My gf is from Denmark and currently has a working holiday visa until end of April. She has been trying to find work so she can apply for working visa but hasn't had much success. Is it possible for her to change her status to visitor once her visa expires so she can stay longer? If so how can she do it? Can she just exits the country (say go to the states), enter, then get stamped on her passport? Can she do this prior to her working holiday visa expires? Or does she have to apply for "visitor extension?"
You need to fill out the change if status form. On the form you will check off from worker to visitor. Send this one month before her work permit expires. It's taking around 4 months for the visitor record to process so in the mean time she'll be on implied status. Make sure you include a copy of her current work permit, bank statements showing she can support herself, letter of support from you (bank statements) ect.
Yes I guess she could just do that. Safer to send the extension this way she doesn't have to talk to any immigration officers who sometime can be unpredictable.
If she exits only to the US and comes back like a few days later, the POE officers might get the idea that she "flagpoled" and she mayor may not be allowed entry but may be given a Visitor Record (limits the number of days/weeks/months of stay); but then again she may not and may be allowed entry without any hassle.
Its worth it spend the money, only $75 and send the app via mail. I would never choose to flagpole when you have the extension option. You could get someone really nice or someone not so nice. Not really worth the risk.