Is COA the same as visa class?

They often match but are conceptually different: the visa is issued by DOS; the COA is what CBP writes on the I-94 at admission. VWP admissions (WT/WB) have no visa but a COA.

How long does B-1/B-2 typically give?

Date-certain, usually up to 6 months, at CBP's discretion — not always the full 180 days.

Can WT/WB extend (EOS) or change status (COS)?

No. VWP admissions cannot EOS or COS, and have no removal appeal — that is the price of using the Visa Waiver Program.

What does 'Admit until' show for F1 / J1 / A / G / NATO?

'D/S' (Duration of Status) instead of a date. If ICEB-2025-0001 is finalized, F/J/M will switch to a fixed admission date.

Do L-2 spouses have automatic work authorization now?

L-2S (2022 USCIS policy update) spouses have automatic work authorization and the I-94 carries an 'S' suffix. L-2 children still do not.

K-1 only gives 90 days — what if it expires?

K-1 requires marriage to the US citizen petitioner and I-485 filing within 90 days; missing the window ends the K-1 path and starts an out-of-status period.

Are CP/DT/PIP parole codes 'status'?

No — parole is not nonimmigrant status, but it does produce an I-94. See the 'admission pathways' article.

Full COA code reference: B1/B2/F1/H1B/L1/O1/TN…

Meaning, default stay, and notes for every common CBP Class of Admission code on the I-94, grouped by category: visitors, students, employment, investor, family, humanitarian, parole, and diplomatic.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-06

规则状态:COA codes · 现行规则更新于 2026-07-06

F/J/M's D/S treatment will change substantially if ICEB-2025-0001 is finalized. Stay rules follow the latest CBP / USCIS guidance.

Direct answer

The Class of Admission on your I-94 is CBP's code for the category granted at entry. B1/B2 is date-certain; WB/WT is a fixed 90 days with no EOS/COS; F1/J1/A/G/NATO are D/S. The code drives default stay, EOS/COS eligibility, and work authorization.

Visitors

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
B1	Business visitor 商务访客	Date-certain, up to ~6 months	—
B2	Tourist / visitor 旅游 / 访亲访客	Date-certain, up to ~6 months	—
B1/B2	Combined B-1/B-2 商务 + 旅游合并	Same as B-1 / B-2	—

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
WB	VWP business (WB) VWP 商务	Date-certain, fixed 90 days	VWP; no EOS/COS, no removal appeal.
WT	VWP tourist (WT) VWP 旅游	Date-certain, fixed 90 days	Same as WB.
GB	Guam/CNMI VWP business 关岛-北马 VWP 商务	45 days	—
GT	Guam/CNMI VWP tourist 关岛-北马 VWP 旅游	45 days	—

Students / Exchange

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
F1	Academic student 学术类学生	D/S (proposed fixed date under ICEB-2025-0001)	—
F2	F-1 dependent F-1 家属	D/S	—
M1	Vocational student 职业类学生	Date-certain (up to 1 year), extendable	—
J1	Exchange visitor 交流访问者	D/S	May carry §212(e) 2-year home residency requirement.
J2	J-1 dependent J-1 家属	D/S	—

Employment

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
H1B	Specialty occupation worker 专业职业工作签证	Date-certain, initial 3 yrs, max 6 (with exceptions)	—
H4	H dependent H 家属	Follows principal	—
L1A	Intracompany transferee — manager/exec 跨国公司管理人员	3 yrs, extendable up to 7	—
L1B	Intracompany transferee — specialized 跨国公司专业知识雇员	3 yrs, extendable up to 5	—
L2	L dependent L 家属	Follows principal; L-2S has automatic work auth	—
O1	Extraordinary ability 杰出人才	Date-certain, up to 3 yrs, extendable	—
O3	O dependent O 家属	Follows principal	—
P1	Athletes / entertainment groups 运动员 / 表演团体	Tied to event/tour	—
TN	USMCA professional (CA/MX) USMCA 加/墨专业人员	Date-certain, up to 3 yrs, extendable	—
TD	TN dependent TN 家属	Follows principal	—

Investor / Trade

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
E1	Treaty trader 条约商人	Date-certain, 2-yr blocks, extendable	—
E2	Treaty investor 条约投资人	Same as E-1	—
E3	Australian specialty worker 澳大利亚专业人员	2-yr blocks, extendable	—

Family / Fiancé(e)

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
K1	Fiancé(e) of US citizen 美国公民未婚妻/夫	90 days; must marry and file AOS in that window	—

Humanitarian

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
U	U visa victim of crime U 犯罪受害者(I-918)	4 yrs; AOS eligibility after 3	—
T	T trafficking victim T 人口贩运受害者	4 yrs; AOS eligibility after 3	—

Parole

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
DT	Deferred inspection parole Deferred inspection 短期 parole	Short-term, pending CBP review	—
PIP	Public interest parole 公共利益人道 parole	Case-specific	—
CP	Parolee (generic) 假释入境(通用)	Case-specific	—

Diplomatic / Official

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
A1	Diplomat 外交官	D/S	—
G1	Intl. organization principal rep 国际组织代表	D/S	—
NATO1	NATO official NATO 官员	D/S	—

Transit / Crew

Code	Category	Default stay	Note
C1	Alien in transit 过境	Up to 29 days	—
D	Crewmember 船员/机组	Up to 29 days	—

Legal terminology quick reference

Split by axis + events; click a term to jump to the matching definition section on this site.

中文	English	Axis / Category	One-liner
合法身份	lawful status / legal status	status axis	Complying with classification conditions; a subset of authorized stay.
失去身份	out of status	status axis	Violation of classification conditions; ≠ automatic UP accrual.
授权停留期	period of stay authorized	presence axis	The §212(a)(9)(B) primary anchor; UP does not accrue during this period.
非法滞留 (UP)	unlawful presence	presence axis	Accrues in real time in-country; settles into a bar upon departure.
超期停留	overstay	event	Past the I-94 date; triggers §222(g) visa voidance.
离境	departure	event	The event that settles accrued UP into a 3 / 10-year bar.
§222(g) 签证作废	§222(g) visa voidance	event consequence	Triggered by overstay; decoupled from UP / bar mechanics.
3 / 10 年禁令	3 / 10-year bar	settlement outcome	INA §212(a)(9)(B); single continuous UP; activates on departure.
永久禁令	permanent bar	settlement outcome	INA §212(a)(9)(C); aggregate UP > 1 year + later reentry/attempt without admission.

Frequently asked (FAQ)

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.