Extend your stay in the U.S. as a B-1/B-2 visitor
Form I-539
People admitted to the United States as B-1 or B-2 visitors can ask USCIS for more time on Form I-539. Your allowed stay is the 'Admit Until Date' on your I-94 record, set by CBP when you entered, not the expiry date of your visa. You must file before that date. USCIS decides whether to extend and for how long: B visitor extensions are given in steps of up to six months, and a denial cannot be appealed.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Life in United States
Money
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
People in the U.S. who were admitted as B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism, visiting family) visitors with a visa and need more time for a temporary reason. Not for Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) visitors.
Eligibility
Admitted as a B-1/B-2 visitor with a visa
USCIS says you may apply if you were lawfully admitted with a nonimmigrant visa, your status is still valid, and you have not violated the conditions of your admission.
Not a Visa Waiver Program visitor
Some visitors cannot extend their stay under this pathway.
- Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) visitors cannot extend
- In transit (C or TWOV) and crew members (D) cannot extend
- Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program visitors cannot extend
Official wording
People admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (with an ESTA) cannot extend their stay. Nor can people in transit (C or TWOV), crew members (D), fiance(e)s (K-1, K-2), or visitors admitted under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
Know your 'Admit Until Date'
Check the 'Admit Until Date' on your I-94 and leave on or before it unless you extend.
- CBP sets your admission period when you arrive
- The visa's expiry date does not set how long you may stay
- Get your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov
Official wording
CBP sets your admission period when you arrive. The 'Admit Until Date' on your I-94 is the date your immigration status expires, and you must leave on or before it unless you extend. The visa's expiry date does not set how long you may stay. Get your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementFile before your stay expires
- Document checklistForm I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- FeesForm I-539 filing fee, online
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 7 more requirements
- 8 documents
- 2 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in United States
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- USCIS: Extend your stay (last reviewed 01/24/2024; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (last reviewed 10/07/2026; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Form I-539 and I-539A instructions (edition 08/28/24; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Form M-752, Tips for filing Form I-539 for a B-2 extension of stay (Rev. 05/28/09; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Fee Schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 10/16/26; checked 2026-10-22)
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.1 Requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status (checked 2026-10-22)
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.2(b) Visitors for business or pleasure (checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 7, Part B, Ch. 3: pending extension and period of authorized stay (current as of October 02, 2026; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Unlawful presence and inadmissibility (last reviewed 08/14/2026; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Travel documents, if you are a nonimmigrant (last reviewed 08/21/2026; checked 2026-10-22)
- CBP: I-94 official website (get your most recent I-94, travel history, days remaining)
- CBP: Arrival/Departure Forms: I-94 (last modified Jul 22, 2026; checked 2026-10-22)
- CBP: I-94 Expiration Dates fact sheet ('Admit Until Date', publication 0326-0715)
- CBP: Deferred Inspection Sites (last modified September 24, 2026; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Immigration documents and how to correct, update, or replace them (last reviewed 02/18/2025; checked 2026-10-22)
- USCIS: Form I-94 information for completing USCIS forms (last reviewed 11/18/2020; checked 2026-10-22)
Other routes to United States
- Visit & tourismB-1/B-2 visitor visa
- StudyF-1 Academic Student
- Work permitsE-1 Treaty Trader
- Permanent residenceDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- FamilyImmigrant Visa for Spouse of a US Citizen
- Investors & entrepreneursEB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Status in-country in other countries
- Vatican CityAuthorisation to reside in Vatican City
- VenezuelaTransient rentista visa (TR-RE) for people living on foreign income or pensions
- VanuatuResidence Visa (partner, child, employee, self-funded, foreign investor, leasehold holder) and Permanent Residency
- AlbaniaResidence Permit for Pensioners
- AzerbaijanTemporary residence permit
- BarbadosBarbados 12-Month Welcome Stamp
