How Long Each U.S. Visa Stays Before Expiration – Every type of nonimmigrant (temporary) visa in the United States has its own set of rules regarding how long you can stay in the country.
Don’t be confused if you think this is the expiration date on the visa you get from the US consulate in your home country—that date simply shows the last day you can use it to physically enter the US. Your I-94 arrival/departure record will show the exact date you must DEPART the United States.
Below is a quick summary of how long various types of visa holders (shown by their letter designation) are normally allowed to stay on any one trip.
In situations where derivative status is allowed, most often for a spouse and children, assume that they will be allowed the same length of stay as the primary visa holder. However, if children marry or turn 21, they will lose their visa eligibility and must either apply to change to a new status or depart the United States.
The normal periods of admission might be limited if your passport is about to expire, so make sure your passport has plenty of time left.
How Long Each U.S. Visa Stays Before Expiration
- A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G4 diplomats, government representatives, and staff: “Duration of Status,” (D/S), meaning you can remain in the U.S. for as long as U.S. Secretary of State continues to recognize you as a member of the diplomatic category. You do not need to apply to extend your stay.
- A-3 and G-5 domestic staff members: Up to three years. You can apply for extensions in two-year increments.
- B visitors for business or pleasure. No more than a year at first, usually six months. You can apply for extensions of stay in six-month increments if your reasons are consistent with the terms and conditions of your original status.
- C-1, transit through the United States. No longer than meets the definition of immediate and continuous transit while passing through the United States. No extensions except in emergencies.
- C-2 representatives to the United Nations: The duration of your mission at U.N. Headquarters. You do not need to apply to extend your stay. A C-2 cannot travel beyond the 25-mile radius of the U.N. district without first applying for and receiving a change of status to another nonimmigrant category.
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- C-3 government representatives in transit: Maximum of 29 days; no extensions.
- D crewmembers: Maximum of 29 days. No extensions of stay or changes to another status.
- E treaty traders and treaty investors: No maximum; initially given a two-year stay. Extensions can be authorized in two-year increments. E visa holders can enter the U.S. up to ten days before their intended period of employment begins and remain up to ten days after their employment ends.
- E-3 Australians in specialty occupation: No maximum; initially given a two-year stay. Extensions can be authorized in two-year increments. Visa holders can enter the U.S. up to ten days before their intended period of employment begins and remain up to ten days after their employment ends.
- F academic students: Duration of status (D/S), meaning for as long as you remain enrolled, full-time, in an educational program at an approved school; are making normal progress toward completing your course of study; and are in compliance with all the terms of your F-1 status. You’re allowed a 60-day grace period to prepare to leave the United States. No extension application is needed.
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- H-1B temporary workers in specialty occupations and distinguished fashion models: Depends on the validity period of the labor condition application and the proposed period of employment, plus a period of up to ten days before the validity period of the H-1B petition begins and ten days after it ends. Most H-1B workers are initially granted up to a three-year stay. Extensions are allowed up to a maximum total stay of six years (with exceptions, notably for persons who are seeking permanent residence through the job). After getting your H-1B, any time you spend outside the U.S. is added on to and extends your three years.
- H-1C registered nurses: Three-year maximum. No extensions are allowed.
- H-2A temporary agricultural workers: Depends on the validity period of the labor certification and the proposed period of employment, plus ten days before the beginning of the approved H-2A petition and 30 days following the expiration of the approved petition. Initial maximum of 12 months, with extensions of up to a year possible, limited by an overall maximum of three years.
- H-2B temporary skilled and unskilled workers: Depends on the labor certification and the proposed period of employment, plus a period of up to ten days before the validity period of the H-2B petition begins and ten days after it ends. Initial maximum of 12 months, with extensions of up to a year possible, limited by an overall maximum of three years.
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- H-3 trainees: The length of the proposed training program, plus up to ten days before and after the start and end dates. If the initial program was designed to last for a shorter period than this but has been continued, the employer may request an extension from USCIS, up to the maximum authorized stay, which is two years (or 18 months for a special education exchange program).
- I representatives of foreign information media: “Duration of status” (D/S), meaning you can remain in the U.S. for the length of your assignment.
- J exchange visitors: Depends on the type of program or appointment. Sometimes the duration of status (D/S). Thirty days are added to the beginning and end of the program. The maximum total time in J-1 scholar status is five years, and no more than six months for short-term scholars. Extensions are allowed only in exceptional cases.
- K-1 fiances of U.S. citizens: Ninety days, with no extensions. (However, USCIS may accept an application to adjust status from a K-1 applicant who is out of status, but who married the U.S. citizen as intended.)
- K-3 spouses of U.S. citizens: Up to two years initially, or until the I-130 visa petition filed by the U.S. citizen spouse has been approved by USCIS and the immigrant can apply for a green card. Extensions are allowed if USCIS hasn’t yet approved the I-130.
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- L intracompany transferees: Initial maximum of three years; extensions of stay allowed based on increments of up to two years. L-1 visa holders can enter the U.S. up to ten days before their intended period of employment begins and remain up to ten days after their employment ends.
- M vocational students: Length of the vocational program as shown on your SEVIS Form I-20, up to a maximum of one year, plus a 30-day grace period in order to prepare to depart the United States. If your vocational program will extend beyond the date indicated on your I-20 and I-94, you can apply for an extension.
- NATO personnel: “Duration of Status,” (D/S) meaning you can remain in the U.S. for the length of the NATO assignment, as coordinated with the U.S. Department of Defense. You need not apply to extend your stay.
- O persons with extraordinary ability and their support personnel: The time period necessary to accomplish the event or activity, up to three years initially, with one-year extensions possible, plus ten days before the validity period of the visa petition and ten days after the petition expires. No maximum.
- P athletes, entertainers, and artists: The time period necessary to accomplish the event or activity, plus ten days before the validity period of the visa petition and up to ten days after the petition expires. Initially up to five years for athletes, and one year for other artists and entertainers. Extensions are possible. Ten-year maximum for athletes; no maximum on others.
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- Q participants in an international cultural exchange program: The time period necessary to accomplish the event or activity, up to a maximum stay of 15 months.
- R clergy and religious workers: The time period necessary to accomplish the activity, with a maximum initial stay of three years. Extensions are allowed, subject to a total maximum stay of five years.
- S informants: Maximum initial stay of three years, plus extensions if supported by a law enforcement organization.
- T victims of trafficking: Four years initial stay. You may be eligible to apply for a green card after three years.
- TN, TD NAFTA professionals from Canada: Up to one year initially, plus extensions of stay in 12-month increments, with no overall maximum.
- TN, TD NAFTA professionals from Mexico: Initial stay up to the validity period of the TN visa application, plus extensions of stay in 12-month increments, with no overall maximum. TN visa holders can enter the U.S. up to ten days before their intended period of employment begins and remain up to ten days after their employment ends.
- U victims of crimes assisting law enforcement: Four years’ initial stay, with extensions allowed if a law enforcement agency certifies that your continued presence in the U.S. is required to assist in the criminal investigation or prosecution.
- Visa waiver program: Ninety-day maximum; 30-day extensions available in cases of emergency
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