What to do with an Expired Visa

A United States visa enables a foreign citizen to apply to enter the United States. A visa by itself does not authorize entry into the United States, for a visa simply indicates that the application has been reviewed by a consular officer at an American embassy. This review process will determine eligibility to travel to the United States for a specific purpose.

All Visas, along with an issuance date, are attached with an expiration date. The time between the issuance and the expiration date is referred to as the visa validity. This time frame constitutes the length of time that the individual is legally permitted to travel to a United States' port of entry.

Once the Visa expires, the individual must return to their origin location or seek extension via the visa renewal or extension of stay application. To obtain an extension, an individual must apply through the UCSIS before the authorized time of stay expires. It is recommended that an individual seek an extension well before their visa expires.