Tom
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Posts
- 51,911
[quote author=DENBOY]How long do you have to visit Mexico or Canada to restart the 6 month thing.[/quote]
There's no specific duration; You just need to leave and re-enter the US to restart the clock. But, be aware that, on re-entry, the agent could decide that you left merely so you could get around the 6-month limit, and could deny entry. Don't want to scare you, but we have read/heard of that happening to a very small number of people. In those cases, folks were on their second re-entry (attempting to extend their stay to 18 months).
I'd suggest you visit Canada, not Mexico.
There is an alternative (and legal) way to extend your stay, but we've only had one member (from the UK) report having used it. They filed a form I-539 part way through their stay, and were granted the extension.
There's no specific duration; You just need to leave and re-enter the US to restart the clock. But, be aware that, on re-entry, the agent could decide that you left merely so you could get around the 6-month limit, and could deny entry. Don't want to scare you, but we have read/heard of that happening to a very small number of people. In those cases, folks were on their second re-entry (attempting to extend their stay to 18 months).
I'd suggest you visit Canada, not Mexico.
There is an alternative (and legal) way to extend your stay, but we've only had one member (from the UK) report having used it. They filed a form I-539 part way through their stay, and were granted the extension.