Visa validity periods (Turkish citizens)

How long U.S. visas issued to Turkish citizens are valid and how many entries they permit varies by visa type. On this page, you will find the current validity periods, the most commonly confused issue (the difference between visa validity and length of stay in the United States), what happens to your visa when you change passports, and the consequences of overstaying.

• The visa shows an issue date and an expiration date. The period between these two dates is called visa validity.
• Visa validity is the period during which you may go to the U.S. border and request admission. It is not the period you may stay in the United States.
• If the "Entries" section of the visa shows "M," the visa permits multiple entries. You may request entry as many times as you wish during the visa's validity period.
• If it shows "1," it permits one entry only.
• You must use a multiple-entry visa for the same purpose each time.
• If your visa has not expired and you have not used all of your permitted entries, you do not need a new visa.

• B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 (business and tourism): multiple entry, 120 months (10 years)
• F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2 (students and their families): multiple entry, 60 months
• J-1, J-2 (exchange visitors and their families): multiple entry, 60 months
• H-1B, H-3, H-4: multiple entry, 60 months
• L-1, L-2: multiple entry, 60 months
• O-1, O-2, O-3 and P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4: multiple entry, 60 months
• R-1, R-2 (religious workers and their families): multiple entry, 60 months
• Q-1 (cultural exchange): multiple entry, 15 months
• E-1, E-2 (treaty traders and investors): multiple entry, 60 months. E-2C: 24 months.
• I (journalists): multiple entry, 60 months
• C-1 (transit), C-1/D, D (crew members): multiple entry, 60 months
• K-1, K-2 (fiancé(e) and child): single entry, 6 months
• K-3, K-4: multiple entry, 24 months
• U: multiple entry, 48 months
• Additional rules:
  • The validity period of H, O, P, and Q visas may not exceed the validity period of the approved petition. The shorter period applies.
  • Family visas H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 may not be valid longer than the principal applicant's visa.
• Turkish citizens are not charged a visa issuance (reciprocity) fee for any of these visas.
• The actual expiration date of your visa is written on the visa.

• At the time of entry to the United States, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer decides how long you may stay. This period is recorded in the electronic I-94 record or on the entry stamp.
• The date on the I-94 is the date by which you must leave the United States at the latest. You cannot calculate your period of stay based on the visa expiration date.
• Your visa may expire while you are in the United States. This is not a problem; you may remain until the end of the period shown on your I-94.
• B-1/B-2 visitors may be admitted for up to one year.
• B-2 visitors are generally admitted for at least six months, even if they request a shorter period. Exceptions may be made in individual cases.
• To extend your stay, you must apply to USCIS before your I-94 period expires. Extensions for B visitors are granted for periods of up to six months at a time. See 2.8 Change of status and extension of stay.
• You can view and print your I-94 record at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. It is useful to check the date after each entry.

• Those entering with student (F), exchange visitor (J), and journalist (I) visas are still generally admitted for "duration of status" (D/S). In this case, you may remain in the United States as long as you continue attending your school or remain in your program.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a rule on July 17, 2026, removing this admission practice. The rule was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
• The rule would have introduced the following:
  • For F and J, an admission period equal to the program period, up to four years
  • For I, a maximum of 240 days
  • Reduction of the period for F-1 students to leave the country after graduation or OPT from 60 days to 30 days
• The court halted the rule: On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts postponed the rule's effective date (Presidents' Alliance v. DHS, 26-cv-13799). DHS was prohibited from implementing the rule until the court issues a new decision or the case is resolved.
• Therefore, USCIS is currently processing cases under the previous rules. D/S admission and the 60-day departure period for F-1 students remain in effect.
• USCIS accepts the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765. It does not accept the 09/15/26 editions of these forms.
• DHS stated that it disagrees with the decision and will implement the rule if the decision is overturned. Check the official website for the latest information before applying and consult your school's international student office. See 2.2 Student visa and 2.3 Exchange visitor.

• If you stay beyond the period written on your I-94, your visa is generally automatically voided (INA 222(g)). The situation is different if you have a timely filed extension-of-stay or change-of-status application that has not yet been decided.
• A multiple-entry visa voided in this way cannot be used for subsequent entries. A new visa is required.
• Those who remain unlawfully in the United States for between 180 days and one year may not obtain a visa for 3 years after departure.
• Those who remain unlawfully for one year or longer may not obtain a visa for 10 years after departure.
• For details, see 2.9 Consequences of overstaying and unlawful presence.

• If your valid visa is in your old passport, which has expired, you do not need a new visa. If the visa is undamaged and suitable for your travel purpose, you may travel with both passports.
• Both passports must be passports of the same country.
• At the border, the officer checks the visa in the old passport. The entry stamp is placed in your new passport with the notation "VIOPP" (visa in other passport).
• Do not remove the visa from the old passport. A visa removed and affixed to a new passport becomes invalid.
• If your name changed through marriage, divorce, or a court order, you will obtain a new passport. The Department of State recommends obtaining a new visa in this situation to make travel easier.
• You must apply again for a damaged visa.
• For passport validity rules, see 1.10 Passports and documents.

• Even if your visa is still valid, you must repeat the entire application process for a new visa.
• Those renewing a full-validity B visa within 12 months after its expiration date may apply without an interview under certain conditions. For the conditions, see 1.6 Interview.

• The validity of an immigrant visa is limited by the validity of the medical examination.
• If the medical examination is classified as "No apparent disease or defect," it is valid for six months from the date the doctor signs it. If it is classified as "Class B1 (TB)," it is valid for three months.
• When you enter the United States as an immigrant, your medical examination must not be more than six months old.
• If you cannot use the visa within its validity period, and the petition has not been revoked and the basis for immigration (for example, a family relationship) continues, you apply again in Ankara: submit the DS-260 again, obtain a new medical examination, and pay the fee. See 3.9 Immigrant visa interview (Ankara).

• Assuming that a 10-year B visa is permission to stay in the United States for 10 years.
• Calculating the period of stay based on the visa expiration date.
• Failing to check the I-94 date.
• Removing the visa from the old passport and attaching it to the new passport.
• Forgetting that the K-1 visa permits only one entry.
• Filing an extension-of-stay application after the I-94 period has expired.
• Trying to use an immigrant visa after the medical examination has expired.

• My visa is valid for 10 years. Can I stay in the United States for 10 years? No. At each entry, the border officer determines how long you may stay and records it on the I-94.
• My visa expires while I am in the United States. Is that a problem? No. You may remain until the end of the period on your I-94. However, you need a valid visa for your next entry.
• I got a new passport, and my visa is in my old passport. What should I do? Carry both passports together. If the visa is valid and undamaged, you do not need a new visa.
• When must I enter the United States with my K-1 visa? The K-1 visa permits one entry and is valid for six months. You must marry within 90 days after entry.
• My student visa is valid for five years. Can I stay after my school ends? Visa validity does not grant a right to stay. Students are generally admitted for "duration of status" (D/S), meaning that you may stay as long as you continue attending school. You currently have 60 days to leave after graduation or the end of OPT. The rule reducing this period to 30 days was deferred by a court decision. Check the official website for the latest information.
• Where can I view my I-94? You can view and print it using your passport information at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

• Turkey reciprocity table (visa validity periods)
• I-94 record lookup (CBP)
• What does the visa expiration date mean?
• USCIS – Extend your stay
• Form I-539, extension of stay and change of status, 08/28/24 edition (PDF)
• Form I-539 instructions (PDF)
• USCIS – Form I-539 page and current announcements
• Fixed admission period rule for F, J, and I deferred by court decision (PDF)