Your B2 visa allows you to stay for the duration written in your I-94 arrival record, not for the length of the visa itself

The B2 visa in your passport is valid for up to 10 years (or sometimes longer, depending on your country), but that does not mean you can stay in the US for 10 years. When you enter the country, a US Customs and Border Protection officer writes an expiration date on your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. That date is what controls how long you can legally remain. Most B2 visitors receive 6 months, though officers can grant anywhere from a few days to 6 months based on what you tell them about your trip.

Your I-94 is the document that matters. You can check it online at cbp.gov/i94 using your passport number and date of birth. If the officer gave you a paper I-94 when you landed, keep it safe—you will need it when you leave. The date on that record is your legal important date. Staying past it, even by one day, puts you in violation of US immigration law.

Key Takeaways

  • Your B2 visa validity (the years printed in your passport) is separate from your allowed stay duration (the date on your I-94 arrival record).
  • Most B2 visitors receive 6 months to stay, but the exact length depends on what the customs officer decides when you arrive.
  • You can check your I-94 expiration date online at cbp.gov/i94 or on the paper form you received at the airport.
  • Overstaying your I-94 date triggers deportation proceedings and makes future US visas much harder to obtain.
  • If you need to stay longer, you must request an extension through USCIS before your I-94 expires, not after.

What the customs officer considers when deciding your stay length

When you arrive at the airport or border, the CBP officer will ask you questions: how long do you plan to stay, what is the purpose of your visit, where will you stay, do you have a return ticket. Your answers influence the duration they grant. If you say you are visiting family for two weeks, they may give you 30 days. If you say you are touring the country and have no fixed return date, they might grant 6 months.

The officer is looking for signs that you plan to leave. A return ticket, a hotel reservation, proof of employment or property in your home country, and a clear itinerary all work in your favor. Vague answers, no return ticket, or signs that you might want to stay longer can result in a shorter grant—sometimes as little as 30 days or even less.

You cannot negotiate the date after the officer writes it. If you receive less time than you hoped, your only option is to request an extension later through USCIS Form I-539, but that process takes weeks and is not may provide to succeed.

How to extend your stay if 6 months is not enough

If your I-94 expiration date is approaching and you need more time, you can file Form I-539, process to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with USCIS. You must file it before your current I-94 expires. Filing before the important date gives you what is called "status protection"—you can legally remain in the US while USCIS reviews your request, even if your I-94 date passes.

The extension process typically takes 4 to 6 months, though times vary by location. You will need to show a valid reason for the extension: a family emergency, medical treatment, or a legitimate change in your travel plans. USCIS is skeptical of extensions, especially if you are asking for a full 6 additional months. Many officers approve only 30 to 90 extra days.

You can file Form I-539 online through USCIS.gov or by mail. The filing fee is around $300 (fees change annually, so check USCIS.gov for the current amount). If USCIS denies your extension, you must leave the country by your original I-94 date or face deportation.

What happens if you overstay your I-94 date

Staying in the US past your I-94 expiration date is a serious violation. You when ready lose your legal status and become deportable. CBP can detain you, and immigration courts can order you removed from the country. Even if you leave voluntarily after overstaying, you trigger automatic bars to future entry.

If you overstay by more than 180 days, you are barred from returning to the US for 3 years. If you overstay by more than 1 year, the bar is 10 years. These bars explore even if you had a valid visa and a good reason for staying—the law does not distinguish. A single day of overstay can complicate your future travel to the US.

Additionally, overstaying makes it nearly impossible to obtain another US visa in the future. Consular officers will see the violation in your record and will assume you cannot be trusted to follow the rules. Many people who overstay find themselves unable to return for work, family visits, or tourism for years.

Leaving the US before your I-94 expires

You must depart the country by your I-94 expiration date. When you leave—whether by plane, car, or boat—CBP will scan or collect your I-94 and record your departure. Keep your I-94 safe until you leave. If you lose it, you can request a copy from CBP, but the process takes time and can delay your departure.

If you are flying out, the airline will check your I-94 before boarding. If your date has passed, they will not let you on the plane. If you are driving across a land border, CBP will check your I-94 at the port of entry. Either way, you cannot leave legally if you have overstayed.

Some people worry about the exact timing—for example, if your I-94 says June 15, can you leave on June 15? Yes, you can leave on your expiration date. The violation occurs only if you remain in the US after that date.

B2 visa validity versus I-94 duration: why they are different

Your B2 visa is a document that allows you to enter the US. It is stamped in your passport and is valid for a set number of years—often 10 years for citizens of many countries, though some countries receive shorter validity periods. That visa lets you board a plane to the US and approach the border.

Your I-94 is what controls how long you can stay once you are here. It is created when you arrive and is specific to that trip. You could have a B2 visa valid until 2034 but still be required to leave on August 15, 2024, because that is what your I-94 says. The visa is your entry ticket; the I-94 is your time limit.

This confusion trips up many travelers. They assume a 10-year visa means they can stay for 10 years. It does not. The visa is good for multiple entries over 10 years, but each entry grants a separate, shorter stay.

Traveling in and out of the US on a B2 visa

If you want to leave the US and come back during your B2 status, you can do so as long as your B2 visa is still valid and you have not overstayed. When you re-enter, CBP will issue a new I-94 with a new expiration date. That new date may be different from your first one—the officer may give you 3 months, 6 months, or any duration they decide.

Each entry is treated separately. If you leave on good terms (before your I-94 expires) and return with a valid B2 visa, CBP will generally assume you are a low-risk traveler and may grant you another 6 months. However, if you have a pattern of overstaying or if you seem to be living in the US rather than visiting, officers may grant shorter periods on subsequent entries.

Keep in mind that leaving the US and re-entering resets your I-94 but does not extend your B2 visa validity. If your B2 visa expires while you are outside the US, you will need a new visa to re-enter. You cannot use an expired visa to board a plane back to the US, even if you have a valid I-94 from a previous entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay longer than 6 months if I have a B2 visa?

Only if you request an extension through USCIS Form I-539 before your I-94 expires. The extension is not automatic and is often denied or granted for only a short period. You cannot stay longer than what your I-94 allows, regardless of your visa validity.

What if I lose my I-94 before I leave the US?

Contact CBP when ready to request a copy. You can also ask your airline or the port of entry where you are leaving to look up your record. Do not leave the country without proof of your I-94 date, as you may be detained for questioning about your legal status.

If I overstay by accident, can I fix it?

Overstaying creates a permanent violation in your immigration record. You cannot undo it. If you realize you have overstayed, you should consult an immigration attorney when ready. Leaving the country voluntarily does not erase the violation and triggers the re-entry bars described above.

Does my B2 visa expire if I stay in the US for 6 months?

No. Your B2 visa validity is separate from your stay duration. If your visa is valid until 2034, it remains valid even if you are in the US for 6 months. However, when your I-94 expires, you must leave, and you cannot re-enter without a valid visa.

Can I work on a B2 visa?

No. B2 is a tourist visa and does not authorize employment. Working on a B2 visa is a violation and can result in deportation and a permanent bar to future US visas. If you want to work in the US, you need a different visa category, such as H-1B or L-1.