Your B1/B2 stay is limited by your I-94 arrival record, not the visa itself

The length of your stay on a B1/B2 visa depends on what a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer writes on your I-94 arrival/departure record when you enter the country. This is not the same as your visa expiration date. Your visa is only a document that lets you board a plane or ship to the US; once you arrive, the I-94 determines how long you can legally remain.

Most B1/B2 visitors receive permission to stay for up to six months from their arrival date. However, CBP officers have discretion to grant less time — sometimes 30 days, sometimes 90 days — based on what you tell them about your purpose and how long you say you need. The officer writes this duration directly on your I-94 or, if you arrive by air or sea, it appears in the electronic system under your name.

You can find your authorized stay period by checking your I-94 record online at cbp.gov/i94 using your passport number and date of birth. The date listed as "Admitted Until" is your important date. Staying past this date, even by one day, puts you out of status and can affect future visa applications and entry to the US.

Key Takeaways

  • Your I-94 arrival record, not your visa expiration date, controls how long you can stay — typically up to six months for B1/B2 visitors.
  • CBP officers at the port of entry decide your specific duration based on your stated purpose and can grant anywhere from 30 days to six months.
  • You can check your authorized stay end date online at cbp.gov/i94 using your passport number and date of birth.
  • Overstaying your I-94 date by even one day makes you unlawfully present and can result in deportation and bars to future US entry.
  • If you need to stay longer, you must file a request to extend your stay with USCIS before your I-94 date expires.

What the CBP officer decides at the border

When you arrive at a US airport, seaport, or land border, a CBP officer will interview you briefly. They will ask why you are visiting, how long you plan to stay, where you will be, and whether you have ties to your home country. Based on your answers and the documents you present — such as a return ticket, hotel reservations, or a letter from a US business contact — the officer decides how many days or months to permit.

The officer's decision is final at that moment. You cannot appeal it or ask for more time during the interview. If you receive 30 days but later realize you need 90, you will have to file an extension request with USCIS before the 30 days expire. This is why it is important to be honest about your expected length of stay during the CBP interview.

Officers are trained to look for signs that you might intend to stay permanently or work illegally. If you appear uncertain about your plans, lack a return ticket, or cannot explain your ties to your home country, the officer may grant a shorter period as a precaution.

The difference between your visa and your I-94

Many visitors confuse these two documents. Your B1/B2 visa is a stamp or sticker in your passport issued by a US embassy or consulate in your home country. It is valid for a set period — often 10 years for citizens of many countries — and it only proves that a consular officer determined you are not a security or immigration risk. The visa itself does not give you permission to stay in the US.

Your I-94 is the actual permission to be in the US for a specific number of days. It is created when you arrive and is tied to that specific entry. If your visa expires while you are in the US, you can still stay legally as long as your I-94 has not expired. Conversely, if your I-94 expires but your visa is still valid, you cannot stay — but you could use that valid visa to enter the US again on a future trip.

This separation matters because you might have a 10-year visa but only be permitted to stay 90 days on one visit, then return home, and use the same visa to enter again for another 90-day stay on a later trip.

Extending your stay if you need more time

If your I-94 expiration date approaches and you have not finished your business or tourism, you can file a request to extend your stay. You must submit Form I-539, process to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to USCIS before your current I-94 expires. Filing before the expiration date keeps you in lawful status while USCIS reviews your request, even if a decision has not been made by your original important date.

USCIS charges a filing fee for the extension request. The processing time varies but typically takes several weeks to a few months. You will need to explain why you need the extension — for example, you are still conducting business negotiations, attending a conference that was delayed, or completing a family visit. You should also provide evidence that you still intend to return home, such as a new return ticket or a letter from your employer confirming your job is waiting.

Extensions are not automatic. USCIS can deny your request if you do not provide a convincing reason or if the officer believes you are trying to work around immigration rules. Approval is discretionary, and you should not assume you will receive it.

What happens if you overstay

Remaining in the US past your I-94 expiration date makes you unlawfully present. The consequences are serious and long-lasting. If you are discovered out of status, you can be placed in removal proceedings and deported. Even if you leave voluntarily after overstaying, you may face bars to re-entry.

Overstaying for more than 180 days triggers a three-year bar to returning to the US. Overstaying for more than one year triggers a ten-year bar. These bars explore even if you had a valid visa at the time. Additionally, overstaying can make you ineligible for many future visa categories and can result in a permanent finding that you are deportable.

If you realize you have overstayed or will overstay, contact an immigration attorney when ready. In some cases, an attorney can help you file a late extension request or explore other options, though the outcome is not may provide. Do not ignore the problem or hope it will resolve itself.

Checking your I-94 and understanding the dates

Your I-94 record is stored electronically by CBP. To view it, go to cbp.gov/i94, select "Retrieve your I-94", and enter your passport number, passport country, and date of birth. The system will display your arrival date, your "Admitted Until" date, and your admission class (which should show "B1/B2" or "B2").

Write down your "Admitted Until" date and set a reminder on your phone or calendar for two weeks before that date. This gives you time to book a flight home or, if you need more time, to file an extension request before you run out of time. Do not rely on memory or assume you remember what the officer told you — the official record in the system is what matters.

If you cannot find your record online, or if the dates shown do not match what you remember, contact CBP at the port of entry where you arrived. You can also request a copy of your I-94 from CBP by mail or in person at a CBP office.

Planning your trip with your stay limit in mind

Before you travel, think realistically about how long you need. If you are visiting family, plan your itinerary and count the days. If you are attending a conference or conducting business, find out the exact dates and add a few days for travel. When you speak to the CBP officer, be specific: "I am here to attend a conference from March 15 to March 20, and I will depart on March 22" is more convincing than "I am not sure, maybe a month or two."

Book your return flight before you arrive in the US, or at least have a clear plan for when you will leave. Officers are more likely to grant a longer stay if you can show a return ticket. If you do not have a return ticket, be prepared to explain why — for example, you are waiting for a family member to join you before you both leave together.

Keep in mind that even if you receive six months, you do not have to stay that long. You can leave whenever you want. The I-94 is a maximum, not a requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my stay if I fall in love and want to marry a US citizen?

Marrying a US citizen does not automatically extend your B1/B2 stay. You would need to file an extension request with USCIS before your I-94 expires, and you would also need to begin the process of adjusting your status to become a permanent resident. This is a separate, longer process. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your options and timeline.

What if the CBP officer made a mistake and gave me the wrong date?

If you believe the date on your I-94 is incorrect — for example, the officer said six months but the system shows 30 days — contact CBP when ready at the port of entry where you arrived. Bring any notes or documents from your arrival. CBP can sometimes correct errors, but you must report it quickly. Do not wait until you are close to the expiration date.

Can I work in the US while on a B1/B2 visa?

B1/B2 visas do not permit employment in the US. Working without authorization is illegal and can result in deportation and bars to future entry. If you need to work in the US, you need a different visa category, such as an H-1B or L-1. Do not attempt to work on a B1/B2, even if an employer offers to hire you.

Do I need to leave the US on my I-94 expiration date, or can I stay a few more days?

You must leave by your I-94 expiration date. Staying even one day past that date makes you unlawfully present. If your flight is on the expiration date, you should depart that day. If you need a few extra days, file an extension request before your current I-94 expires.

If I overstay by accident, can I just pay a fine?

There is no fine you can pay to erase an overstay. Once you are out of status, the only way to resolve it is to leave the US. Leaving after an overstay may trigger a re-entry bar, depending on how long you stayed past your I-94 date. An immigration attorney can review your specific situation and advise you on the best course of action.