The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a public advisory to correct a widespread misunderstanding about U.S. visa rules, particularly regarding the length of stay for visitors.
The clarification was shared via the embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on July 17, emphasising that the validity date on a visa does not determine how long a traveller can stay in the U.S.
“Reminder! The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in the United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival, not by your visa expiration date,” the embassy stated.
The advisory explained that a U.S. visa only allows a traveller to approach a port of entry and request permission to enter the country. At the point of entry, a CBP officer makes the final decision on the length of stay.
In order to determine how long a visitor is permitted to remain in the U.S., the embassy advised travellers to check their I-94 form, which contains the official “Admit Until Date” issued by CBP. The form can be accessed online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
In response to the frequently asked question, “I have a U.S. visa. How long can I stay in the United States?” the embassy reiterated, “A U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry and request admission. The CBP officer determines your ‘Admit Until Date’ upon your arrival. You can check the date by which you must depart the U.S. on the I-94 website.”
The embassy stressed that overstaying the authorised period can result in penalties, including visa cancellations or future entry bans.
This advisory is part of the U.S. Mission’s ongoing effort to educate Nigerian travellers about immigration protocols and to reduce the risk of inadvertent visa overstays that could jeopardise future travel opportunities.
