Timing and length of stay question.

I've got a question about how long my girlfriend can stay here in the US. I know it's 180 days with the extension within the year and that the year begins when she first enters the country (at least, that's my understanding.)

So here's the situation. She has a business visa, good for 5 years and multiple visits, and she came for a conference and to visit on March 20th, 2009. She stayed for 17 days. She is coming back in July for 1 month. This essential takes away half of the 90 days allowed, right?

The plan is for her to return to the US in mid-November for the remaining days and ask for an extension, which would carry her through to March 20, 2010. One year since she first entered the country.

My question is, could she then stay an additional 90 (or 180 with extension) days beginning March 21, 2010 since it is a new year? Does the calender reset at that point?

Two more quick questions. How difficult is it to get the extension? How does she go about getting it?

Thank you for any help. =)

[Jim]

Most people on this forum deal with spouse or fiancee visa by necessity. Very few Colombianas had business or travel visas. The Department of Homeland Security can best answer this question.

I want to get a tourist/business visa [officially called a non-immigrant visa] for my GF so she can come to the US with me in a year and travel with me for about a month. I contacted the US embassy in Manila and their requirements were very simple. To get this visa, I need to convince them that she will return to the Philippines and not violate the terms of her visa and stay in the US permanently.

I suggest you contact them or perhaps the Department of Homeland security

http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

and ask your question in the contact us section. Then you will have an official answer.