Visa validity refers to the period when a visa is considered valid and can be used to enter a foreign country. The issuing country usually determines the validity of a visa, which can vary depending on the type of visa and the purpose of the visit. For example, a tourist visa may be valid for a few weeks to a few months, while a work visa may be valid for several years. It is important to note that visa validity does not indicate the duration of stay allowed in the country; that is determined by the visa’s duration or permitted length of stay.
It is essential to verify the validity of your visa before traveling to avoid potential inconveniences that may arise during your travel. There are different ways to check the validity of your U.S. visa, depending on the type of visa. Here are some possible steps you can follow:
- Nonimmigrant visa (tourist, student, or work visa)
- You can check the validity of your visa by looking at the expiration date and the number of entries on the visa sticker on your passport.
- The expiration date is the last day you can use the visa to enter the U.S.
- Check the number of entries; it is the maximum number of times you can enter the U.S. with the same visa. However, the validity of your visa does not determine the length of your stay in the U.S., which is decided by the immigration officer at the port of entry.
- Immigrant visa (such as a family-based, employment-based, or diversity visa)
- You can check the validity of your visa by looking at the expiration date on your visa packet, which is given to you after your visa interview.
- The expiration date is usually six months from the date of your medical examination, and you must enter the U.S. before that date.
If you plan to travel to the United States, consider using Visas for Future for your U.S B1/B2 visa application. Our processing service is designed to make the application process quick and seamless so you can focus on planning your trip without any added stress or hassle.
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If you want to travel to the United States for business, pleasure, or medical treatment purposes, you need a United States B1/B2 Visa. Our processing service will deliver your US B1/B2 Visa to your mailbox within 30 days.
- Non-immigrant visa that allows people to travel to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2) purposes.1
- Visa validity and number of entries depends on nationality.2
- It costs $215.81.
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Types of US visas with their validities
Nonimmigrant Visas (Temporary Stay)
| Visa Category | Purpose | Validity |
| B-1/B-2 Visa (Visitor Visa) | For temporary business travel and/or tourism. | Validity can range from 6 months to 10 years, depending on factors such as nationality and reciprocity agreements. |
| F-1 Visa (Student Visa) | For academic studies at an accredited institution in the US. Validity typically refers to the duration of your studies plus a grace period. | Validity depends on the length of the academic program. Usually, it is granted for the duration of the program of study and a period of optional practical training (OPT). OPT can last up to 12 months for most students and up to 36 months for students in specific STEM fields. |
| H-1B Visa (Specialty Occupation Visa | For highly skilled workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher in specialty occupations. | Validity is typically for three years, with the possibility of extensions up to a maximum of 6 years. |
| J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor Visa) | For participating in exchange programs sponsored by the US government or other organizations. Validity varies depending on the program type. | Generally, J-1 Visa holders are allowed to stay in the United States for the duration of their program, ranging from a few weeks to several years. After the program is completed, J-1 visa holders can remain in the United States for 30 days, known as the “grace period,” to prepare for departure or transfer to another visa status. |
| L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transfer Visa) | For employees of international companies transferring within the company to the U.S. | Validity is typically for three years, with the possibility of extensions. |
| O-1 Visa (Alien of Extraordinary Ability Visa) | For individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. | Validity is typically for three years, with the possibility of extensions. |
| TN Visa (NAFTA Professional Visa): | For Mexican and Canadian citizens working in certain professional occupations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). | Validity is typically for one year, with the possibility of extensions. |
Immigrant Visas (Permanent Stay)
| Visa Category | Purpose | Validity |
| EB-1 (Outstanding Ability/National Interest) | For individuals with extraordinary ability or who are of national interest to the U.S. | Typically, EB-1 visas are issued with a validity period of up to ten years. However, it’s important to note that the validity period of a visa does not determine how long the visa holder may stay in the United States. |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degree/Exceptional Ability) | For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. | Generally, EB-2 visas are issued with a validity period of up to ten years. However, the validity period of a visa does not determine how long the visa holder may stay in the United States. |
| EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals) | For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional arts, sciences, or business ability. | Generally, the visa is valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, allowing the applicant to enter the United States during that time. Once in the US, the visa holder can stay and work permanently, provided they maintain their status and follow all applicable laws and regulations. |
| EB-4 (Religious Workers) | For certain religious workers. | Generally, the visa is valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, allowing the applicant to enter the United States during that time. |
| EB-5 (Investment Visa) | For investors making a significant investment in the U.S. economy. | Generally, the visa is valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, allowing the applicant to enter the United States during that time. |
| F1-F6 (Family-Sponsored) | For immediate family members of US citizens (F1 for spouses, F2 for children, F3 for parents, F4 for siblings, F5 for adult children), and certain other relatives (F6). | Generally, an F1-F6 visa is valid for multiple entries into the United States for up to 10 years. However, the visa holder can usually stay in the United States for six months per visit. |
| Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) | For a limited number of individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. | Validity is for two years. |
Online Verification Methods
Use the Visa Status Check portal: This official portal by the U.S. Department of State allows you to check the status of your pending visa application or retrieve information about an already issued visa. You’ll need your application ID or case number for this method. Visa Status Check portal.
- This allows you to view the status of your issued visa and find details like issuance date, visa type, and expiration date.
- Accessing details about your issued visa. This could involve retrieving information beyond the validity, such as:
- Accessing issuing authority and location: Knowing which embassy or consulate issued your visa can be helpful for future inquiries.
- Accessing conditions of stay: Some visas have specific conditions you must adhere to during your stay in the U.S. You can retrieve this information for reference.
- Accessing passport information: The visa is linked to your passport, so retrieving data might involve confirming the passport number and validity.
To use the U.S. Visa Status Check portal, follow these steps:
1. Go to the U.S. Department of State website and click “Check Visa Status” from the main menu.
2. Enter your application ID or case number.
3. Select the location where you applied for your visa.
4. Enter the security code provided.
5. Click on “Submit” to view the status of your visa application.
You will then see an update on your visa application status, including if it has been approved, denied, or is still pending. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied for your visa.
Contacting Authorities
There are different ways to contact the authorities for your U.S. visa validity checking, depending on the type of visa and the stage of your application. Here are some possible options:
- Nonimmigrant visa (such as a tourist, student, or work visa)
- You can contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa. The U.S. embassy and consulate’s contact information and working hours are on the U.S. Department of State website.
- Immigrant visa (such as a family-based, employment-based, or diversity visa)
- You can contact the National Visa Center (NVC) at 1-603-334-0700.
- You can visit NVC website, which is part of the U.S. Department of State that processes immigrant visa petitions after they are approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 6-month rule for a U.S. visa?
The “6-month rule” for a U.S. visa refers to the requirement that your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States unless exempted by your country. This rule applies to most nonimmigrant visa categories, such as tourist visas (B-1/B-2), business visas, student visas, and temporary worker visas.
How many times can I enter the U.S. on a B1 B2 visa?
The number of times you can enter the U.S. on a B1 B2 visa depends on the number of entries granted on your passport’s visa sticker. There are four possible options:
1. Single entry: You can enter the U.S. only once during the validity period of your visa.
2. Double entry: You can enter the U.S. twice during the validity period of your visa.
3. Triple entry: You can enter the U.S. three times during the validity period of your visa.
4. Multiple entry: You can enter the U.S. as many times as you want during the validity period of your visa.
How to get a 10-year U.S. visa?
Unfortunately, there’s no specific action you can take to guarantee getting a Ten-year U.S. visa. The validity period granted for your visa depends on multiple factors and ultimately lies at the discretion of the U.S. visa officer during your interview. Specific visa categories, like B-1/B-2 (tourist visa), are more likely to receive ten-year validity.
What does B1/B2 mean on a U.S. visa?
A B1 B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to visit the U.S. for business or tourism purposes. The B1 visa is for business-related trips, such as attending conferences, meetings, or contract negotiations. The B2 visa is for tourism, medical treatment, or visiting friends and family. A B1 B2 visa is usually issued together, allowing you to travel for both purposes.3
- Visitor Visa. (2023, December 1). Travel.state.gov. Retrieved February 2, 2024<https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html> [↩]
- U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country. (2023, December 1). Travel.state.gov. <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html> [↩]
- Visitor Visa. (2023, December 1). Travel.state.gov. Retrieved February 2, 2024<https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html> [↩]
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Written by
Rosalie Santos 
Rosalie is a content writer who loves to learn and share knowledge. She has a background in education and teaching, which helps her write clear, accurate, and engaging content. She writes about travel, culture, and education topics. She also handles Turkey and India visa applications, which she learned from Lei Achumbre, the COO of Visas for Future and a visa expert. She fulfills visa orders and answers customer service questions once a quarter.
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Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.
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MLA Style
Santos, Rosalie. "How to check the validity of your U.S. visa?." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/us-visa-validity-check/. Accessed on 17 October 2023.
Chicago Style
Santos, Rosalie. "How to check the validity of your U.S. visa?." Visas For Future. October 17, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/us-visa-validity-check/.