What does "overstay" refer to in immigration?

Overstay refers specifically to the act of remaining in the United States beyond the expiration date of one's visa. This situation occurs when a visa holder fails to depart the country before their authorized stay ends, which can have various legal implications, such as being barred from re-entering the U.S. for a certain period.

Understanding overstays is critical in immigration practice because it affects someone's immigration status, eligibility for future visas, and the possibility of removal proceedings.

In contrast, remaining in the U.S. for a job, extending a visa before it expires, or traveling outside the U.S. during a visa term do not encompass the concept of overstaying, as they either occur within the bounds of visa regulations or involve activities that maintain lawful status.