What the Visa Expiration Date Means (2024)

Table of Contents
What the Visa Expiration Date Means Admission to the United States and your Duration of Stay Extension of Stay What if I Decide to Stay Longer and am Out-of-Status with the Department of Homeland Security? More Information 1. Purpose of a U.S. Visa: 2. Visa Expiration Date and Validity: 3. Single vs. Multiple Entries: 4. Entry Determination and Authorized Stay: 5. Authorized Length of Stay: 6. Extension of Stay: 7. Consequences of Overstaying:

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  • What the Visa Expiration Date Means
  • Admission to the United States and your Duration of Stay
  • Extension of Stay
  • What if I Decide to Stay Longer and am Out-of-Status with the Department of Homeland Security?

Sometimes understanding the difference between the visa expiration date and the length of time you have permission to remain in the United States can be confusing. These are very different terms. Also review our “What is a U.S. Visa?” webpage.

  • A U.S. visa in his/her passport gives a foreign citizen permission to apply to enter the United States. A visa by itself doesn’t authorize entry to the U.S. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and that the officer determined you’re eligible to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry for a specific purpose. The port-of-entry can be an airport, a seaport or a land border crossing.
  • At the port-of-entry, a U.S. immigration officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decides whether to allow you to enter and how long you can stay for any particular visit, as part of the Admission process. Only the U.S. immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States.

What the Visa Expiration Date Means

The visa expiration date is shown on the visa along with the visa issuance date. The time between visa issuance and expiration date is called your visa validity. The visa validity is the length of time you are permitted to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States.

Depending on your nationality, visas can be issued from a single entry (application) up to multiple/unlimited entries.

  • A visa issued for a single entry (denoted on the visa under “Entries” with the number 1) is valid, or can be used from the date it is issued until the date it expires to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry one time.
  • A visa issued for multiple entries (denoted under “entries” with a certain number (2, 3, etc.) or “M” for multiple/unlimited entries) is valid, or can be used from the date it is issued until the date it expires to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry as many times as your visa states, provided that:
    • Applying for a new visa is not necessary if your visa has not expired and you have not exceeded the number of entries permitted on your visa.
    • Multiple uses of a visa must be for the same purpose of travel allowable on the type of visa you have.

Please be aware, a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. Additionally, the visa expiration date shown on your visa does not reflect how long you are authorized to stay within the United States.Entry and the length of authorized stay within the United States are determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the port-of-entry each time you travel.

It is important to note that there are circ*mstances which can serve to void or cancel the period of visa validity. If you overstay the end date of your authorized stay, as provided by the CBP officer at a port-of-entry, or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your visa will automatically void or cancel unless;

  • You have filed an application in a timely manner for an extension of stay or a change of status;
  • That application is pending and not frivolous;

If you have applied for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident (LPR, also called green card holder), you should contact USCIS regarding obtainingAdvance Parolebefore leaving the United States.

Admission to the United States and your Duration of Stay

Upon arriving at a port of entry, the CBP official will determine the length of your visit.

On the admission stampor paper Form I-94, the U.S. immigration inspector records either an admitted-until date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your admission stampor paper Form I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. If you have D/S on your admission stampor paper Form I-94, you may remain in the United States as long as you continue your course of studies, remain in your exchange program, or qualifying employment.The admitted-until date or D/S notation, shown on your admission stampor paper Form I-94 is the official record of your authorized length of stay in the United States. You cannot use the visa expiration date in determining or referring to your permitted length of stay in the United States.

Carefully review information aboutinternational visitor admissionon the CBP Website.

Extension of Stay

If you came to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and you want to extend your stay you must apply with USCIS before your authorized stay, denoted on your admission stampor paper Form I-94, expires. It is recommended you apply well in advance of your expiration date. To learn more selectUSCIS, How Do I Extend My Stay?.

Important Note: Providing permission to enter and/or remain in the United States. to persons holding a nonimmigrant visa is not the responsibility of the Department of State, and therefore Visa Services is unable assist you in this regard. All inquiries must be directed to USCIS.

What if I Decide to Stay Longer and am Out-of-Status with the Department of Homeland Security?

  • You should carefully consider the dates of your authorized stay and make sure you are following the procedures. Failure to do so will cause you to be out-of-status.
  • Staying beyond the period of time authorized, by the Department of Homeland Security, and out-of-status in the United States, is a violation of U.S. immigration laws, and may cause you to be ineligible for a visa in the future for return travel to the United States. If you overstay the end date of your authorized stay, as provided by the CBP officer at a port-of-entry, or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your visa will generally be automatically be voided or cancelled, as explained above.SelectClasses of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visasto learn more.

As an expert in immigration and visa matters, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricacies of the U.S. visa system, as exemplified by the content provided on Travel.State.Gov. My understanding spans various aspects of the visa application process, legal considerations, and the nuances of travel regulations.

The article on "What the Visa Expiration Date Means" addresses crucial aspects of U.S. visa regulations. Here are key concepts and insights related to the content:

1. Purpose of a U.S. Visa:

  • A U.S. visa grants a foreign citizen permission to apply to enter the United States.
  • The visa itself does not authorize entry; it indicates eligibility to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry for a specific purpose.

2. Visa Expiration Date and Validity:

  • The visa expiration date is displayed on the visa along with the issuance date, constituting the visa validity period.
  • Visas can be for single or multiple entries, and the number of entries is specified on the visa.

3. Single vs. Multiple Entries:

  • Single entry visas are valid for one-time use within the specified period.
  • Multiple entry visas allow travel to the U.S. as many times as indicated, given that the purpose remains the same.

4. Entry Determination and Authorized Stay:

  • U.S. immigration officers at the port-of-entry decide whether to allow entry and determine the length of stay during each visit.
  • The visa expiration date doesn't reflect the authorized duration of stay in the U.S.

5. Authorized Length of Stay:

  • The admitted-until date or "D/S" (duration of status) on the admission stamp or Form I-94 is the official record of the authorized length of stay.
  • Overstaying authorized stay may void the visa unless certain conditions, such as applying for an extension, are met.

6. Extension of Stay:

  • If individuals on nonimmigrant visas wish to extend their stay, they must apply with USCIS before the authorized stay expires.
  • Visa Services is not responsible for providing permission to remain; inquiries must be directed to USCIS.

7. Consequences of Overstaying:

  • Overstaying authorized stay is a violation of U.S. immigration laws and may lead to visa ineligibility for future travel to the U.S.

This comprehensive overview emphasizes the critical distinction between visa validity and authorized stay, underscoring the importance of adherence to immigration regulations. For more specific details, individuals are directed to the USCIS for extension-related inquiries and the CBP Website for international visitor admission information.

What the Visa Expiration Date Means (2024)
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