U.S. Embassy Clarifies Visa Misconception for Nigerian Travelers.
U.S. Embassy Clarifies Visa Misconception for Nigerian Travelers — Visa expiry doesn’t determine stay; CBP sets entry duration. Check I-94 for details.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has released a public notice to address a common misconception about U.S. visa regulations.
The embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account disseminated the alert on July 17. The embassy claims that a traveler’s length of stay is not determined by the expiration date of their visa. Rather, it is set at the U.S. port of entry by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official.
“Keep in mind! Upon arrival, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer determines the duration of an overseas visitor’s stay in the United States, not the expiration date of their visa. The embassy wrote, “Check your I-94 (admit until date) at i94.cbp.dhs.gov to see how long you can stay.”
The embassy emphasised that a visa does not assure entry or specify the duration of a visitor’s stay in the United States; rather, it merely permits the traveler to approach a port of entry and request admission.
It was suggested that travellers review their I-94 form, which includes the official “Admit Until Date” assigned by the CBP officer at the time of entry. A guest must depart the United States on this day.
In response to a frequently asked query, “I have a U.S. visa. How long can I stay in the United States?, the embassy stated, “A US visa allows you to travel to a US port of entry and request permission to enter. Your visa expiration date does not determine how long you can stay in the United States. Upon your arrival, a CBP officer decides your ‘Admit Until Date,’ which you may check online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
Reminder! The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon your arrival, NOT your visa expiration date. To see how long you can stay, check your I-94 (admit until date) at… pic.twitter.com/v3Ppf0zzjD
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) July 18, 2025
