How does overstaying a visa affect an individual's immigration status?

Overstaying a visa significantly impacts an individual's immigration status. When someone remains in the United States beyond the period authorized by their visa, they start accruing unlawful presence. This period of unlawful presence can lead to serious consequences, including making the individual ineligible to apply for certain types of visas in the future. Specifically, if someone overstays for more than 180 days but less than one year, they could face a three-year ban from re-entering the U.S. If the overstay exceeds one year, this ban extends to ten years. Furthermore, individuals in this situation may also become subject to removal proceedings, as their overstayed visa can be considered a violation of U.S. immigration law.

The potential ineligibility for future visa applications and the risk of removal are direct consequences of an overstay, which underscores the importance of maintaining legal immigration status at all times.