A visa is a physical document placed in your passport that allows you to seek entry into the United States for a specific purpose (such as tourism, study, or work). A status is your legal standing while you are in the U.S., granted at the time of entry or by USCIS. For example, you may have an F-1 visa but be in F-1 student status only while you follow the terms of your program inside the U.S.

Think of a visa as a key to enter the U.S., while status is your legal permission to stay once, you’re here. Your visa may expire while you are still legally in the U.S. if your status is valid. However, if your status expires, you are no longer lawfully present, even if your visa is still valid for future travel.

A visa is issued by a U.S. consulate and is used to request admission at a port of entry. Once admitted, you are given a specific nonimmigrant or immigrant status, which determines how long you can remain and what activities you can legally do (e.g., study, work). Your status can change inside the U.S. through a change or extension request with USCIS, but you would need a new visa if traveling outside and returning.