa-extension/ and if you have any specific question, ask them here. And I request that only those who have direct and to the point answers to the questions, post the reply.

Again, I request everyone to please cooperate on that.