
You may have done everything right to comply with the terms and conditions of your immigration status throughout your entire stay in the United States. But this may all be jeopardized if you stay for even one day extra over your allotted timeframe in the country. That is, you may get into serious trouble with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and soon after be up against the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With that being said, please follow along to find out the potential penalties for overstaying your visa and how a proficient Baltimore County, Maryland deportation defense lawyer at Sheri Hoidra Law Office, LLC can help you avoid them at all costs.
How do I know how long I can legally stay in the United States?
When you first approach a United States port of entry at an airport, seaport, or land border crossing, you may be met with a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Here, the officer may attach a small, white card to your passport. This is otherwise known as Form I-96, Arrival/Departure Record. This I-96 record may disclose your “admitted-until date,” which is the specific date you are expected to exit the country. Or, it may address your duration of stay, which allows you to remain in the country so long as you continually pursue your education, work with your qualified employer, or otherwise meet the terms and conditions of your specific visa type.
Please know that the date on your I-96 record is different from your visa’s expiration date. This is because your visa’s expiration date simply dictates the date on which you may no longer approach a port of entry seeking admittance into the country. With that in mind, it is okay if your visa’s expiration date passes when you are in the middle of your legal stay in the U.S.
What are the potential penalties for overstaying my visa?
If you stay in the United States longer than your I-96 record allots, the USCIS may view you as having an unlawful presence in the country. This may result in a slew of immigration and legal penalties alike. Examples of such potential penalties include the following:
- You may be subject to fines and/or criminal charges.
- You may be subject to removal proceedings with the USCIS.
- You may be barred from reentering the country for three years or up until permanently.
- You may experience serious complications with being granted a U.S. visa in the future.
- Your U.S. visa may be voided and you may have to reapply at your home country’s U.S. consulate.
There is no need to remain hesitant when you have a talented Baltimore County, Maryland deportation defense lawyer on your side and supporting you. So please inquire with us at Sheri Hoidra Law Office, LLC at your earliest possible opportunity.