Understanding the Difference Between Visa, Status, and I-94
If you’re an international student in the U.S., you’ve probably heard words like ‘visa’, ‘status’,nd ‘I-94’ tossedaround by your school’s international office or immigration websites. They might sound like they mean the same thing, but they’re actually very different.
Mixing them up can cause serious confusion (and immigration headaches), so let’s break it down in plain English.
1. What is a visa?
A visa is permission from the U.S. government to enter the country for a specific purpose.
• It’s a sticker or stamp placed inside your passport.
• It’s issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (never inside the U.S.).
• For students, it’s usually an F-1 or J-1 visa.
Important:
• Your visa has an expiration date, but that date doesn’t control how long you can stay; it only controls when you can enter.
• If your visa expires while you’re inside the U.S., you can still stay legally as long as your status is valid.
• You only need a valid visa again when you leave and want to re-enter the U.S.
2. What is Status?
Status is your legal standing inside the U.S. and the conditions you must follow to stay there lawfully.
• Your status is determined when you arrive and get admitted by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
• For students, F-1 or J-1 status means you must stay enrolled full-time, follow the rules for working, and keep your documents updated.
• Your status is shown on your I-94 record (more on that in a second).
Key point: You can have:
• An expired visa but valid status (okay to stay, not okay to re-enter without a new visa).
• A valid visa but invalid status (not okay; this usually happens if you break the rules of your visa type).
3. What is the I-94?
The I-94 is your official record of entry into the U.S.
• It shows when you arrived, what status you were admitted in, and how long you can stay.
• You can look it up online at cbp.gov/I94.
• For F-1 and J-1 students, your I-94 will usually say D/S (Duration of Status) instead of a fixed date. This means you can stay as long as you keep your status valid.
Why it matters: The I-94, not your visa, determines your actual last day to stay in the U.S. legally.
Quick example to make it clear
Let’s say you’re an F-1 student from Ghana:
• Your visa expires in June 2025.
• You enter the U.S. in August 2024, start school, and keep your I-20 valid.
• If you stay in the U.S. until May 2026 without leaving, you’re fine even though your visa expired a year ago.
• But if you fly home in December 2025, you’ll need to apply for a new visa to come back, even if your status is still valid.
Why you need to know the difference
Understanding these three terms can help you:
• Avoid overstaying and losing legal status.
• Plan travel without last-minute visa panic.
• Communicate clearly with your DSO and immigration officials.
Cheat sheet
• Visa = Entry ticket. Get it before coming to the U.S. from an embassy abroad.
• Status = Your legal standing while in the U.S. Follow the rules to keep it valid.
• I-94 = Your record of entry and how long you can stay. Always check it after you arrive.
Conclusion
Think of it like this:
• The visa gets you into the concert.
• The status is your right to be there and enjoy the show without getting kicked out.
• The I-94 is the wristband that shows security you belong.
Keep all three in mind, and you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary immigration stress.
