What If Someone Overstays a US Visitor Visa?

If someone enters the USA on a visitor visa (B1/B2) and then disappears (overstays or goes out of contact), it is considered a violation of immigration law. Here’s what happens:

• Loss of legal status: The visitor visa only allows a stay for the period authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), usually up to 6 months. Once that period ends, the person becomes undocumented.

• Risk of deportation: If immigration authorities discover the overstay, the individual can be detained and deported.

• Ban on re-entry: Overstaying can trigger re-entry bans. For example:

o Overstay of more than 180 days = 3-year ban.

o Overstay of more than 1 year = 10-year ban.

• Future visa problems: The person’s record will show a violation, making it very difficult to get another U.S. visa or even visas for other countries.

• Criminal issues: If the person works illegally, uses false documents, or gets into legal trouble, this can worsen their case.

In short, disappearing in the U.S. after entering on a visitor visa leads to unlawful presence, deportation risk, bans on re-entry, and serious immigration consequences.