[pct-l] Seeking advice on obtaining permission to stay in the US on a tourist visa long enough to thru-hike

[patrick griffith]

Hi all,
I too will need a visa I imagine, I am a Brit and I live in France, I think I going to apply for a 6 month visa beforehand, although I'm not sure it is strictly necessary. I definitely don't want to get refused entry into the US having made all the preparations for a PCT thru hike. If anyone knows what the score is on this issue, or has done this recently please let me know how it went!
Patrick

> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:01:43 +0000
> From: fredwalters2 at gmail.com
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Seeking advice on obtaining permission to stay in the US on a tourist visa long enough to thru-hike
> 
> As I understand it, entry under visa waiver program is 90 days, but I
> thought that using a visa allows you to be given up to 6 months.  Having a
> visa does not ensure you will be allowed even into the country and how long
> you will be given.  The port of entry officers make those decision (not
> consulates or embassies who issue visas).  However, given that the US wants
> tourists and visitors (or they would not issue visas to start with!), I
> would expect that if you explain your intent at the border they will give
> you enough time (max 6 months).  You have to be sensible at the border - I
> was once visiting for business and they held me for several hours and the
> only reason I could think of was that I was dresses really scruffy (ripped
> T-shirt, old torn jeans, etc.) until eventually they searched my luggage
> and found computer tapes and media and realised my story was true at which
> point all was fine.  Once in the US you can apply for an extension but that
> takes time and I don't know the processes.
> 
> But do check with the US Visa Service in your country - DONT RELY ON MY
> UNDERSTANDING!.  In the UK that is a premium rate number you have to pay
> for.  But is you search around their web site, once a month (or so) they do
> a 1 hour online chat where people can type in questions and get answers
> without calling premium numbers (and the people at the Visa Service end of
> the chat know their stuff so can answer questions like this easily).
> 
> Also, check your visa is still valid.  I have a B1/B2 visa that is marked
> valid forever (can't remember the exact words).  However, the US Visa
> Service has invalidated all such visas so if I tried to use it I would get
> nowhere and have to apply for a new visa.
> 
> The same issue will apply to me when I get to do the hike and should for
> some unexpected reason I get given insufficient time, my "Plan B" is to
> leave into Mexico for a day or 2 and re-enter and try for longer at a
> different port of entry with different officers.  But I very much doubt
> this would be necessary as can't see why they would not give you the time
> you need if they believe your reasons, etc.
> 
> Fred
> 
> On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 10:56 AM, Gideon Scher <gideonscher at gmail.com>wrote:
> 
> > I am planning to thru-hike the trail next year and need advice on how to
> > attain permission to remain in the US for more than the regular period
> > granted automatically to foreign nationals entering the US on a tourist
> > visa. I already have a valid 10 year multiple entry tourist visa. So
> > entering the country is not the big issue. But I would like to to obtain
> > permission to stay long enough to thru-hike *prior* to arriving at a US
> > airport/port of entry. I would hate to plan everything for my 2013
> > thru-hike only to be granted a short stay when I land in the US. If anyone
> > knows the procedure/the way to get such permission, please let me know.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Pct-L mailing list
> > Pct-L at backcountry.net
> > To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> > List Archives:
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> > All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> > Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors. 
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.