Can I Stay in the USA After My Visa Expires?

No, you cannot legally stay in the USA after your visa expires. Once your visa or authorized stay period ends, you are considered out of status. Overstaying can lead to serious consequences, such as:

1. Unlawful Presence – Staying beyond your authorized period makes you accrue unlawful presence, which can result in being barred from re-entering the USA for several years.

2. Future Visa Issues – Overstaying can make it harder to get future US visas or change status within the country.

3. Deportation Risk – You may be subject to removal proceedings if caught overstaying.

If your visa is about to expire but you want to stay, you should apply for an extension of stay or a change of status with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the expiration date.