How long can I stay in the United States?

If you are allowed to enter the U.S., the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official will determine the length of your visit on the Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94, pictured below). Since Form I-94 is proof of your authorized stay in the U.S., it's very important to keep it with your passport. It is important that you depart the U.S. on or before the last day you are authorized to be in the U.S. on any given trip. Failure to depart the U.S. could affect your eligibility to obtain visas in the future.

I need to travel a few days after my interview. Can I take my passport with me at the end of the interview?

Yes. After you return from your travels, you should send your passport back to the embassy via FedEx. We will then continue to process and print your visa.

I want to book my travel as far in advance as possible. When should I book my travel tickets for?

Applicants are strongly advised not to book their travel until after they receive their passport and new visa. The best way to avoid the unpleasant circumstance of having bought an airplane ticket only to find out that the visa was refused, or that you will need to go through the costly process of changing your tickets to another travel date, is to wait until after your visa arrives.

What procedures need I go through upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry?

To see what procedures you need to go through upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry, click here.

I forgot to turn in my Departure Record Form I-94/I-94-W. What should I do?

If you left the US on a commercial airline or sea carrier (cruise ship) then there is nothing to worry about because your departure was documented through the commercial organization. Keep the form in your passport, however, because it might help expedite your entry into the US if you choose to visit again.

If you departed the US on a private plane or sea carrier your departure will likely not be documented. If this is the case, you need to mail your I-94 or I-94W form to:

DHS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744 USA

You will also need to provide evidence to validate your departure. Bank, work, and school records showing your presence in another country are some of the ways you can do this. The forementioned address is not able to respond to any questions you might have concerning your length of stay in the US. If you have any questions regarding this, please write to:

US Customs and Border Protection
1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Attn: Mint Annex Building FOIA division
Washington DC, 20229 USA

I have had trouble at the port of entry, but I believe it was due to some error. It there any way I can address this situation?

The Department of Homeland Security launched a website designed as a one-stop shop for people with general questions about travel as well as those who believe they have experienced screening, boarding or port-of-entry problems in error. Please visit this link.

Is the expiration date of my visa the last day I can stay in the United States?

The date of expiration on your visa does NOT represent the last day that you can be in the United States. The validity period on the visa represents the time during which you may apply for admission into the United States. Therefore, the date of expiration is the last day that you may arrive at a U.S. port of entry to request permission to enter the country. For example, your visa may expire on May 13, 2008, so you can travel to the U.S. and request admission at a port of entry until midnight on May 13, 2008. The immigration inspector at passport control will decide how long you are authorized to stay. You might be authorized to stay until Nov 12, 2008 (6 months) and choose to leave May 27, 2008, even though your actual visa expires on May 13, 2008.