US Visa Rules Clarified: What Indian Visitors Need to Know About Staying in the US
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The US Embassy in India has reminded international travelers that the duration of their stay in the US is not determined by the visa expiration date, but rather by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival. The embassy's advisory comes as US President Joe Biden's administration continues to tighten border controls and implement stricter visa screening measures. The CBP officer will set an 'admit until date' on the I-94 form, which records the final day a traveler is legally allowed to remain in the US. This date may differ from the visa's expiry and can be checked online through the I-94 website. The I-94 form is mandatory for most non-immigrant visitors, except for US citizens, returning permanent residents, and certain Canadian visitors. The renewed advisory aligns with the administration's efforts to combat visa overstays and terrorism risks. In recent months, hundreds of highly skilled workers have been stranded in India after their US visa appointments were cancelled due to delays in processing. Employers such as Google and Apple have issued travel advisories, warning employees that leaving the US could result in extended stays overseas. Under the new rules, applicants for certain visas must make their social media profiles public for scrutiny. The State Department has acknowledged that the rollout of these new procedures has caused delays, with some embassies facing backlogs of up to a year. Travelers are advised to check their I-94 form and understand the rules before planning their trip to the US.
