Non-Immigrant Frequently Asked Questions

Non-Immigrant Visa Validity

(click on the question to get the answer.)

1. How long is a visa good for?
2. What if the visa does not cover my entire stay in the United States?
3. Does a visa guarantee that I can enter the United States?
4. I have a visa in my old passport. Can I just transfer it over?
5. My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I've obtained a new passport; do I need a new visa?
6. My passport will expire soon; do I need to get a new passport or visa?
7. How long can I stay in the United States?
8. If I just have a tourist visa, what sort of activities can I do in the States?
9. I have a visa, do I also need a return ticket?

1. How long is a visa good for?

• You may use your visa to travel to the United States until the date it expires.  However, if your visa says that it is valid indefinitely, you should apply for a new visa, or travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if eligible as all "indefinitely-valid" visas are now obsolete. See further down this page.

2. What if the visa does not cover my entire stay in the United States?

• The period of validity of a visa relates only to the time in which you may travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does not determine how long you may remain in the country. This is a matter for the immigration officer at the port of entry.

3. Does a visa guarantee that I can enter the United States?

• A valid visa permits you to apply for admission to the United States when you arrive at the airport (or other port of entry) in the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) officer at the port of entry makes the final decision as to whether you may be admitted to the United States, and how long you may stay in the United States.

4. I have a visa in my old passport. Can I have it transferred into my new passport?

• It is not possible to transfer a visa from one passport to another. If you wish for a visa in your new passport you must apply for a new visa. But an undamaged, valid, multiple entry visa in an expired or canceled passport can be used until it expires, in combination with a new valid passport.

5. My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I've obtained a new passport; do I need a new visa?

• If the passport in which your visa has been endorsed has expired, the visa in the old passport still can be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, the passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport, and, in so doing, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States.

6. My passport will expire soon. Do I need to get a new passport or visa?

• While visa regulations state that a passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the holder's departure from the United States, the United States has an agreement with many countries (including the Netherlands) automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. The result is that a Dutch passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's stay in the United States. If you are traveling visa free and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted only until the date the passport expires. For other nationalities, please check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.

7. How long can I stay in the United States?

• The period of validity of a visa relates only to the length of time during which the holder may travel to the United States and apply for admission at a port of entry. It does not determine the length of stay which is a matter decided by U.S. immigration authorities at the port of entry. If, while you are in the United States, you find that you need to stay there longer than the period of time initially granted to you, you must contact the nearest office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through www.uscis.gov to apply for an extension of your stay. The USCIS has sole jurisdiction over such matters. It is not possible to extend your stay if you entered visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

8. If I just have a tourist visa, what sort of activities can I do in the States?

• The B-2 visa is only valid for travel to the United States for a temporary visit for pleasure. For a visit for business purposes you need a classification B-1 visa. To apply for such a visa, please follow the instructions. It may be possible for you to travel to the U.S. without a visa if your trip is for less than 90 days and you meet all the conditions for Visa Waiver Program.

9. I have a visa, do I also need a return ticket?

• If you hold a visa of any classification, including a B-1/B-2 visa, you are not required to hold a return ticket; you may enter the United States on a one way ticket. All travelers should carry with them for presentation to U.S. officials, if required, evidence of funds sufficient for their visit and, with the exception of H and L visa holders, evidence that they have a residence abroad to which they intend to return at the end of their stay.