US Visitor Visa - Minimun length of time between Visits

[rollno_1]

My parents have a 10 year US visitor visa.

They are currently visiting us and will be returning back after 5 1/2 months to India.

 

I heard someone mentioning that there is a new rule where visitors will have to stay away from the US the same amount of time they have been here (atleast 5 1/2 months in the case of my parents) before they can come back on a visitor visa. Is this true?

 

Thank you.

[jairichi]

It is not a new rule. It is expected from a visitor to spend more time in their home country during a year.

[JoeF]

There is no fixed rule. But it somebody applies for entry into the US "too soon" after leaving, in particular if the previous stay was very long, the person may get denied entry, because that looks as if the person actually lives in the US, which on a visitor visa is not allowed.

Now, what is "too soon"? That depends on the situation. The general rule of thumb is to be abroad for at least twice as long as the last visit to the US lasted. This is a rule of thumb, not a hard rule. But it is wise to follow the rule, unless you are ok with your parents getting denied entry and sent back...