The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) & the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Secure Your Entry & Departure

DHS US-VISIT Programm
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) US-VISIT Program tracks the entry and exit of foreign visitors by using electronically scanned fingerprints and photographs. US-VISIT currently applies to all visitors (with limited exemptions) holding non-immigrant visas, regardless of country of origin.  This system, which begins with the collection of non-immigrant visa applicants’ electronically scanned fingerprints in consular sections abroad and continues with DHS officers’ verifying such data at U.S. ports of entry and departure, will create a coordinated and interlocking network of border security for the U.S.  Click for more information on the DHS US-VISIT Program . 

More travel Information for visitors to the United States (for the purpose of working, studying, business travel or immigration) may be found on the web page of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

DHS Redress Center Launched in February 2007
U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) provides a single point of contact for travelers who have inquiries, or who seek resolution to the difficulties they experience during travel screening at U.S. Ports of Entry, including being denied or delayed boarding; denied or delayed entry into or exit from the United States; or continuous referral for additional screening. Detailed information on this program may be found at the DHS TRIP web page. 

DHS Officers Determine Alien’s Entry into the U.S., Duration of Stay & Extension of Stay
Entry: A visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States.  A visa is simply permission to apply for entry into the United States at the U.S. port of entry before the visa expires.  Persons with valid visas are subject to inspection at the port of entry by officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  DHS officers allow entry to the great majority of applicants with visas, but they also have the authority to deny admission.

Length of Stay: If entry permitted, the DHS official also decides how long a visitor can stay in the U.S. for any particular visit. Upon entering the U.S., an immigration official places Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport.  In most cases, a specific date will be indicated on the Form I-94. This is the date by which you must leave the United States.  Please remember to return your I-94 card to the DHS officer upon departure from the United States. If you return home with your Form I-94 in your passport, it means that your departure from the United States was not recorded properly and DHS may conclude you remained in the United States. Please click here(PDF - 130kb) to see how to return your I-94 and correct this record. 

Extension of Stay: Non-immigrants wishing to request extensions of stay in the U.S. should file a petition at the DHS Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services well in advance before the date they must depart the U.S. If request approved, they may stay in the U.S. within the period of the extension granted by USCIS. If request denied, they must depart the U.S. before the date given on their I-94 cards. Failure to depart the U.S. within the authorized duration of stay or within the authorized extension of stay may cause future visa denial.