(Kaieteur News) – A B1/B2 visitor visa opens the door to the United States for vacations, family visits, and business trips, but using it well means understanding what “temporary” really means. Each time you travel, your visit should reflect its true purpose and reinforce the ties that bring you back home to Guyana. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we get about traveling responsibly on a visitor visa, from how long you are allowed to stay to what to do if an emergency changes your plans.

No. Your visa lets you request entry at a U.S. port of entry/airport; it’s the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer there who decides how long you may actually stay in the United States. Most visitors are authorized up to six months, but that’s a maximum. Your length of stay should simply match your reason for traveling.

Don’t worry, this is normal. CBP now issues most I-94 arrival/departure records electronically for travelers arriving by air or sea, so you may not receive a physical stamp in your passport showing your admission date and authorized stay.