Can I stay in the u.s. for 5 years?

[costarica]

I have a b-1/b-2 visa (temporary visitor for business/pleasure) that is valid for 5 years. Can I stay in the u.s. for 5 years?

[Immigration Office]

Originally Posted by costarica

I have a b-1/b-2 visa (temporary visitor for business/pleasure) that is valid for 5 years. Can I stay in the u.s. for 5 years?

No. If you are admitted into the U.S., you will be given an I-94 (small white card) which is a record of arrival/departure. On the I-94, the INS will mark your date of admission and your maximum period of stay in the U.S. Ordinarily, the initial period of stay will be no longer than 6 months, although you may be able to obtain an extension up to a maximum physical time of 1 year. After being present in the U.S. for one full year, you must either leave the U.S. or change to some other visa category.

Even though the B-1 or B-2 visa is valid for 5 years, you may not be admitted if the INS believes that you are using the B-1/2 visa to actually live in the U.S. For example, if you stay the maximum period allowed (say 6 months or 1 year) and then go abroad for 1-2 weeks and seek to return to the U.S., the INS may deny you readmission.

[mfihussain]

I arrived in USA on 10th of January 2008 and I am facing lot of problem in my country I want to file asylum case on regarding is it possibly my visa is valid until 9th July 2008.

[mfihussain]

how can I file a asylum case

[immigration lawyer]

If you have been in US less than 1 year and can show that you have a valid
story of being persecuted back in your country for race, religion, political
beliefs, or being member of a particular social group, we can help you
prepare and file your Asylum claim. It is much harder to ask for asylum if
you were here in US longer than 1 year already. You would have to call us
or visit us at our offices for a detailed consultation about all the details
and intricacies of you individual case. We will be happy to help you with
this.

Best regards,
Marina Shepelsky
Marina Shepelsky, Esq.
Law Offices of Marina Shepelsky, P.C.
936 Kings Highway, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Tel: 718-769-6352
Fax: 718-769-2391