How long you can stay in the US on a B1/B2 visa
Visa validity and length of stay in the US differ. The 6-month B-2 minimum, the one-year limit, where to find your I-94 date and extending for $470.
- How long you can stay is decided by the border officer at entry: the date is on the electronic I-94 record, not on the visa.
- A B-2 tourist gets at least 6 months; the rules cap a single admission at a year.
- You can extend your stay with Form I-539 for $470; it is best filed 45 days before the date on your I-94.
- Pactors will find you an expert free of charge to check the dates and prepare the extension.
Many people think a three-year tourist visa lets them live in the US for three years. It is a common and expensive mistake.
Visa validity and length of stay
A visa is what you need to enter. How long you can stay after entry is decided by the border officer, who puts the date on the electronic I-94 record. Each entry gives its own term, and it is counted from the I-94.
How long a B1/B2 visa gives you
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| At least 6 months | a B-2 tourist gets no less, even if they ask for less |
| Up to 1 year per entry | the limit for B-1 and B-2 visitors |
| Extensions in steps of up to 6 months | each extension is no longer than half a year |
The officer can shorten the minimum only in individual cases with a supervisor's approval. The rules are in 8 CFR 214.2(b).
How to extend your stay
You ask USCIS for an extension on Form I-539. You can file if you entered lawfully on a visa, your status is still valid, you haven't broken its conditions and you have no crimes. Your passport must be valid for the whole stay.
USCIS advises filing at least 45 days before the date on your I-94. The fee is $470 on paper or $420 online. The application can be prepared through extension of stay in the US.
If you stay longer
After the date on your I-94 the visa is cancelled by law (INA 222(g)). You then have to get a new one at a consulate in your country of nationality; for Russian nationals the State Department has designated the embassies in Astana and Warsaw. If the overstay goes past 180 days, you face a 3-year bar on entry after you leave, and past a year, a 10-year bar. Details are in the article on overstaying.
If you need a new visa, see how much a US visa costs in 2026.
Common questions
Where do I find my I-94 date?
Can I extend my stay if I entered without a visa?
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.2 — rules for nonimmigrant classes
- USCIS — extend your stay
- USCIS — fee schedule G-1055 (edition of 09/09/2026)
- 8 U.S.C. 1202 (INA 222(g)) — visa cancellation
- CBP — electronic I-94 record
Links checked on 27 September 2026
