U.S. immigration conversations often use “visa,” “status,” “I-94The Arrival/Departure Record that U.S. Customs and Border Protection creates when a nonimmigrant is admitted. It shows the class of admission and an Admit Until date, and most are now electronic and available on the CBP I-94 website. USCIS can also issue one when it approves an extension of stay or a change of status.See it in the glossary,” “green card,” and “citizenship” as if they mean the same thing. They do not. Each term describes a different part of a person’s relationship with the United States.
1. Visa
A visa is a travel document placed in a passport by a U.S. embassy or consulate. It lets a traveler ask to enter the United States at a port of entry for the purpose shown on the visa. A visa does not decide how long the person may stay. The State Department explains the basics in its visa information guide.
2. Status
Status is the immigration classification a person has while in the United States, such as B-2 visitor, F-1 student, or H-1B worker. Status is controlled by the admission terms and the period authorized by the Department of Homeland Security. A person can have valid status even when the visa stamp in the passport has expired, if the person remains within the authorized stay.
3. I-94
The I-94 is the electronic arrival and departure record that normally shows the class of admission and the date the authorized stay ends. Travelers should check their record through CBP’s I-94 website after entry. The I-94 date is usually the critical deadline for maintaining nonimmigrant status; the visa expiration date is usually the deadline for seeking entry.
4. Green card
A green card is evidence of lawful permanent resident status. Permanent residents may live and work permanently in the United States, subject to the rules for maintaining residence. USCIS explains residence obligations in its maintaining permanent residence guidance. A green card is not a passport and does not by itself make someone a U.S. citizen.
5. Citizenship
Citizenship is a legal membership in the United States. A citizen may vote in federal elections, use a U.S. passport, and generally cannot be removed from the country. Some people are citizens at birth; others naturalize after meeting requirements. USCIS’s citizenship overview describes the main routes.
Why the distinction matters
Confusing these terms can lead to missed deadlines or incorrect travel plans. Before filing or traveling, identify the document or record that controls your situation: the visa for seeking entry, the I-94 for the authorized stay, the green card for permanent residence, and a NaturalizationThe process by which a permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen, generally after three or five years of residence, by filing Form N-400.See it in the glossary or citizenship record for citizenship.