How long is the H-1B stamp valid in the passport?

The H-1B stamp in the passport reflects the period approved for your case: an initial term defined by the authorization that can be renewed up to the limit set by the rules. Because these terms vary and depend on each person’s situation, the exact duration must be confirmed with the official source rather than assumed.

More important than the stamp date is understanding what it actually means. The validity shown on the visa indicates until when you may present yourself at a port of entry to request admission as an H-1B holder. It is not, on its own, the amount of time you are permitted to remain in the country.

What determines your authorized period of stay is the entry record, the I-94, generated when you are admitted. For this reason, the date on the passport stamp and the duration of your status can differ, and it is the I-94 that governs how long you may stay.

• The visa stamp authorizes you to seek admission, within the approved validity period.
• The I-94 defines the time you may actually remain.
• The Notice of Action (I-797) and the I-94 should be reviewed at each entry or renewal.

To learn about the validity and renewal limits that apply to your case, check updated information with USCIS and, when in doubt, consult a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.