July 15, 2016 – We have been receiving an increased number
of inquiries regarding the standards for I-94 issuance, i.e. the
duration of stay stamping received from the U.S. authorities upon
entry to the U.S. Specifically, we have received inquiries
related to Canadian nationals traveling for business and pleasure
under B-1 and B-2 status respectively. In short, there is no
standardized time permitted. It is possible per regulations
to be admitted up to a year as a visitor for business or pleasure
upon each entry to the U.S., but it is always to the discretion of
the reviewing officer to determine how long an individual is
permitted entry. The practical standard for visa-exempt
Canadians, as determined by consensus of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) officials, is six months. The simple rationale is
six months is half a year. This allows the individual to enter
for the temporary visit and return to their place of residence,
Canada, after six months thus not
