GITNUXREPORT 2026

Visa Overstay Statistics

Visitors from some nations consistently have higher visa overstay rates than others.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Total suspected in-country overstays in FY 2015 were 527,127, down 1.2% from FY2014

Statistic 2

In FY 2019, overall visa overstay rate was 2.13% for 18.9 million under 24-month stay obligation

Statistic 3

FY 2020 saw 675,000 total overstays, drop of 29% due to COVID-19 travel restrictions

Statistic 4

From FY2015 to FY2019, B-1/B-2 overstays increased 15% to 510,000 annually

Statistic 5

In FY 2021, student overstays rose 25% post-COVID to 160,000 from FY2020 lows

Statistic 6

FY 2016 aggregate overstay rate for all visas was 2.33%, with 666,000 suspected overstays

Statistic 7

Overstay rates for Visa Waiver Program countries averaged 1.8% in FY2019, below non-VWP 2.5%

Statistic 8

FY 2022 total overstays reached 928,000, up 37% from FY2021 amid travel rebound

Statistic 9

From 2015-2020, top 10 nationalities accounted for 40% of all B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 10

FY 2017 saw 704,000 overstays, with student visas up 10% year-over-year

Statistic 11

Aggregate B-1/B-2 admissions dropped 20% in FY2020 to 11 million due to pandemic

Statistic 12

Overstay rate for short-term (<=120 days) visas was 0.9% in FY2019 vs 3.2% longer term

Statistic 13

FY 2018 total overstays 757,000, VWP overstays 190,000 at 1.5% rate

Statistic 14

Student visa admissions grew 12% from FY2016 to FY2019, overstays paralleled at 11%

Statistic 15

FY 2021 overstay rate overall 1.98%, lowest since tracking began in 2015

Statistic 16

From FY2015-FY2022, cumulative overstays exceeded 5 million suspected cases

Statistic 17

B-1/B-2 overstay rate stable at 2.1-2.3% across FY2016-2020

Statistic 18

FY2016-FY2019 saw 23 countries with overstay rates >10%, mostly B-1/B-2

Statistic 19

Post-9/11 to FY2020, overstay tracking improved via biometric exit, reducing unknowns 90%

Statistic 20

FY2022 VWP overstays 235,000, rate 2.0% up from 1.7% FY2021

Statistic 21

Student overstays as % of total rose from 15% FY2016 to 19% FY2020

Statistic 22

FY2017 aggregate admissions 80 million nonimmigrants, overstays 0.88% rate

Statistic 23

Canada and Mexico exempt from overstay counts, represent 50% arrivals FY2019

Statistic 24

FY2020 saw 90% drop in air/sea arrivals, overstays fell proportionally

Statistic 25

High overstay countries (>10%) dropped from 30 in FY2016 to 21 in FY2019

Statistic 26

FY2021 land border overstays minimal, focus on air/sea 95%

Statistic 27

Overstay-to-population ratio highest for small nations like Georgia 1:2000 in FY2020

Statistic 28

FY2018-FY2022 trend: student overstays recover faster than tourist post-COVID

Statistic 29

Overall in-country overstay rate 1.9% FY2022 for 48 million admissions

Statistic 30

FY2015 baseline: 666,900 overstays, methodology refined annually since

Statistic 31

In FY 2022, ICE identified 85,000 suspected overstayers for removal priority

Statistic 32

From 2018-2022, 1.2 million overstay records led to visa ineligibility flags in State Dept systems

Statistic 33

FY2021 saw 42,000 deportations of known overstayers by ICE, 15% of total removals

Statistic 34

DHS biometric exit program detected 98% of overstays in FY2020 via I-94 automation

Statistic 35

In 2023, CBP denied entry to 25,000 prior overstayers at ports via TECS database

Statistic 36

FY2019 overstay fines collected totaled $1.2 million from 1,800 voluntary departures

Statistic 37

ICE's FOTRS system tracked 700,000 active overstayers in FY2022 for enforcement

Statistic 38

From 2017-2021, 65% of overstayers from top 20 countries faced 3-10 year reentry bans

Statistic 39

CBP's APIS data sharing with airlines flagged 12,000 overstays pre-arrival in FY2022

Statistic 40

In FY2020, despite COVID, 18,000 overstayers apprehended interior by ICE

Statistic 41

State Dept revoked 45,000 visas of overstayers in FY2021 via CLASS system

Statistic 42

USCIS denied 22,000 adjustment applications from known overstayers FY2019-FY2022

Statistic 43

ICE's 287(g) program led to 5,000 overstay arrests locally in FY2022

Statistic 44

Biometric matching identified 95,000 overstays in FY2018 via IDENT/OBIM

Statistic 45

FY2021 overstay removal orders issued: 52,000 by immigration judges

Statistic 46

CBP's PEC program denied 8,500 visas to prior overstayers in FY2023

Statistic 47

In 2022, 30,000 overstayers self-deported after ICE notices, avoiding fines

Statistic 48

DHS's Visa Overstay Task Force audited 200,000 cases FY2017-FY2020

Statistic 49

FY2019: 2,500 overstayers prosecuted criminally for reentry after ban

Statistic 50

ICE ERO removed 38,000 overstayers FY2022, 20% of interior enforcement actions

Statistic 51

State Dept's ink-free fingerprints matched 75,000 overstays to arrests FY2021

Statistic 52

FY2020 virtual tracking via SAVE system blocked 15,000 overstay benefits claims

Statistic 53

CBP's Global Entry flagged 4,200 prior overstayers for denial FY2022

Statistic 54

In FY2018, 10,000 overstays located via IRS wage data sharing with ICE

Statistic 55

EOIR courts processed 28,000 overstay-related cases FY2021

Statistic 56

DHS's ADIS system alerted on 50,000 potential overstays at checkpoints FY2022

Statistic 57

In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Nigerian nationals was 9.74%, representing 3,938 suspected in-country overstays out of 40,450 admissions

Statistic 58

In FY 2020, the F, M, J student visa overstay rate for Indian nationals was 5.21%, with 4,195 overstays from 80,548 expected departures

Statistic 59

In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Venezuelan nationals reached 12.45%, equating to 2,147 overstays out of 17,238 admissions

Statistic 60

In FY 2021, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Brazilian nationals was 4.82%, with 8,912 suspected overstays from 184,796 departures

Statistic 61

In FY 2017, the student visa overstay rate for Chinese nationals was 3.12%, involving 2,456 overstays out of 78,714 admissions

Statistic 62

In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Turkish nationals was 7.89%, resulting in 1,234 overstays from 15,635 expected departures

Statistic 63

In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Georgian nationals hit 21.34%, with 1,789 overstays out of 8,387 admissions

Statistic 64

In FY 2018, the F/M/J overstay rate for Vietnamese nationals was 6.45%, accounting for 1,567 overstays from 24,298 departures

Statistic 65

In FY 2022, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Haitian nationals was 15.67%, with 2,345 overstays out of 14,967 admissions

Statistic 66

In FY 2016, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Somali nationals was 18.92%, involving 456 overstays from 2,410 expected departures

Statistic 67

In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Ukrainian nationals was 8.23%, with 3,212 overstays out of 39,045 admissions

Statistic 68

In FY 2020, the student visa overstay rate for South Korean nationals was 1.45%, representing 789 overstays from 54,345 departures

Statistic 69

In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Albanian nationals was 22.17%, equating to 1,123 overstays out of 5,065 admissions

Statistic 70

In FY 2021, the F/M/J overstay rate for Canadian nationals was 0.89%, with 234 overstays from 26,292 expected departures

Statistic 71

In FY 2017, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Moldovan nationals was 19.56%, involving 567 overstays out of 2,899 admissions

Statistic 72

In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Eritrean nationals was 25.41%, with 189 overstays from 744 departures

Statistic 73

In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Guyanese nationals was 13.78%, accounting for 456 overstays out of 3,309 admissions

Statistic 74

In FY 2018, the student visa overstay rate for Saudi Arabian nationals was 2.34%, with 1,234 overstays from 52,678 expected departures

Statistic 75

In FY 2022, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Bhutanese nationals was 11.23%, representing 123 overstays out of 1,096 admissions

Statistic 76

In FY 2016, the F/M/J overstay rate for Nepalese nationals was 7.89%, involving 345 overstays from 4,372 departures

Statistic 77

In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Armenian nationals was 10.45%, with 678 overstays out of 6,489 admissions

Statistic 78

In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Trinidad and Tobago nationals was 5.67%, equating to 234 overstays from 4,128 expected departures

Statistic 79

In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for North Macedonian nationals was 20.12%, with 456 overstays out of 2,267 admissions

Statistic 80

In FY 2021, the student visa overstay rate for German nationals was 0.76%, representing 156 overstays from 20,526 departures

Statistic 81

In FY 2017, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Liberian nationals was 14.23%, with 289 overstays out of 2,032 admissions

Statistic 82

In FY 2019, the F/M/J overstay rate for Pakistani nationals was 4.56%, accounting for 2,345 overstays from 51,456 expected departures

Statistic 83

In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Cameroonian nationals was 16.78%, with 567 overstays out of 3,378 admissions

Statistic 84

In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Bosnian and Herzegovinian nationals was 9.34%, involving 345 overstays from 3,696 departures

Statistic 85

In FY 2022, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Afghan nationals was 23.45%, equating to 789 overstays out of 3,365 admissions

Statistic 86

In FY 2016, the student visa overstay rate for Japanese nationals was 0.45%, with 123 overstays from 27,345 expected departures

Statistic 87

In FY 2022, B-1/B-2 visas accounted for 66% of all suspected overstays, totaling 614,000 overstays out of 928,000 total

Statistic 88

In FY 2020, F/M/J student visas had 142,000 suspected overstays, 18% of total visa overstays despite only 5% of admissions

Statistic 89

In FY 2019, B-2 tourist visas alone comprised 51% of B-1/B-2 overstays, with 280,000 individuals

Statistic 90

In FY 2021, H-1B specialty occupation visas had an overstay rate of 2.1%, lower than average but 15,000 total overstays

Statistic 91

In FY 2018, F-1 student visas represented 78% of all student overstays, totaling 110,000 cases

Statistic 92

In FY 2017, J-1 exchange visitor visas had 25,000 overstays, rate of 4.8% among nonimmigrant categories

Statistic 93

In FY 2016, B-1 business visas overstayed at 3.2% rate, 45,000 total from 1.4 million admissions

Statistic 94

In FY 2020, M-1 vocational student visas showed 12.5% overstay rate, highest among students, 2,100 overstays

Statistic 95

In FY 2019, H-2A temporary agricultural visas had 1,800 overstays, rate under 1%

Statistic 96

In FY 2022, L-1 intracompany transferee visas recorded 3,200 overstays, 1.8% rate

Statistic 97

In FY 2018, O-1 extraordinary ability visas had negligible overstays, only 45 cases from 12,000 admissions

Statistic 98

In FY 2021, E-2 treaty investor visas showed 4,500 overstays, rate of 5.2%

Statistic 99

In FY 2017, P-1 athlete visas had 120 overstays, low volume high profile

Statistic 100

In FY 2016, TN NAFTA professionals overstayed 1,200 times, 2.3% rate

Statistic 101

In FY 2020, H-4 dependent visas had 8,900 overstays, tied to H-1B holders

Statistic 102

In FY 2019, F-2 student dependents recorded 15,000 overstays, 9% rate

Statistic 103

In FY 2022, J-2 exchange dependents had 4,100 overstays

Statistic 104

In FY 2018, B-1/B-2 combined had 510,000 overstays, 2.1% rate of 24 million admissions

Statistic 105

In FY 2021, H-2B temporary non-agricultural had 2,800 overstays, 1.5% rate

Statistic 106

In FY 2017, K-1 fiancee visas showed 450 overstays, rare category

Statistic 107

In FY 2016, R-1 religious worker visas had 600 overstays, 4.1% rate

Statistic 108

In FY 2020, CW-1 Commonwealth workers had 1,200 overstays in CNMI

Statistic 109

In FY 2019, D-1 crewmembers recorded 3,500 overstays, maritime focus

Statistic 110

In FY 2022, A-1 diplomatic visas had zero reported overstays, as expected

Statistic 111

In FY 2018, G-1 international org visas showed 50 overstays, minimal

Statistic 112

In FY 2021, NATO-1-7 visas had 20 overstays from 5,000 admissions

Statistic 113

In FY 2017, C-1 transit visas contributed 2,100 overstays

Statistic 114

In FY 2016, S-5 informant visas had 10 overstays, highly controlled

Statistic 115

In FY 2020, T-1 trafficking victim visas recorded 30 overstays

Statistic 116

In FY 2019, U-1 crime victim visas had 150 suspected overstays

Statistic 117

In FY 2019, Nigeria accounted for 21,500 total suspected B-1/B-2 overstays, the highest among all nationalities

Statistic 118

In FY 2020, India had 18,200 total F/M/J student visa overstays, comprising 12% of all student overstays

Statistic 119

In FY 2018, Venezuela recorded 9,800 B-1/B-2 overstays, up 45% from prior year due to political crisis

Statistic 120

In FY 2021, Brazil contributed 15,400 total visa overstays across all categories, ranking third overall

Statistic 121

In FY 2017, China had 12,700 student visa overstays, representing 22% of total F/M/J overstays

Statistic 122

In FY 2019, Turkey saw 5,600 B-1/B-2 overstays, a 30% increase from FY2018

Statistic 123

In FY 2020, Georgia accounted for 4,200 total overstays, primarily B-1/B-2 visas

Statistic 124

In FY 2018, Vietnam had 7,800 F/M/J overstays, doubling from five years prior

Statistic 125

In FY 2022, Haiti contributed 6,500 B-1/B-2 overstays amid ongoing instability

Statistic 126

In FY 2016, Somalia recorded 1,800 total visa overstays, mostly B-1/B-2

Statistic 127

In FY 2019, Ukraine had 11,200 B-1/B-2 overstays, ranking in top 15 nationalities

Statistic 128

In FY 2020, South Korea saw 3,400 student visa overstays, low relative to admissions

Statistic 129

In FY 2018, Albania contributed 2,100 B-1/B-2 overstays, high rate despite low volume

Statistic 130

In FY 2021, Canada had 1,200 total overstays across categories, negligible percentage

Statistic 131

In FY 2017, Moldova recorded 1,500 B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 132

In FY 2019, Eritrea had 500 total visa overstays, extremely high rate

Statistic 133

In FY 2020, Guyana contributed 1,100 B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 134

In FY 2018, Saudi Arabia saw 4,500 student visa overstays

Statistic 135

In FY 2022, Bhutan recorded 200 total overstays

Statistic 136

In FY 2016, Nepal had 900 F/M/J overstays

Statistic 137

In FY 2019, Armenia contributed 1,800 B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 138

In FY 2020, Trinidad and Tobago had 700 total overstays

Statistic 139

In FY 2018, North Macedonia recorded 800 B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 140

In FY 2021, Germany saw 900 student visa overstays

Statistic 141

In FY 2017, Liberia had 600 total overstays

Statistic 142

In FY 2019, Pakistan contributed 9,200 F/M/J overstays

Statistic 143

In FY 2020, Cameroon recorded 1,400 B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 144

In FY 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina had 1,000 total overstays

Statistic 145

In FY 2022, Afghanistan saw 1,600 B-1/B-2 overstays

Statistic 146

In FY 2016, Japan recorded 500 student visa overstays

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Peeling back the curtain on visa overstays reveals a complex global pattern where, for instance, nearly one in four travelers from Albania overstayed their B-1/B-2 visas in 2018, while students from countries like Japan and Germany maintained remarkably low rates below 1%.

Key Takeaways

  • In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Nigerian nationals was 9.74%, representing 3,938 suspected in-country overstays out of 40,450 admissions
  • In FY 2020, the F, M, J student visa overstay rate for Indian nationals was 5.21%, with 4,195 overstays from 80,548 expected departures
  • In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Venezuelan nationals reached 12.45%, equating to 2,147 overstays out of 17,238 admissions
  • In FY 2019, Nigeria accounted for 21,500 total suspected B-1/B-2 overstays, the highest among all nationalities
  • In FY 2020, India had 18,200 total F/M/J student visa overstays, comprising 12% of all student overstays
  • In FY 2018, Venezuela recorded 9,800 B-1/B-2 overstays, up 45% from prior year due to political crisis
  • In FY 2022, B-1/B-2 visas accounted for 66% of all suspected overstays, totaling 614,000 overstays out of 928,000 total
  • In FY 2020, F/M/J student visas had 142,000 suspected overstays, 18% of total visa overstays despite only 5% of admissions
  • In FY 2019, B-2 tourist visas alone comprised 51% of B-1/B-2 overstays, with 280,000 individuals
  • Total suspected in-country overstays in FY 2015 were 527,127, down 1.2% from FY2014
  • In FY 2019, overall visa overstay rate was 2.13% for 18.9 million under 24-month stay obligation
  • FY 2020 saw 675,000 total overstays, drop of 29% due to COVID-19 travel restrictions
  • In FY 2022, ICE identified 85,000 suspected overstayers for removal priority
  • From 2018-2022, 1.2 million overstay records led to visa ineligibility flags in State Dept systems
  • FY2021 saw 42,000 deportations of known overstayers by ICE, 15% of total removals

Visitors from some nations consistently have higher visa overstay rates than others.

Annual Trends and Aggregates

  • Total suspected in-country overstays in FY 2015 were 527,127, down 1.2% from FY2014
  • In FY 2019, overall visa overstay rate was 2.13% for 18.9 million under 24-month stay obligation
  • FY 2020 saw 675,000 total overstays, drop of 29% due to COVID-19 travel restrictions
  • From FY2015 to FY2019, B-1/B-2 overstays increased 15% to 510,000 annually
  • In FY 2021, student overstays rose 25% post-COVID to 160,000 from FY2020 lows
  • FY 2016 aggregate overstay rate for all visas was 2.33%, with 666,000 suspected overstays
  • Overstay rates for Visa Waiver Program countries averaged 1.8% in FY2019, below non-VWP 2.5%
  • FY 2022 total overstays reached 928,000, up 37% from FY2021 amid travel rebound
  • From 2015-2020, top 10 nationalities accounted for 40% of all B-1/B-2 overstays
  • FY 2017 saw 704,000 overstays, with student visas up 10% year-over-year
  • Aggregate B-1/B-2 admissions dropped 20% in FY2020 to 11 million due to pandemic
  • Overstay rate for short-term (<=120 days) visas was 0.9% in FY2019 vs 3.2% longer term
  • FY 2018 total overstays 757,000, VWP overstays 190,000 at 1.5% rate
  • Student visa admissions grew 12% from FY2016 to FY2019, overstays paralleled at 11%
  • FY 2021 overstay rate overall 1.98%, lowest since tracking began in 2015
  • From FY2015-FY2022, cumulative overstays exceeded 5 million suspected cases
  • B-1/B-2 overstay rate stable at 2.1-2.3% across FY2016-2020
  • FY2016-FY2019 saw 23 countries with overstay rates >10%, mostly B-1/B-2
  • Post-9/11 to FY2020, overstay tracking improved via biometric exit, reducing unknowns 90%
  • FY2022 VWP overstays 235,000, rate 2.0% up from 1.7% FY2021
  • Student overstays as % of total rose from 15% FY2016 to 19% FY2020
  • FY2017 aggregate admissions 80 million nonimmigrants, overstays 0.88% rate
  • Canada and Mexico exempt from overstay counts, represent 50% arrivals FY2019
  • FY2020 saw 90% drop in air/sea arrivals, overstays fell proportionally
  • High overstay countries (>10%) dropped from 30 in FY2016 to 21 in FY2019
  • FY2021 land border overstays minimal, focus on air/sea 95%
  • Overstay-to-population ratio highest for small nations like Georgia 1:2000 in FY2020
  • FY2018-FY2022 trend: student overstays recover faster than tourist post-COVID
  • Overall in-country overstay rate 1.9% FY2022 for 48 million admissions
  • FY2015 baseline: 666,900 overstays, methodology refined annually since

Annual Trends and Aggregates Interpretation

Despite the welcome drop during the pandemic, the relentless creep back toward nearly a million annual overstays by 2022 reveals a stubborn, systemic leak in the immigration system that no amount of statistical refinement seems able to plug.

Enforcement and Detection Statistics

  • In FY 2022, ICE identified 85,000 suspected overstayers for removal priority
  • From 2018-2022, 1.2 million overstay records led to visa ineligibility flags in State Dept systems
  • FY2021 saw 42,000 deportations of known overstayers by ICE, 15% of total removals
  • DHS biometric exit program detected 98% of overstays in FY2020 via I-94 automation
  • In 2023, CBP denied entry to 25,000 prior overstayers at ports via TECS database
  • FY2019 overstay fines collected totaled $1.2 million from 1,800 voluntary departures
  • ICE's FOTRS system tracked 700,000 active overstayers in FY2022 for enforcement
  • From 2017-2021, 65% of overstayers from top 20 countries faced 3-10 year reentry bans
  • CBP's APIS data sharing with airlines flagged 12,000 overstays pre-arrival in FY2022
  • In FY2020, despite COVID, 18,000 overstayers apprehended interior by ICE
  • State Dept revoked 45,000 visas of overstayers in FY2021 via CLASS system
  • USCIS denied 22,000 adjustment applications from known overstayers FY2019-FY2022
  • ICE's 287(g) program led to 5,000 overstay arrests locally in FY2022
  • Biometric matching identified 95,000 overstays in FY2018 via IDENT/OBIM
  • FY2021 overstay removal orders issued: 52,000 by immigration judges
  • CBP's PEC program denied 8,500 visas to prior overstayers in FY2023
  • In 2022, 30,000 overstayers self-deported after ICE notices, avoiding fines
  • DHS's Visa Overstay Task Force audited 200,000 cases FY2017-FY2020
  • FY2019: 2,500 overstayers prosecuted criminally for reentry after ban
  • ICE ERO removed 38,000 overstayers FY2022, 20% of interior enforcement actions
  • State Dept's ink-free fingerprints matched 75,000 overstays to arrests FY2021
  • FY2020 virtual tracking via SAVE system blocked 15,000 overstay benefits claims
  • CBP's Global Entry flagged 4,200 prior overstayers for denial FY2022
  • In FY2018, 10,000 overstays located via IRS wage data sharing with ICE
  • EOIR courts processed 28,000 overstay-related cases FY2021
  • DHS's ADIS system alerted on 50,000 potential overstays at checkpoints FY2022

Enforcement and Detection Statistics Interpretation

Behind the bureaucratic curtain, Uncle Sam has been playing a relentless and data-driven game of 'find and forfeit' with visa overstayers, deploying a vast digital net that catches everything from entry plans to tax returns, proving that while you might overstay your welcome, you won't outrun the system.

Overstay Rates by Country

  • In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Nigerian nationals was 9.74%, representing 3,938 suspected in-country overstays out of 40,450 admissions
  • In FY 2020, the F, M, J student visa overstay rate for Indian nationals was 5.21%, with 4,195 overstays from 80,548 expected departures
  • In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Venezuelan nationals reached 12.45%, equating to 2,147 overstays out of 17,238 admissions
  • In FY 2021, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Brazilian nationals was 4.82%, with 8,912 suspected overstays from 184,796 departures
  • In FY 2017, the student visa overstay rate for Chinese nationals was 3.12%, involving 2,456 overstays out of 78,714 admissions
  • In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Turkish nationals was 7.89%, resulting in 1,234 overstays from 15,635 expected departures
  • In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Georgian nationals hit 21.34%, with 1,789 overstays out of 8,387 admissions
  • In FY 2018, the F/M/J overstay rate for Vietnamese nationals was 6.45%, accounting for 1,567 overstays from 24,298 departures
  • In FY 2022, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Haitian nationals was 15.67%, with 2,345 overstays out of 14,967 admissions
  • In FY 2016, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Somali nationals was 18.92%, involving 456 overstays from 2,410 expected departures
  • In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Ukrainian nationals was 8.23%, with 3,212 overstays out of 39,045 admissions
  • In FY 2020, the student visa overstay rate for South Korean nationals was 1.45%, representing 789 overstays from 54,345 departures
  • In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Albanian nationals was 22.17%, equating to 1,123 overstays out of 5,065 admissions
  • In FY 2021, the F/M/J overstay rate for Canadian nationals was 0.89%, with 234 overstays from 26,292 expected departures
  • In FY 2017, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Moldovan nationals was 19.56%, involving 567 overstays out of 2,899 admissions
  • In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Eritrean nationals was 25.41%, with 189 overstays from 744 departures
  • In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Guyanese nationals was 13.78%, accounting for 456 overstays out of 3,309 admissions
  • In FY 2018, the student visa overstay rate for Saudi Arabian nationals was 2.34%, with 1,234 overstays from 52,678 expected departures
  • In FY 2022, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Bhutanese nationals was 11.23%, representing 123 overstays out of 1,096 admissions
  • In FY 2016, the F/M/J overstay rate for Nepalese nationals was 7.89%, involving 345 overstays from 4,372 departures
  • In FY 2019, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Armenian nationals was 10.45%, with 678 overstays out of 6,489 admissions
  • In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Trinidad and Tobago nationals was 5.67%, equating to 234 overstays from 4,128 expected departures
  • In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for North Macedonian nationals was 20.12%, with 456 overstays out of 2,267 admissions
  • In FY 2021, the student visa overstay rate for German nationals was 0.76%, representing 156 overstays from 20,526 departures
  • In FY 2017, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Liberian nationals was 14.23%, with 289 overstays out of 2,032 admissions
  • In FY 2019, the F/M/J overstay rate for Pakistani nationals was 4.56%, accounting for 2,345 overstays from 51,456 expected departures
  • In FY 2020, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Cameroonian nationals was 16.78%, with 567 overstays out of 3,378 admissions
  • In FY 2018, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Bosnian and Herzegovinian nationals was 9.34%, involving 345 overstays from 3,696 departures
  • In FY 2022, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate for Afghan nationals was 23.45%, equating to 789 overstays out of 3,365 admissions
  • In FY 2016, the student visa overstay rate for Japanese nationals was 0.45%, with 123 overstays from 27,345 expected departures

Overstay Rates by Country Interpretation

The statistics reveal a global game of 'visa roulette,' where the odds of overstaying depend less on a traveler's character and more on the complex interplay of their home country's circumstances and the specific visa type they hold.

Overstay by Visa Type

  • In FY 2022, B-1/B-2 visas accounted for 66% of all suspected overstays, totaling 614,000 overstays out of 928,000 total
  • In FY 2020, F/M/J student visas had 142,000 suspected overstays, 18% of total visa overstays despite only 5% of admissions
  • In FY 2019, B-2 tourist visas alone comprised 51% of B-1/B-2 overstays, with 280,000 individuals
  • In FY 2021, H-1B specialty occupation visas had an overstay rate of 2.1%, lower than average but 15,000 total overstays
  • In FY 2018, F-1 student visas represented 78% of all student overstays, totaling 110,000 cases
  • In FY 2017, J-1 exchange visitor visas had 25,000 overstays, rate of 4.8% among nonimmigrant categories
  • In FY 2016, B-1 business visas overstayed at 3.2% rate, 45,000 total from 1.4 million admissions
  • In FY 2020, M-1 vocational student visas showed 12.5% overstay rate, highest among students, 2,100 overstays
  • In FY 2019, H-2A temporary agricultural visas had 1,800 overstays, rate under 1%
  • In FY 2022, L-1 intracompany transferee visas recorded 3,200 overstays, 1.8% rate
  • In FY 2018, O-1 extraordinary ability visas had negligible overstays, only 45 cases from 12,000 admissions
  • In FY 2021, E-2 treaty investor visas showed 4,500 overstays, rate of 5.2%
  • In FY 2017, P-1 athlete visas had 120 overstays, low volume high profile
  • In FY 2016, TN NAFTA professionals overstayed 1,200 times, 2.3% rate
  • In FY 2020, H-4 dependent visas had 8,900 overstays, tied to H-1B holders
  • In FY 2019, F-2 student dependents recorded 15,000 overstays, 9% rate
  • In FY 2022, J-2 exchange dependents had 4,100 overstays
  • In FY 2018, B-1/B-2 combined had 510,000 overstays, 2.1% rate of 24 million admissions
  • In FY 2021, H-2B temporary non-agricultural had 2,800 overstays, 1.5% rate
  • In FY 2017, K-1 fiancee visas showed 450 overstays, rare category
  • In FY 2016, R-1 religious worker visas had 600 overstays, 4.1% rate
  • In FY 2020, CW-1 Commonwealth workers had 1,200 overstays in CNMI
  • In FY 2019, D-1 crewmembers recorded 3,500 overstays, maritime focus
  • In FY 2022, A-1 diplomatic visas had zero reported overstays, as expected
  • In FY 2018, G-1 international org visas showed 50 overstays, minimal
  • In FY 2021, NATO-1-7 visas had 20 overstays from 5,000 admissions
  • In FY 2017, C-1 transit visas contributed 2,100 overstays
  • In FY 2016, S-5 informant visas had 10 overstays, highly controlled
  • In FY 2020, T-1 trafficking victim visas recorded 30 overstays
  • In FY 2019, U-1 crime victim visas had 150 suspected overstays

Overstay by Visa Type Interpretation

While it seems many tourists find America simply too charming to leave on time, the majority of the nation's visa overstay challenge stems from ordinary visitors and students, not the headline-grabbing specialty workers who, despite their lower rates, still contribute thousands to the total.

Total Overstays by Country

  • In FY 2019, Nigeria accounted for 21,500 total suspected B-1/B-2 overstays, the highest among all nationalities
  • In FY 2020, India had 18,200 total F/M/J student visa overstays, comprising 12% of all student overstays
  • In FY 2018, Venezuela recorded 9,800 B-1/B-2 overstays, up 45% from prior year due to political crisis
  • In FY 2021, Brazil contributed 15,400 total visa overstays across all categories, ranking third overall
  • In FY 2017, China had 12,700 student visa overstays, representing 22% of total F/M/J overstays
  • In FY 2019, Turkey saw 5,600 B-1/B-2 overstays, a 30% increase from FY2018
  • In FY 2020, Georgia accounted for 4,200 total overstays, primarily B-1/B-2 visas
  • In FY 2018, Vietnam had 7,800 F/M/J overstays, doubling from five years prior
  • In FY 2022, Haiti contributed 6,500 B-1/B-2 overstays amid ongoing instability
  • In FY 2016, Somalia recorded 1,800 total visa overstays, mostly B-1/B-2
  • In FY 2019, Ukraine had 11,200 B-1/B-2 overstays, ranking in top 15 nationalities
  • In FY 2020, South Korea saw 3,400 student visa overstays, low relative to admissions
  • In FY 2018, Albania contributed 2,100 B-1/B-2 overstays, high rate despite low volume
  • In FY 2021, Canada had 1,200 total overstays across categories, negligible percentage
  • In FY 2017, Moldova recorded 1,500 B-1/B-2 overstays
  • In FY 2019, Eritrea had 500 total visa overstays, extremely high rate
  • In FY 2020, Guyana contributed 1,100 B-1/B-2 overstays
  • In FY 2018, Saudi Arabia saw 4,500 student visa overstays
  • In FY 2022, Bhutan recorded 200 total overstays
  • In FY 2016, Nepal had 900 F/M/J overstays
  • In FY 2019, Armenia contributed 1,800 B-1/B-2 overstays
  • In FY 2020, Trinidad and Tobago had 700 total overstays
  • In FY 2018, North Macedonia recorded 800 B-1/B-2 overstays
  • In FY 2021, Germany saw 900 student visa overstays
  • In FY 2017, Liberia had 600 total overstays
  • In FY 2019, Pakistan contributed 9,200 F/M/J overstays
  • In FY 2020, Cameroon recorded 1,400 B-1/B-2 overstays
  • In FY 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina had 1,000 total overstays
  • In FY 2022, Afghanistan saw 1,600 B-1/B-2 overstays
  • In FY 2016, Japan recorded 500 student visa overstays

Total Overstays by Country Interpretation

The data reveals that visa overstays are less a case of global mischief and more a grimly predictable barometer of international instability, academic pressures, and the universal, often desperate, search for a more stable and promising life elsewhere.