An intravenous catheter apparatus having a needle having a needle shaft, a needle tip at the distal end of the needle shaft and a needle hub mounted to the proximal end of the needle shaft, an intravenous catheter tube mounted to a catheter hub and a needle guard movable on the needle shaft. The needle guard having a base portion having a needle passage extending in an axial direction from a proximal side of the base portion through the base portion to a distal side of the base portion, first and second arms extending substantially in the axial direction from the distal side of the base portion and a distal wall which is transversely arranged at a distal region of the first arm. A recess is provided in the needle guard that receives a stopping element for stopping movement of the needle shaft relative to the needle guard.