Authorized stay meaning :

In a legal context, the term “authorized stay” refers to the period during which a non-citizen individual is legally permitted to remain in the United States while awaiting the outcome of their status regularization application. This allows them to stay in the country, even if they no longer have status or have begun to accumulate unlawful presence.

The duration of the authorized stay differs from the visa expiration date. Typically, a foreign national can stay on U.S. soil until the end date indicated on Form I-94. If you have filed a request with USCIS to extend this duration, you will receive an extension to await the outcome of your petition. This legal concept also applies to individuals awaiting adjustment of status or a green card.

The USA has a highly complex and strict immigration policy. Illegal presence within the territory can have serious consequences, including being barred from returning to the United States for 3 to 10 years. To avoid such a situation, it is important to understand the concept of authorized stay or seek assistance from a specialized immigration attorney in the United States.

Etymology of authorized stay

The term “authorized stay” has its roots in the Latin words “stare” and “authorizare,” which respectively mean “to stay” and “to authorize.” Overall, the combination of these words refers to the action of granting permission or authorization. This is why the term “authorized stay” is used to describe the legal period during which an individual is permitted to remain in a country.