Another 6 months duration of stay question

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gabebalazs

Registered Users (C)
I think I know the answer to this, I'm just open to others' opinion too. I apologize, my post is a little lengthy but please bear with me. This is regarding making sure that a 6-month duration of stay is given to the individual described below:

A Hungarian friend of mine is planning a visit to the US. She has a PhD in pharmacy and also holds a masters degree in English-Hungarian medical translation.

The medical translations department of the Hungarian university that she graduated from is trying to build a mutual relationship and cooperation with my Alma mater university in Ohio. The two cities are already sister cities and the two universities already have a thriving relationship between their pharmacy, legal, and physical therapy departments.

Long story short, we (a non-profit organization for international training and development) are putting together an official 5 to 6-month program for her, involving several universities in the region. Meetings, attending conferences, observing classes, shadowing doctors, establishing connections, improving syllabus, vocabulary etc. are part of the plan.

- she'll have US accommodation, transportation and food taken care of by host families and our organization

- she will NOT perform any work/volunteering and obviously will NOT get any compensation

- She already has a 10-year B1/B2 visa in her passport

- She has been in the US before. For 10 weeks, summer of 2010, on a pharmacy PhD student exchange program (J-1 visa with NO 2-year home residency program). Also, last March for 3 weeks as a tourist on her current B1/B2 visa

- she will cover her own plane ticket and health insurance costs, and will have sufficient spending money

- Obviously she will have official invitation letter and detailed description of the program


So she is planning on purchasing a round trip ticket for about 5-6 months duration (details are still being worked on).

We are trying to ensure she will have no problem entering the US and getting a 6 month duration of stay on her I-94.

I think we're in good shape but is there anything else we can do to make sure she will get the 6 months?

thank you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks for the reply.
I always respect your posts and I know you have lots of experience. However, this time I was expecting a little more constructive opinion. I KNOW none of us are CBP officers and cannot foretell how they will decide in a given case. Still, I thought that by giving as much info as I have perhaps someone could predict the outcome or perhaps add some advice if needed to make sure that the possible outcome of the process would be positive when she enters the US.
But I thank you regardless.
 
The sponsoring organization should have an attorney involved. Some of the activities you describe seem more appropriate for a J-1 visa rather than a B1/B2 entry. Some certainly fall under the category of work (i.e. developing classes). Remember, a B1 visa typically has a 3 month duration rather than 6 months.
 
That is because you asked the wrong question. You wanted to know what will ensure six months. The honest answer is nothing.
Assuming you really wanted to know what will maximse the chances of getting 6 months, here is the answer.
POE officers in majority of cases will issue the default 6 month stay for B-2 visitors once they are satisfied that the applicant will leave the US in a timely fashion. The officer will gauge the responses of the questions he/she puts to the entry applicant. The officer will also consider other variables, like previous travel history (if applicable), citizenship, age, etc in order to make that decision. The key to maximise one's chances of getting 6 months is to be honest with your intentions, keep answers short and simple, do not volunteer any information not asked for, etc. Also, very importantly, if questioned, be able to produce documents that should satisfy that you are clearly a temporary visitor only.

Answers appear much more helpful if the questions are correctly put :)


gabebalazs said:
thanks for the reply.
I always respect your posts and I know you have lots of experience. However, this time I was expecting a little more constructive opinion. I KNOW none of us are CBP officers and cannot foretell how they will decide in a given case. Still, I thought that by giving as much info as I have perhaps someone could predict the outcome or perhaps add some advice if needed to make sure that the possible outcome of the process would be positive when she enters the US.
But I thank you regardless.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry about the confusion. She is NOT working or volunteering for anybody or any organization in the US. She is doing all that for her Hungarian university and doing that free of charge. This way she will improve her English too, get some experience etc. She is not doing any work for any US organization, paid or voluntary.

Concerned4us said:
The sponsoring organization should have an attorney involved. Some of the activities you describe seem more appropriate for a J-1 visa rather than a B1/B2 entry. Some certainly fall under the category of work (i.e. developing classes). Remember, a B1 visa typically has a 3 month duration rather than 6 months.
Click to expand...
 
:) thank you for the answer. I admit I asked the wrong question.
She definitely intends to go home. She has a job, a house and family (parents, grandparents) at home.

Triple Citizen said:
That is because you asked the wrong question. You wanted to know what will ensure six months. The honest answer is nothing.
Assuming you really wanted to know what will maximse the chances of getting 6 months, here is the answer.
POE officers in majority of cases will issue the default 6 month stay for B-2 visitors once they are satisfied that the applicant will leave the US in a timely fashion. The officer will gauge the responses of the questions he/she puts to the entry applicant. The officer will also consider other variables, like previous travel history (if applicable), citizenship, age, etc in order to make that decision. The key to maximise one's chances of getting 6 months is to be honest with your intentions, keep answers short and simple, do not volunteer any information not asked for, etc. Also, very importantly, if questioned, be able to produce documents that should satisfy that you are clearly a temporary visitor only.

Answers appear much more helpful if the questions are correctly put :)
Click to expand...
 
OP, You claim to represent a non-profit organization involved in international cooperative efforts. The fact that you are posing questions to a forum rather than an immigration attorney makes your organization look suspect. You really need an attorney to assist as you formalize these travel arrangements.

Her family ties do not guarantee her return. Many people in similar circumstances come to the US and overstay. Therefore, these are not a way to guarantee her exit.

Please find an attorney - at the very least, a consult with the university's immigration law specialist on this specific case. Doing this wrong will jeopardize this and future applications for her.
 
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