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As a nonimmigrant,
your permission to remain in the United States is determined by
your I-94 Arrival-Departure Record, which may have a shorter validity
than your visa.
A visa is a
permit to apply to enter the United States. It issued
by the U.S. State Department and usually obtained at an American
consulate outside the United States. It classifies the visit as
business, tourism, etc. and is usually valid for multiple visits
to the United States during a specified period of time.
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Nonimmigrant Visas
Related Links:
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you receive a visa, you are authorized to travel to the United States.
However, a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter
the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
a separate government agency, has authority to grant or deny your
admission to the United States. In addition, the USCIS
-- not the term of your visa -- will determine how long you may stay
in the United States. When
you enter the country as a nonimmigrant, a U.S. immigration inspector
examines your passport and visa and then gives you a small white
card, USCIS Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). This record
-- not your visa -- should tell you (in the lower right-hand
corner) when you must leave the United States. On
this card, the USCIS
inspector writes either a date or "D/S" (duration of status).
If you have "duration of status" you may remain in the
U.S. as long as you are in the same job (or school) or same category
of job.
If you want
to stay longer than the date authorized by your USCIS Form I-94,
you must apply for an extension with the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services. Proof that you are willing to obey U.S.
immigration laws will be important if you want to travel to the
United States in the future. The decision to grant or deny a request
for extension of stay is made solely by the USCIS.
In some cases, you may not be eligible to apply for an extension.
Also, the USCIS
generally will not extend your stay longer than the validity of
your visa. For more information, including what you should file
if your stay has expired due to extraordinary circumstances beyond
your control, see Extending
My Stay in the U.S.
HELP!
- If you are
in the U.S. and have a question about your length of stay, you
may contact your nearest USCIS District Office or Sub Office or call the national USCIS toll-free information
service at 1-800-375-5283. Be aware that if you have
broken immigration laws, you may be subject to removal (deportation)
from the U.S.
- If you are
in the U.S. and have visa questions, contact the State Department's
Visa Office at 202-663-1225. You may also email a general
inquiry to usvisa@state.gov. Be sure to indicate the general subject
of your inquiry on the subject line (e.g., student visa, visitor
visa, worker visa, etc.), and do not expect an immediate reply.
You may also write to:
The
information provided in this website is not legal advice and should
not be interpreted as legal advice. This website is intended to
provide a basic understanding of this information in summary form.
This information may not be comprehensive, is subject to change,
and may not apply to all individual circumstances. Any information
received here should be confirmed with the appropriate government
agencies or with an attorney, particularly as it relates to your
individual circumstances. Your use of this website indicates your
agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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