The ‘Admit Until Date’ printed on the I-94 form is the actual deadline for a foreign national’s legal stay in the US, and it is not the same as the visa expiry date stamped in the passport. Here’s why this distinction is crucial and how overstaying can lead to serious consequences.
The US State Department recently confirmed that more than 55 million US visa holders and applicants are under increased scrutiny as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement. The US Embassy in India also issued a reminder on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that the validity of stay is controlled by the ‘Admit Until Date’ on the I-94, and not by the visa expiration date.
A day later, the US government went further by tightening visa issuance rules, particularly suspending visas for truck drivers after an Indian truck driver was charged in Florida with causing three deaths during an illegal highway U-turn.
So, what exactly does this “Admit Until Date” mean, and why does it matter more than visa validity? Here’s a simple breakdown.
1. What is the ‘Admit Until Date’?
The ‘Admit Until Date’ listed on the I-94 form marks the final day a person is legally allowed to remain in the US. This date is set by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of entry and is considered a hard deadline for departure, written in dd/mm/yy format.
The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, issued by CBP, includes details such as the person’s entry date, the ‘Admit Until Date,’ visa classification (e.g., F-1, H-1B), along with personal and passport information.
2. What counts as ‘overstaying’?
If someone stays beyond their ‘Admit Until Date’, they are officially considered to be in overstay status. This is different from simply having a valid visa in the passport.
Consequences of overstaying include:
- Cancellation of current visa
- Possible deportation
- Ineligibility for future visas
For example, if your I-94 lists 04/01/2026 as the ‘Admit Until Date,’ you must leave the US or apply for an extension before January 4, 2026. Staying beyond this date, even if your visa stamp is valid until 2027, will be treated as an overstay.
3. How is it different from the visa expiration date?
| Visa Expiration Date | Admit Until Date (I-94) |
|---|---|
| Printed on the visa stamp inside your passport | Recorded on the I-94 by CBP at entry |
| Determines until when you can request entry into the US | Dictates how long you can legally remain inside the US |
| Example: Visa valid until 2027 | If I-94 says 04/01/2026, you must exit or extend before that date |
The US Bureau of Consular Affairs emphasizes that every time you enter the US, your entry eligibility and length of stay are determined by the CBP officer at the port of entry — not by the visa’s printed expiry date.
In short, while your visa expiry date controls entry, the I-94 ‘Admit Until Date’ controls stay. Failing to follow this could put your immigration status at risk.
