Length of US B-2 visitor's visa?

I'm not sure if anyone will know the answer or know where I can find an answer to this, since it is a question about US visitor's visas (I've looked on the DIA and British Expats sites, but I couldn't really find much info on it), but I thought I'd ask anyway:

I am thinking of applying for a US visitor's visa (B-2) for a possible trip to LA this summer - I need a visa due to having a drink-driving conviction on my record and so cannot use the VWP anymore. I have to apply for it about 16 weeks before I want to travel (travelling in August so need to apply for visa in the next couple of weeks). However, at this point, I haven't completely decided if I am going to take the trip or not (due to finances) and so am considering just applying for the visa now anyway so that I will have it already if I want to go to the US at any time in the next few years.

I know that when the B-2 is issued, it will be multiple entry and that I will only be admitted to the US for a maximum of 6 months on each visit (from stamp in passport at immigration), but I've read that the US embassy can issue the visa for anywhere from 6 months up to 10 years.

So I'm wondering what the chances are of the visa being issued for maybe 5 or 10 years vs. just 6 months, considering that I have a minor conviction? I don't want to spend the money on applying, only to find that it is only valid 6 months and then I end up deciding not to travel to the US this year after all!

Does anyone have any experience with US visitor's visas or know where I can find out some info? The US embassy site is not very helpful (as usual) and from my experience last time I applied for a US visa (F1 student visa), the US embassy visa appointment booking line is not very helpful either!

When DH got his B2 it was granted for 3 years. He didn't specify a length of time he wanted, they just seemed to grant 3 years and he didn't challenge it. Not sure if 3 years is the standard due to the reason he needed the visa.
Might be something you need to ask at the interview if you need one. I presume you cannot request the length of the visa on the application. That would be way too practical 

Thanks for the response .

When DH got his B2 it was granted for 3 years. He didn't specify a length of time he wanted, they just seemed to grant 3 years and he didn't challenge it. Not sure if 3 years is the standard due to the reason he needed the visa.

From what I've read, the maximum B2 visa length is 10 years, but I'm not sure what determines the length you are given. I just found an account online of someone who had a drink-drive conviction and was issued only a 12-month visa, and so I'm wondering if I'll get a 12-month visa also because it's only been 19 months since the conviction  .

Might be something you need to ask at the interview if you need one. I presume you cannot request the length of the visa on the application. That would be way too practical 

No, I think it's the consulate who decides the length of the visa . I will definitely need an interview though - that's not an option. Since 9/11 anyone applying for a US visa is required to attend an in-person visa interview at the consulate, regardless of circumstances. Before 9/11, I believe you could just do it over the phone without going in person.

I was hoping to find out some info before I applied for the visa (i.e. if they're only going to grant it for 1 year, then I might not bother getting it as I don't know yet if I will definitely be travelling there in the next year), but in the end I decided to just go ahead and book the visa interview this morning as the waiting time is currently 2.5 months! If I travel, I will be leaving the first week of August and the earliest interview I could get was for July 1st (they had a cancellation for tomorrow and for Friday but I don't have my paperwork sorted yet )!

The maximum validity of a B1/B2 visa (for a British Citizen) is 10 years. However, as you stated that you have a conviction it can be limited by the interviewing officer.

When you decide that you would like to travel to the US you must request your police certificate, ACPO and bring that to your Visa appointment. No matter how insignificant you think your conviction is make sure that you demonstrate to the officer that you regret it and will not make the same mistake again.

If your conviction was recent, within the past few years they might send you for a medical screening. It is with their Doctor and quite expensive.

Good Luck

The maximum validity of a B1/B2 visa (for a British Citizen) is 10 years. However, as you stated that you have a conviction it can be limited by the interviewing officer.

When you decide that you would like to travel to the US you must request your police certificate, ACPO and bring that to your Visa appointment. No matter how insignificant you think your conviction is make sure that you demonstrate to the officer that you regret it and will not make the same mistake again.

If your conviction was recent, within the past few years they might send you for a medical screening. It is with their Doctor and quite expensive.

Good Luck

Thanks for the help .

Luckily I already know the process well as I have previously been granted 2 US student visas. The first was in 2003 and was very straightforward, but the second was granted in December 2007, just a couple of months after the conviction and so I had to get the police certificate and go for a medical (cost was £153 in 2007, but I've heard it is up to £200 now).

I have read on the US Embassy website that if the conviction was within 3 years, you have to have a medical, so I was considering waiting until the 3 years was up (September 2010) before applying for the visa. However, I am no longer visiting the US this year (I booked the visa appointment on April 15th, but have cancelled it for now), but I may be taking a holiday there next summer instead. I can reschedule the appointment for any time before April 15th 2010, but my police certificate is only valid until November, so I may just reschedule for Oct/Nov time instead.

Himself got a B2 for 10 years which I thought was standard - though in our case it was to enter the US for > 6 mo (I'm a USC, but our last stay wasn't long enough to go for LPR status).  So no convictions etc.