Your I-94 “Admit Until Date,” Not Visa Expiration, Determines Stay

(UNITED STATES) Your time lawfully in the United States depends on the Admit Until Date shown on your I‑94, not on the visa sticker in your passport. If you stay past that I‑94 date, you create an overstay. That can lead to visa revocation, removal from the country, and bars on future entry. You can view your latest I‑94 and the Admit Until Date on the official CBP website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

Policy basics: the I-94 controls your stay

• Your authorized stay ends on the I-94 Admit Until Date.
• A visa controls when you may ask to enter; it does not set how long you may remain after entry.
• CBP issues the I‑94 when you arrive, and USCIS updates it if you later extend or change status.

Example: You hold a 10‑year B1/B2 visa, but your I‑94 shows six months. You must depart or extend before those six months end, even though the visa is still valid for travel.

Who should track an I-94

Everyone admitted to the U.S. as a nonimmigrant must track the Admit Until Date, including:

• Business and tourist visitors
• Students and exchange visitors
• Temporary workers and dependents
• Visa Waiver Program travelers with ESTA
• Canadians admitted in nonimmigrant status

Since 2019, I‑94s are electronic. New I‑94 numbers follow an 11‑character format (9 digits + 1 letter + 1 digit). Older numeric-only numbers still work until their Admit Until Date.

Eligibility to extend or change status

You may ask USCIS for more time or a different status if:

• You remain in valid status on the date USCIS receives your filing
• You file before the Admit Until Date expires
• You have not worked or broken terms tied to your status
• You continue to meet the basic class rules (for example, a visitor still has a clear, short-term purpose)

Notes and cautions:

• Some classes, like Visa Waiver Program entries, cannot extend or change except in rare emergency cases.
• Passport expiration can shorten your I‑94; renewing your passport does not automatically extend your stay.
• You must file to extend before the current Admit Until Date.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, many denials trace back to late filings and missing proof of funds or ties abroad, not the form itself.

Required documents you should gather

When asking for an extension or change, prepare the following:

• Passport ID page and all U.S. entry stamps
• Current I‑94 record showing the Admit Until Date
• Proof of ongoing purpose (itinerary, employer letter, school letter)
• Evidence of funds or income to support your stay
• Proof of ties outside the U.S., when relevant
• If changing status, evidence you qualify for the new class
• If dependents apply, proof of the family link

Attach a cover letter that explains why more time is needed and how long you request.

How to check and print your I-94

1. Go to the CBP site and choose “Get Most Recent I‑94”
2. Enter your details exactly as on your passport
3. Print or save the result; the Admit Until Date appears near the top

Tips if you cannot find your record:

• Try name variations (with/without hyphens)
• If you still cannot find it, contact a CBP Deferred Inspection Site
• You can also use the CBP GO mobile app to view and save your I‑94 record for travel

Application process: asking for more time

• Use Form I‑539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. File online or by mail. The official page is: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539.
• File before the Admit Until Date. USCIS may forgive a short delay only if you show reasons outside your control.
• Keep proof of timely filing; late filings often face denial.
• If USCIS approves, they issue a new I‑94 with a later Admit Until Date.
• If USCIS denies after your date passes, your stay ends, and days of overstay can start the next day.

Tip: Track the “mailbox rule.” If you mail, send by a service with tracking and keep delivery proof.

Avoiding an overstay: common scenarios explained

• Visa valid, I‑94 expired: You cannot remain. You must leave or file to extend before the I‑94 date.
• I‑94 valid, visa expired: You may stay until the Admit Until Date, but you need a new visa for the next entry after travel abroad.
• I‑94 cut short due to passport expiry: Renew the passport, then file to extend before the I‑94 date if you still need time.
• ESTA travelers: Max 90 days and no extension. Overstay ends future ESTA use and can cause visa refusals later.

Consequences of overstay can include:

• Visa cancellation
• Removal proceedings
• 3‑ or 10‑year bars after 180+ days or one year of unlawful presence

Important: Avoid overstays. The immigration consequences can be severe and long-lasting.

Fixing errors on the I-94

If the Admit Until Date or class is wrong due to a CBP error:

• Visit or email a CBP Deferred Inspection Site with your passport, travel history, and proof that shows the mistake
• Ask for a correction to the I‑94 record
• Do not wait until after the shown Admit Until Date; act right away

If USCIS made an error while approving an extension or change, use the contact options on your approval notice.

Practical tips that protect your status

• Set calendar alerts at 90, 60, and 30 days before your Admit Until Date
• Keep a printed I‑94 copy with your passport
• Save boarding passes and I‑94 printouts to show timely departure
• If you move, update addresses so you receive USCIS notices
• Keep your passport valid at least six months past any requested end date
• Students and workers: coordinate with your DSO or HR before filing any request

Employer and school planning

Employers should:

• Verify each hire’s class and Admit Until Date
• Plan start dates and travel so staff can enter and retrieve the I‑94
• Track extension filings early to avoid work gaps

Schools should:

• Remind students to print I‑94s after entry
• Check that CBP admitted the student in the right class
• Help correct I‑94 errors quickly to protect status

Where to find official help

• For I‑94 records, use the CBP link above: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
• For extensions or changes, file Form I‑539: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539.
• For I‑94 data problems, contact a CBP Deferred Inspection Site.

Seek help promptly if you risk overstay.