What is the difference between a “visa” and an “I-94”?
A visa is like a permit allowing a person from one country to travel to another country. The visa is issued by a consulate or embassy of the host country where you plan to visit. The visa is stamped on the passport and allows the person to enter the country that he/she wishes to visit. Presentation of a valid passport and visa to a border officer (at a land, sea or airport) is much like knocking on someones door and asking for permission to enter. So, for example, if you are from India and would like to visit the USA as a non-immigrant, you will need to go to a U.S. consulate in India and obtain a visa. If approved, the visa will be stamped on your Indian passport. You may then present yourself, along with both the visa and passport to the border agent at your port of entry into the USA. Visas for travel to the USA are NOT obtained from within the USA, except within a very limited circumstance called visa revalidation. You must obtain a visa at one of the many US consulates or embassie
