Admit Until Date, D/S and class of admission on your I-94
The two lines on your I-94 that matter most are the class of admission and the Admit Until Date. Together they say what you were admitted to do and how long you can stay doing it. Your visa’s expiration date doesn’t change either of them.
Checked against CBP and USCIS guidance on September 21, 2026. The sources are listed at the end of this page.
What the Admit Until Date means
It is the last day of your authorized stay, set by the CBP officer who admitted you. CBP says that if you are still in the U.S., you must leave by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on that date.
Renewing your passport does not give you a new I-94 or a later date. Short trips of less than 30 days by land or ferry to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands don’t either: CBP says they neither create a new I-94 nor extend your Admit Until Date.
What “D/S” means
Instead of a date, some I-94s say D/S, short for duration of status. It means there is no fixed end date. You may stay as long as you keep to the terms of your status. For an F-1 student, that means following the program on your Form I-20.
CBP’s examples of classes admitted for D/S include A-1, A-2, F-1, F-2, G-1 to G-4, I, J-1, J-2 and N-1 to N-6. D/S is not open-ended permission: finishing or leaving your program, or breaking its rules, ends it.
What class of admission means
The class of admission is the status CBP admitted you in, written as a short code such as B2 (visitor for pleasure), F1 (student), H1B (specialty worker) or WT (Visa Waiver tourist). It should match the visa or program you traveled on. If it doesn’t, for example a B-2 code when you came on an H-1B visa, get it fixed quickly: see How to fix a wrong I-94.
How to stay longer
- If your class allows it, file Form I-539 with USCIS to extend or change status. USCIS says to file before your authorized stay expires, and recommends at least 45 days before.
- Workers such as H-1B and L-1 are usually extended by an employer petition rather than an I-539. Their new I-94 comes attached to the approval notice.
- If you came in on the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), you cannot extend. In very limited emergencies, CBP says a 30-day “satisfactory departure” period may be granted case by case.
What happens if you overstay
CBP’s I-94 FAQ spells out the consequences:
- A visa is automatically voided when you stay past your authorized period (INA section 222(g)). You will need a new visa, usually from a U.S. consulate in your home country.
- Visa Waiver travelers who overstay lose ESTA eligibility and need a visa for any future trip.
- Unlawful presence of 181 days to under a year can lead to a 3-year bar on returning. A year or more can lead to a 10-year bar.
Frequently asked questions
What does D/S mean on an I-94?
D/S stands for duration of status. Instead of a fixed date, you may stay as long as you maintain your status, for example by following your F-1 program on your Form I-20. It ends when you finish, leave or break the terms of that status.
What is the Admit Until Date on an I-94?
It is the last day you are authorized to stay in the U.S., set by the CBP officer when you entered. CBP says you must depart by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on that date unless you have been granted more time.
Does my I-94 expire when my passport expires?
No. The I-94 runs to its Admit Until Date (or D/S), and renewing your passport doesn’t change it. Your I-94 record stays linked to the passport you entered with, so use that passport number when you look it up.
My I-94 expired but I have a valid I-797. Am I out of status?
Look at the bottom of the I-797 approval notice. When USCIS approves an extension or change of status, it usually attaches a new I-94 with a new Admit Until Date, and that one replaces the I-94 from your arrival. If the notice is only a receipt (a pending case), your situation depends on the type of filing; ask an immigration attorney before the date passes.
How do I extend my I-94?
If your class of admission allows it, file Form I-539 with USCIS before your Admit Until Date. USCIS recommends at least 45 days before. Employer-sponsored workers are usually extended through their employer’s petition. Visa Waiver visitors cannot extend.
What is the class of admission on my I-94?
It is the status CBP admitted you in, shown as a code such as B2, F1, H1B or WT. It controls what you are allowed to do during your stay, so it should match the visa or program you traveled on.
Does a short trip to Canada or Mexico reset my I-94?
No. CBP says trips of less than 30 days by land or ferry to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands don’t create a new I-94 or extend your Admit Until Date.
More I-94 guides
- What is Form I-94?
- I-94 Number: What It Is and Where to Find It
- I-94 Travel History: How to Get It and What It Shows
- How to Fix a Wrong I-94 or Replace a Lost One
- What Is Adjustment of Status? A Step-by-Step Guide
- H-1B to Green Card: The Complete Roadmap, Step by Step
- Form I-131 Explained: Advance Parole and Travel Documents
Sources
General information from CBP and USCIS guidance, not legal advice. MyCheck is not affiliated with CBP, USCIS or any government agency. Get your official I-94 only from CBP’s I-94 website or the CBP Link app. If your stay, status or a deadline is at risk, talk to an immigration attorney.
