What happens if I-94 expires?

If your I-94 expires, you become unlawfully present in the U.S., which can lead to serious consequences like visa revocation, deportation, and being barred from future U.S. entry for 3 or 10 years, depending on the length of your overstay (more than 180 days triggers a 3-year bar; over a year triggers a 10-year bar). You must take immediate action, such as filing for an extension/adjustment or departing, to avoid these penalties, as the I-94 "Admit Until Date" dictates your authorized stay, not your visa's expiration date.

What happens if I overstay my I-94?

Nonimmigrants who overstayed their admission period 365 days or more may be inadmissible pursuant to section 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II) of the INA and barred from seeking admission for a period of 10 years.

Is there a 10 day grace period for I-94?

The 10-day grace period is discretionary; CBP or USCIS determines whether to issue this grace period. Scholars should verify their I-94 record to determine if this period applies. Employment is not permitted during the grace period.

What should I do if my I-94 is not updated?

Delays in record updates and confusion about correction procedures are common challenges. To update an I-94 record after entering the US by air, contact US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) directly. You can visit a local CBP Deferred Inspection Site or use the online I-94 website to request corrections.

Can I adjust status with an expired I-94?

To apply for extension of stay, change of status (for example, B2 to F1, F1 to H1B), adjustment of status (adjustment of status (non-immigrant to immigrant status)) in the United States will require a valid I-94. If the I-94 has expired, the above applications cannot usually be made in the United States.

What Happens If I Overstay My I-94 Expiration Date? - US Citizenship Immigration Guide

Can I stay after my I-94 expires?

This is the only document that confirms your immigration status and controls the authorized period of stay. Once you reach the I-94 expiration date, your status ends, even if the other documents remain valid. There is no grace period beyond your I-94 expiration date while in H-1B status.

What happens if my I-94 expires while my i485 is still pending?

If your I-485 application is pending, you may be in a period of “authorized stay.” This means that you are allowed to remain in the United States while your application is being processed, even if your previous visa or status has expired.

Does I-94 get updated automatically?

Yes, your electronic I-94 automatically updates with your latest U.S. entry/re-entry date and status when you arrive by air or sea, reflecting information from the carrier, but a new I-94 from USCIS (like an approval notice) won't update the CBP website until you re-enter the U.S. and get a new CBP-issued I-94. You must check your online I-94 record after each trip and contact CBP if there are errors, as discrepancies can happen, especially with land crossings or changes in status. 

How to update expired I-94?

Option #1 - Online Correction

Visit the I-94 website and scroll to the bottom. Click "Contact CBP". In the "Topic" field, select "I-94/Traveler Compliance" from the dropdown menu. In the "Applicable Issue" field, select "I-94 Correction(s)/Travel History" from the dropdown menu.

How long does it take to get an I-94 replacement?

Processing time can take between 2 and 5 months. This form is also used to correct inaccurate information on the card such as misspelled information and absent or omitted departure dates.

Why does my I-94 have an expiration date?

The end date indicated on the I-94 is your status expiration date. This is your valid I-94 record until you depart and re-enter the U.S. when you will obtain a new I-94 record.

What happens if my passport has expired while I have E94?

If your passport expires before your visa petition (like an H-1B or L-1), they'll often issue an I-94 that expires on the passport expiration date—not the full length of your petition. This means you could accidentally fall out of status even though your visa stamp and I-797 are still valid.

Can I renew my visa 3 months before it expires?

Can I renew my UAE residence visa 3 months before it expires? Yes, you can renew your residence visa up to six months before expiry if you have a valid reason, such as travel or other personal circumstances. Special approval from the ICP may be required.

What are valid reasons for overstaying?

The caseworker guidance gives examples of reasons that might be accepted as beyond an applicant's control, including:

• Being admitted to hospital for emergency treatment.
• A close family bereavement.
• An educational institution was late in issuing a Certificate of Studies (only relevant to Student applicants)

How long can you stay on I-94?

Admission to the United States and your Duration of Stay

If you have D/S on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, you may remain in the United States as long as you continue your course of studies, remain in your exchange program, or qualifying employment.

Does CBP know when you leave the country?

CBP gathers travelers' arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. Travelers at the land border will now be issued I-94s electronically and will not be given a paper I-94 stub.

Can I apply for a green card with expired I-94?

Yes, an immediate relative lawfully admitted into the United States may be able to qualify for a Green Card. This goal can be achieved through Adjustment Of Status even if they are not in presently lawful, nonimmigrant status.

How long does it take to extend an I-94?

This should be done 30 calendar days prior to the expiry date of the I-94. Note: Processing time for an extension of a G5 visa holder's I-94 is about eight weeks.

What happens if you overstay your I-94?

The law provides that the visa of individuals who overstay is automatically voided and all future nonimmigrant visas must be obtained in the country of nationality, except for those who are eligible for an exemption due to "extraordinary circumstances." If the individual has more than one visa in the passport, only the ...

How much is the fee for I-94?

The I-94 fee for travelers entering the U.S. by land border is $30, effective September 30, 2025, which includes a $6 land border fee and a new $24 fee from H.R. 1, while there's no separate fee for air or sea arrivals as it's generally included in ticket costs. You pay this $30 fee at the land port of entry or online via Pay.gov for a provisional I-94.
 

Can I stay 28 days after my visa expires?

Overstaying a Visa by less than 28 days

If a person contacts them within 28 days of their visa expiring, they may have the option of extending the visa or applying for a bridging visa while the application for a further visa is considered.

Is I-94 tied to my passport?

Air and sea travelers will be issued I-94s during the admission process at the port of entry. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer attaches Form I-94 to the nonimmigrant visitor's passport upon entry to the U.S. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94.

Can I be deported if I'm waiting for my green card?

In certain circumstances, an individual may face deportation or removal while applying for a Green Card. This danger remains because applying for a green card does not provide an individual with immigration status.

Can I legally stay in the U.S. after filing I-485?

An individual who has filed the I-485 application to adjust his or her status from a non-citizen to become a Permanent Resident is considered to be Pending for Permanent Residency (PR Pending or I-485 Pending). This status gives the individual legal status to remain in the U.S. during this pending period.

Does the I-94 show visa status?

The I-94: Proof of Legal Entry into the United States

The I-94 how long a student or scholar is allowed to stay in the United States, proves that they arrived in the country legally in the U.S., and confirms the current immigration status.