Offtopic: 10 year US visa

[iam_toby]

Hey gang,

heard quite a lot of people talking about a 10 year US visa? How would one
go about to apply for that??
I'm from a visa exempt country, so I usually enter the US on my visa waiver visa ( I-94 ),
which is only valid for 90 days at a time and a big hassle as it has to be returned upon leaving
the US, before it expires.

Thanks,

- Toby

 

[MenicMonday]

Hmm. I don't think you need it though.
I have a 10-year B1/B2 but get issued the I-94 every time I enter the US (this is the small card that they staple in the passport right)?
Incidentally, they made the I-94 electronic already. You just log-in and download, no need to surrender as well upon leaving. Not sure if this also applies for those in driving by car.

 

[iam_toby]

Hmm. I don't think you need it though.
I have a 10-year B1/B2 but get issued the I-94 every time I enter the US (this is the small card that they staple in the passport right)?
Incidentally, they made the I-94 electronic already. You just log-in and download, no need to surrender as well upon leaving.

Yes, the I-94 is the little green card they staple into your passport. It's just annoying that whenever it expires,
I have to get out of my car when I cross the border, walk into immigration and wait in line to get a new I-94.

Edit: And it also costs me US$6 every time.

 

[rssumal]

I have the 10 years B1/B2 visa have traveled to US from May 2013 and still doing it for work. Apparently since May 2013 they stopped using I-94 so all you get is an immigration stamp on your passport when you fly. The same works on the land borders. I crossed Buffalo border about three times on car and no I-94 was needed.
P.S - I have an Indian Passport.

 

[MenicMonday]

The Visa I "think" is independent from the I-94. I've seen visitors with 10-year visas that get stamped-in for only a couple of months...really depends on the Border Officer. The maximum for B1/B2 is 6 months I believe.


Maybe for visa-exempt countries the maximum they can give you is 90-days.

 

[iam_toby]

The Visa I "think" is independent from the I-94. I've seen visitors with 10-year visas that get stamped-in for only a couple of months...really depends on the Border Officer. The maximum for B1/B2 is 6 months I believe.


Maybe for visa-exempt countries the maximum they can give you is 90-days.

Where did you apply for your 10 year visa??

 

[rssumal]

The stamp they put on is valid for 6 months at one stretch. You have to come back before that. Atleast that is the case with me, I am not sure if they change it from person to person which I think they would never do.

 

[Hope1957]

I think a 10 year visa is issued to those countries that require a visa to enter USA. Since you are from a visa exempt country, I am not sure if you can get this. However, I'd suggest you check with US Immigration, as you might be able to apply for a Visa (with an explanation of course). I am basing this because when I applied for my US Visa, I received a prompt which was for Canadian citizens, asking them to explain why they are applying for a US Visa as Canadians do not require a US Tourist Visa. Note that I am NOT from a visa exempt country.

Hey gang,

heard quite a lot of people talking about a 10 year US visa? How would one
go about to apply for that??
I'm from a visa exempt country, so I usually enter the US on my visa waiver visa ( I-94 ),
which is only valid for 90 days at a time and a big hassle as it has to be returned upon leaving
the US, before it expires.

Thanks,

- Toby

 

[rssumal]

DS-160 is the online form to apply for it.

 

[iam_toby]

I think a 10 year visa is issued to those countries that require a visa to enter USA. Since you are from a visa exempt country, I am not sure if you can get this. However, I'd suggest you check with US Immigration, as you might be able to apply for a Visa (with an explanation of course). I am basing this because when I applied for my US Visa, I received a prompt which was for Canadian citizens, asking them to explain why they are applying for a US Visa as Canadians do not require a US Tourist Visa. Note that I am NOT from a visa exempt country.

You think it would be best to just head down to the border and talk to them??

 

[iam_toby]

DS-160 is the online form to apply for it.

Ok thanks, I'll look into that and see if that applies to citizens from visa exempt countries. +1

 

[MenicMonday]

Yes, the stamping is upon the discretion of the Border Officer, especially for B1/B2.

I also have an H1B, and I just use this one since they stamp until its validity period.

Toby: no need for you to get B1/B2...I applied at the US Consulate in Toronto.

 

[Hope1957]

I don't think so. You have to go through the formal process of applying for a US tourist visa (like me). I am quite certain that the personnel at the border do not have the authority to issue you a longer visa than they are authorized to. I am sure that only a visa officer has that discretion, for which you have to formally apply for a US visa from Canada and possibly attend an interview, etc.

I'd first write to US Immigration and ask them the procedure to apply for a longer US Tourist Visa. And they should be able to guide you accordingly. DS 160 is the application form. I'd sincerely suggest you to check with Immigration first and then proceed accordingly.

Good luck!

You think it would be best to just head down to the border and talk to them??

 

[iam_toby]

Yes, the stamping is upon the discretion of the Border Officer, especially for B1/B2.

I also have an H1B, and I just use this one since they stamp until its validity period.

Toby: no need for you to get B1/B2...I applied at the US Consulate in Toronto.

I'll talk to US immigration and customs. There's gotta be an easier and more long-term solution that the I-94
That would be more than annoying that every time I cross the border I have to make sure that my I-94
is still valid and if not wait in line at immigration again and get another one, having my friends and girlfriend ( canadian citizens )
waiting in the car..

 

[MenicMonday]

^But he's from a visa-exempt country, no need for that if the intent is tourism.
All others (e.g. work-related: L or H) Toby will be needing these.