The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a “public reminder” clarifying a widespread misunderstanding regarding US visa rules.

In an explainer, the Embassy stated that the duration of stay granted to a traveller is not determined by the expiration date on the visa, but the one set by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the US port of entry.

The information was conveyed on July 17, 2025 via the Embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account in response to a common question – “I have a US visa. How long can I stay in the United States?”

According to the explanation by the Embassy titled: “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 i94.cbp.dhs.gov.”

Specifically, the advisory stated: “A US visa allows you travel to a US port of entry and request permission to enter. 

“How long you are allowed to stay in the United States is not your visa’s expiration date. The CBP officer determines your ‘Admit Until Date’ upon your arrival and you can check the date by which you must depart online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.”

The Embassy stressed that a visa only allows a traveller to approach a US port of entry and request admission, it does not automatically grant entry or dictate how long the visitor can remain in the country.

Travellers were advised to check their I-94 form, which contains the official “Admit Until Date” assigned by the CBP officer upon entry. 

This date determines when a visitor must leave the US.

This advisory is part of the US mission’s continued efforts to educate Nigerian travellers on immigration procedures and to prevent visa overstays that could jeopardize future travel opportunities.