I often hear these four words: visa, I-94, approval notice, status, used interchangeably. It’s important to understand the difference, especially when you’re figuring out how long you’re actually allowed to stay. Let's untangle them.
Your Visa Is a Travel Document.
The visa is the stamp in your passport, issued by a U.S. consulate abroad. It lets you travel to a port of entry and ask to be let in... that's it. Think of it like an entry ticket. The visa's dates are about your ability to travel and seek entry, not your authorized period of stay. Once a CBP officer admits you, the visa's job is basically done.
The I-94 Is What Actually Controls Your Stay
The I-94, the Arrival/Departure Record, is issued by CBP the moment you're admitted, and it's the document that sets your authorized period of stay. The officer records your classification (H-1B, F-1, B-2, whatever applies) and an admitted-until date that doesn't have to match your visa's expiration date. F-1 and J-1 students currently get "D/S" (duration of status) instead of a fixed date. Check your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov every time you enter, and when you want to know how long you can legally stay.
Your Approval Notice (I-797) Documents USCIS's Decision
If you extend or change status from inside the U.S., maybe through an H-1B extension, for example, USCIS sends a Form I-797, Notice of Action.
An I-797A, issued when USCIS approves a status change or extension for someone already here, comes with a brand-new I-94 printed right at the bottom... that becomes your current I-94 record, and that date supersedes your CBP I-94 until you travel and re-enter.
An I-797B, by contrast, means that the petition was approved, but not an extension of authorized stay in the US. This means you need a new visa stamp from a consulate first. It has no I-94 attached and doesn't by itself authorize work or an extended stay.
So What Is "Status," Really?
"Status" is the legal category you're in (H-1B, F-1, H-4, etc.) for the period your I-94 says you're authorized to be here. Your visa got you admitted, Your I-94, original or the one attached to an I-797A, tells you how long that status lasts.
Mixing these up is super common, and it’s how people can easily overstay thinking their visa "is still good," when it was never the document that actually dictated their stay.
It’s also important to note that if you travel internationally after an I-797A, that printed I-94 gets replaced by a new electronic one on re-entry, and CBP can admit you for a different period than your petition says. Always re-check your I-94 after every trip.
Connect by InHouse Core exists for exactly this kind of thing: it tracks the dates that actually matter for your case and flags status-relevant changes, so you're not left guessing which document in your file is the one that counts.
TLDR
Your visa gets you to the border and gives you the ability to seek entry; it doesn't control how long you can stay.
Your I-94 is the actual clock: check it at i94.cbp.dhs.gov, not your visa stamp.
An I-797A approval notice (for in-U.S. extensions/changes) comes with a new I-94 attached — that becomes your current record.
An I-797B has no I-94 attached and means you likely need a new visa stamp before your new status can start.
Status is your legal category for however long your current I-94 says you're authorized to be here.
Re-check your I-94 every time you travel internationally, it can have a different date that your visa or approval, and it is important to catch inconsistencies as quickly as possible!
Be sure to check out InHouse Core’s glossary for any terms you may be mixing up.
This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult a licensed immigration attorney.
