Ask the Consul
How long can I stay in the U.S. on my tourist visa?
Having a U.S. visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, but rather indicates that a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined that an applicant is eligible to travel to the U.S. and seek entry for a specified purpose, such as business, tourism, or academic studies. However, only the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors at the ports of entry have the authority to admit travelers to the U.S. under a specific status and for a designated period of time. CBP inspectors normally allow travelers for tourism to stay in the U.S. for a period of up to six months. Individuals travelling for work or with petition based non-immigrant visas are usually admitted for the length of their petition or their work. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which together with CBP forms part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), handles immigration matters (such as changing one's status or length of stay) while a person is present in the U.S.
While a traveler can legally stay in the Unites States for the length of time given them by a CBP inspector, it is important to understand that lengthy stays in the U.S. may make it more difficult to obtain a subsequent visa or renew a visa. Under the law, a person qualifies for a tourist/business visa if they can demonstrate that they have a residence abroad which they do not intend to abandon. If they have recently spent a significant amount of time in the United States, a consular officer might determine that they are in fact residing there and/or working there, effectively disqualifying them for a non-immigrant visa.