I-94 decides how long you may stay in the U.S.
Many people stare at their visa expiration and miss the Admit Until Date on their I-94. i-94.org helps you understand the I-94, visa, status, and common risks first. For actual lookup and reminders, use i94.io.
i-94.org is an independent education site. Not affiliated with DHS, CBP, USCIS, or ICE. Not legal advice.
The final rule cleared OMB review on 2026-06-22 and is awaiting Federal Register publication. It affects everyone whose I-94 currently shows D/S.
Three concepts people keep confusing
Your visa is for entry. Your I-94 usually decides how long you may stay after that entry.
A visa is not a length of stay
Your visa usually decides whether you may apply to enter. It does not decide how long you may stay after that entry.
I-94 sets the date
Admit Until Date on the I-94 is, for most nonimmigrants, the primary date that controls authorized stay.
i94.io does the tooling
i-94.org explains the rules. i94.io handles actual lookup, reminders, and status-timeline management.
Visa vs I-94 vs Status
A visa is usually how you apply for entry. The I-94 usually records how long you may stay after that entry. Status is whether you actually keep meeting the conditions of your category. People mix these up constantly, but they do different work.
| Dimension | Visa | I-94 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Used to apply for entry at a port | Records entry class and authorized stay | Whether you actually keep meeting that category's conditions |
| Issued by | U.S. consulate abroad (DOS) | CBP at the port of entry | USCIS / ICE / CBP combined |
| Key date | Visa expiration date | Admit Until Date or D/S | Depends on continued compliance |
| After expiration | Usually affects the next entry attempt | May trigger out-of-status or unlawful-presence accrual | Can affect extensions, COS, and future entries |
| Decides length of stay? | Usually no | Usually a primary field | Combines I-94 with status conditions |
From entry to I-94 expiration: a typical timeline
- Step 1Entry
CBP inspects you and assigns a class of admission
- Step 2I-94 issued
Records Class of Admission and Admit Until Date
- Step 3In status
You keep meeting the conditions of that status
- Step 4Reminder window
Reminders at 90 / 60 / 30 / 14 / 7 days ahead
- Step 5I-94 expires
The Admit Until Date itself
- Step 6Risk zone
Possible out of status or unlawful presence
You probably want to read these first
Tool: Status & UP decision tree
Answer a few questions to place yourself on the status / presence axes.
ReadTool: UP calculator
Enter UP segments to estimate 3/10-year / permanent bar exposure.
ReadWhat is an I-94?
CBP record of admission class and authorized stay.
ReadHow to check your latest I-94
Step-by-step on the CBP site. We collect nothing.
ReadHow to pull Travel History
Past 5 years of arrivals/departures for OPT, GC, N-400.
ReadVisa expiration vs I-94
Visa is for entry. I-94 is for stay.
ReadWhat if my I-94 expires?
Possible out-of-status or unlawful presence.
ReadAir vs land entry: why is the I-94 different?
Electronic vs paper I-94, I-94W, lag.
ReadLyu / Lv / Lü spelling problems
Why Chinese ü-surnames break I-94 lookups.
ReadParole / parolee and the I-94
Parole is not nonimmigrant status, but it does have an I-94.
ReadEntry pathways & quasi-status
Admitted / paroled / EWI, plus TPS, U (I-918B), T, SIJ, VAWA, DACA, CBP One.
Read§222(g) visa voidance — consequences map
Overstay voids the visa and forces reapplication in the country of nationality. Independent from UP and the 3/10-year bar.
ReadAOS / EOS / COS — three easily confused terms
I-485 vs I-129 vs I-539; pending I-485 authorized-stay gray zone and AC21 portability.
ReadVisa & CBP refusal codes reference
§214(b) / §221(g) / §212(a)(6)(C) / §212(a)(9)(A/B/C) / §222(g), plus expedited removal, withdrawal, deferred inspection, NTA.
ReadFull COA code reference
Meaning, default stay and notes for B1/B2/F1/H1B/L1/O1/TN and more.
ReadUS Port of Entry (POE) codes
Air, land, and preclearance POE codes with search.
ReadPolicy source archive
Arrabally, Neufeld, Guilford, Cuellar de Osorio, ICEB-2025-0001 — the case law and rules behind every conclusion on this site.
ReadAll statuses vs I-94 overview
F, J, H, L, O, TN, VWP, TPS, asylum, parole.
ReadWhy a green card has no I-94 — but residency still matters
LPR isn't tied to Admit Until Date, but N-400 counts days.
Readi94.io is launching soon
Actual I-94 lookup, 90/60/30/14/7-day reminders, dependent management, and status timelines will live on i94.io. It's not open yet — drop your email and we'll ping you the moment it goes live.
This site provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney about your case. i-94.org is independent and is not affiliated with DHS, CBP, USCIS, ICE, or any government agency. Actual I-94 lookup and reminder tools are provided by i94.io.