The United States has reminded international visitors that the duration of their stay is determined by officials at the point of entry—not by the expiry date printed on their visa.
In a public advisory, US authorities urged travellers to verify their authorised period of stay by checking their electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, which indicates the date by which they must leave the country.
“Reminder! The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in the United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon your arrival, NOT your visa expiration date,” the advisory stated.
According to the notice, visitors should pay close attention to the “Admit Until” date on their I-94 record, as it determines the legal duration of their stay in the US.
The clarification comes amid concerns that many travellers mistakenly believe they are permitted to remain in the country until the expiration date on their visa.
US immigration authorities explained that a visa only grants permission to travel to a US port of entry and request admission. The final decision on entry, as well as the length of stay, rests solely with a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival.
The authorities warned that visitors who remain in the United States beyond the date authorised on their I-94 record risk violating immigration laws, a breach that could negatively affect future visa applications and subsequent travel to the US.
They advised all international visitors to review their I-94 records immediately after arrival to confirm the duration of their approved stay and avoid overstaying their authorised period.
