Form I-94: The Ultimate Guide to Your U.S. Arrival/Departure Record

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This article provides general, informational content for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional legal advice from a qualified attorney. Always consult with a lawyer for guidance on your specific legal situation.

Imagine your passport visa is like a movie ticket you buy in advance. It shows you have permission to *try* to enter the theater. However, it's the ticket taker at the door who rips your ticket, looks at it, and tells you which seat you can sit in and when the movie ends. Form I-94 is that final, authoritative ticket stub given to you by the U.S. government at the border. It's not the visa in your passport; it's the official record of your admission into the United States. It dictates the specific terms of your stay: what you're allowed to do (your “class of admission,” like being a tourist or student) and, most importantly, the exact date you must leave (your “admit until date”). In the digital age, this “ticket stub” is mostly electronic, but its power remains immense. Understanding your I-94 isn't just bureaucratic paperwork—it's the key to maintaining your lawful status and avoiding severe immigration consequences.

• Key Takeaways At-a-Glance:
  • The I-94 is Your Official Record of Admission: Your Form I-94 is the definitive proof issued by u.s._customs_and_border_protection that you have been legally admitted into the U.S., and it supersedes the expiration date on your visa.
  • It Controls Your Stay, Not Your Visa: The “Admit Until Date” on your Form I-94 is the most critical date for any nonimmigrant visitor; staying even one day past this date can result in an unlawful_presence violation.
  • Most I-94s are Now Electronic: For visitors arriving by air or sea, the Form I-94 is created electronically and must be retrieved from the CBP website; it is your responsibility to check it for accuracy immediately after you enter the U.S.

The concept of tracking the entry and exit of foreign nationals is as old as modern borders. For decades, the Form I-94 was a ubiquitous paper card, a small white rectangle stapled into the passports of millions of visitors. Anyone who traveled to the U.S. before 2013 likely remembers it well. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer would fill it out by hand or stamp it at the port_of_entry, creating a physical record of admission. The visitor was required to keep one portion of this card and surrender it upon departing the country, theoretically allowing the government to track who had left and, more importantly, who had not. This paper-based system was fraught with challenges. Cards were lost, departure records were often not collected, and the manual data entry process was inefficient and prone to errors. The rise of digital technology and post-9/11 security enhancements created an urgent need for a more robust, accurate, and immediate system. The turning point was the implementation of the electronic I-94 system. Starting in April 2013, u.s._customs_and_border_protection began to phase out the paper form for air and sea travelers. Instead of a physical card, CBP now creates an electronic record of admission using data already collected from airline and cruise ship manifests and from the traveler's documents at inspection. This shift to a digital record represents a monumental change, placing the responsibility on the traveler to proactively go online to retrieve, review, and print their own I-94 record. While this streamlined the process for the government, it created a new and often confusing requirement for visitors unfamiliar with the system.

The legal authority for tracking admissions and departures, and therefore for the existence of Form I-94, is rooted in the immigration_and_nationality_act (INA). Specifically, sections of the INA grant the Department of Homeland Security, and by extension its agency CBP, the power to inspect and admit non-citizens at the border.

• Section 214 of the INA (ina_section_214): This section governs the admission of nonimmigrants. It states that an “alien” (the legal term used in the statute for a non-citizen) may be admitted “for such time and under such conditions as the Attorney General [now the Secretary of Homeland Security] may by regulations prescribe.” The I-94 is the primary instrument used to document these “conditions” and the “time” of admission.
• Section 215 of the INA (ina_section_215): This section details the travel control of citizens and aliens, making it unlawful for an alien to depart from or enter the U.S. except under rules prescribed by the President. This provides the regulatory backbone for creating a departure record, which is the other half of the I-94's function.

The regulations that implement these statutes are found in the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 8 C.F.R. § 235.1. This regulation details the scope of inspection at ports of entry and explicitly describes the issuance of Form I-94 as the standard procedure for documenting a nonimmigrant's admission. The shift to an automated, electronic system is also authorized by these regulations, which give the agency flexibility in the *method* of documenting admission.

How you receive your I-94 depends entirely on how you enter the United States. The process is not uniform, and understanding the difference is critical to ensuring you have the correct documentation.

The I-94 record, whether a printout from the website or a historical paper card, contains several pieces of data. Each one is a critical component of your legal status in the United States. Mistaking one for another can have dire consequences.

This is a unique 11-digit number assigned to your specific entry into the U.S. Think of it as the serial number for this particular trip. You will get a new I-94 number each and every time you are admitted into the country. This number is used by various government agencies, including uscis and the Social Security Administration, to verify your legal status. When you file an application to extend or change your status (like form_i-539), this is the number you will be asked to provide.

• Real-World Example: Maria, a student from Brazil, goes home for winter break. When she returns to the U.S. in January, the CBP officer admits her and a new electronic I-94 is generated. This new I-94 has a completely different admission number than the one from her arrival in August. When she later applies for optional practical training, she must use the I-94 number from her most recent entry in January.

This one- or two-character code defines the *purpose* of your stay and what you are legally permitted to do. It corresponds to the visa category under which you were admitted. For example:

• B-2: Visitor for Pleasure (Tourist)
• B-1: Visitor for Business
• F-1: Academic Student
• H-1B: Specialty Occupation Worker
• L-1: Intracompany Transferee
• TN: NAFTA Professional (for Canadian/Mexican citizens)
• WT: Waiver Tourist (for VWP/ESTA entrants)

It is absolutely vital that the Class of Admission on your I-94 matches the visa in your passport and your intended activities. A mistake here can invalidate your status. If you enter with a B-2 tourist visa but your I-94 mistakenly says F-1, you have a serious problem that needs immediate correction.

This is, without a doubt, the single most important piece of information on your I-94. This date, and NOT the expiration date on your visa stamp, governs how long you are legally allowed to stay in the United States. Your visa can be valid for 10 years, but if your I-94 “Admit Until Date” is six months from your entry, you must depart by that date.

• Analogy: Think of your visa as a year-long gym membership card. It allows you to enter the gym anytime that year. The “Admit Until Date” is like the front desk attendant telling you, “You can use the facilities until 9 PM tonight.” You can't stay until midnight just because your membership is valid for a year. The specific instruction given upon entry overrides the general permission.

Overstaying this date, even by a single day, can make you ineligible for future visas and can start the clock on unlawful_presence, which has severe long-term consequences, including potential multi-year bars on re-entering the U.S.

For some classes of admission, primarily F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, the I-94 will not have a specific date. Instead, in the “Admit Until Date” field, it will say “D/S,” which stands for “Duration of Status.” This does not mean you can stay forever. It means you are authorized to remain in the U.S. as long as you continue to maintain your status. For an F-1 student, this means being enrolled full-time in a SEVIS-approved school and following all the rules of your F-1 status. Your legal stay is tied to your program's completion, as documented on your form_i-20. Once you complete your studies (plus any authorized grace period), your “Duration of Status” ends, and you must depart, change status, or start a new program. The same principle applies to J-1 visitors, whose status is tied to their form_ds-2019.

Facing the I-94 system can be intimidating, but it's a manageable process if you follow a clear set of steps.

This is the most critical action you must take. Do not wait. Within a day or two of arriving in the U.S. by air or sea, you must retrieve your electronic I-94.

• How to Retrieve:
  • Go to the official CBP website: The only official source is `i94.cbp.dhs.gov`. Beware of scam websites that charge a fee for this free service.
  • Click on “Get Most Recent I-94.”
  • Enter Your Information: You will need to enter your full name as it appears on your passport, your date of birth, your passport number, and your country of passport issuance. Accuracy is key. A single typo will result in a “Not Found” error. Try different variations of your name if you have multiple middle or last names.
  • Download and Print: Once you find your record, download the PDF and print a physical copy. Save the digital file in a safe place.
• What to Review:
  • Personal Information: Is your name spelled correctly? Is your date of birth correct?
  • Class of Admission: Does it match your visa type (e.g., H-1B, F-1, B-2)?
  • Admit Until Date: Is the date what you expected? For B-2 tourists, this is typically six months. For H-1B workers, it should generally match the expiration date of their petition. If it says “D/S,” confirm this is correct for your visa type.

If you find an error, you must act quickly. An incorrect I-94 can jeopardize your ability to work, study, or even remain in the country.

• Types of Errors: These can range from simple typos in a name to a completely incorrect “Admit Until Date” or “Class of Admission.” An officer might have accidentally given a tourist a 30-day admission instead of the standard six months, or admitted an H-1B worker in B-2 tourist status.
• Correction Process:
  • Contact a CBP Deferred Inspection Site: You cannot fix an I-94 error online or over the phone. You must contact or visit a CBP Deferred Inspection Site. A list of these sites is available on the CBP website.
  • Gather Your Evidence: You will need to present clear evidence of the correct information. This includes your passport, visa, and any supporting documents like a student's form_i-20, a worker's form_i-797 approval notice, or a J-1 visitor's form_ds-2019.
  • Be Polite and Clear: Explain the error calmly and present your documentation. The officers at these sites have the authority to correct the electronic record. Once corrected, you should retrieve and print the updated I-94 online.

If you wish to stay in the U.S. beyond your I-94's “Admit Until Date,” you generally must file for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (uscis).

• The Key Form: The application is made using form_i-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”
• Timing is Everything: You MUST file the I-539 before your current I-94 expires. Filing even one day late will almost certainly result in a denial. It is wise to file at least 45-60 days in advance.
• The Process:
  • You will submit the Form I-539, the required fee, and supporting documents that prove why you need an extension and that you have maintained your status thus far.
  • You will need to provide a copy of your current I-94 record as proof of your lawful admission.
  • While the application is pending with USCIS, you are generally considered to be in a period of “authorized stay” even if your I-94 date passes. However, you must not work or engage in activities outside your original status unless authorized.
  • If the extension is approved, USCIS will issue a form_i-797 Approval Notice, which will contain a new I-94 at the bottom with a new expiration date. This new paper I-94 from USCIS now becomes your controlling document.

• Your I-94 Record: This is the primary document. Always have a digital and physical copy of your most recent I-94. It's needed for getting a driver's license, applying for a Social Security number, and proving work authorization.
• Your Passport with U.S. Visa Stamp: The visa shows you were eligible to apply for admission. Paired with the I-94, it tells the full story of your immigration status. The visa must be valid upon entry, but does not need to remain valid for you to stay in the U.S. (your I-94 controls that).
• Form I-797 Approval Notice (if applicable): For workers (H-1B, L-1, O-1) or those who have changed/extended status from within the U.S., this notice from USCIS is critical. It proves the underlying petition was approved. Often, the “Admit Until Date” on your I-94 should align with the validity period on your I-797.

The I-94's rules play out differently depending on your situation. Here are three common scenarios that illustrate its real-world impact.

• Backstory: Kenji from Japan is admitted to a four-year undergraduate program in California. At the airport, the CBP officer reviews his passport, F-1 visa, and his form_i-20.
• The I-94 Entry: Kenji retrieves his electronic I-94, and the “Admit Until Date” correctly shows “D/S.” His Class of Admission is “F-1.”
• The Impact: Kenji can legally remain in the U.S. for the entire four years of his program, plus a 60-day grace period afterward, as long as he remains a full-time student in good standing. If he transfers schools or starts a Master's program, his school's Designated School Official (DSO) will issue a new I-20, which continues his “Duration of Status.” His legal stay is tied to his academic progress, not a fixed date. If he drops out of school, he violates his status, and his “D/S” period ends immediately.

• Backstory: An elderly couple, David and Sarah from the UK, enter the U.S. through the visa_waiver_program (ESTA) to visit their new grandchild for “a few months.” They arrive on March 1st.
• The I-94 Entry: Their electronic I-94s show Class of Admission “WT” (Waiver Tourist) and an “Admit Until Date” of May 29th (90 days after entry). Overjoyed with their family, they lose track of time.
• The Impact: They depart the U.S. on June 15th, about two weeks after their I-94 expired. They have now accrued an unlawful_presence and have violated the terms of the Visa Waiver Program. As a result, they are no longer eligible to use ESTA for future travel. To visit the U.S. again, they will now need to apply for a B-2 visitor visa at a U.S. embassy, a more expensive and rigorous process, and they will have to explain their previous overstay, with no guarantee of approval.

• Backstory: Priya, an engineer from India, has an approved h-1b petition (form_i-797) valid from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2026. However, her passport is set to expire on December 1, 2024. She enters the U.S. on October 15, 2023.
• The I-94 Entry: Priya checks her I-94 and is shocked. The “Admit Until Date” is not September 30, 2026, but December 1, 2024.
• The Impact (and the Rule): This is not an error. CBP policy dictates that a nonimmigrant's admission period cannot extend beyond their passport's validity date. The CBP officer correctly limited her stay to the date her passport expires. To stay for the full three years of her H-1B approval, Priya must first renew her passport. Then, before her I-94 expires, she will need to either travel outside the U.S. and re-enter with the new passport to get a new I-94, or file a form_i-539 with uscis to extend her status from within the country. This “passport rule” catches many workers by surprise.

The biggest ongoing issue with the I-94 is the “digital divide.” While the electronic system is highly efficient for the government and for tech-savvy travelers, it poses significant challenges for others. Elderly visitors, those from countries with low internet penetration, or individuals who are simply not comfortable with technology may not know they need to retrieve their I-94 online. This can lead to them being unaware of their actual “admit until date” or failing to notice a critical error until it's too late. Advocacy groups continue to push CBP for more robust notification systems at ports of entry, such as providing small info cards or better verbal instructions to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibility to check their electronic record.

The future of the I-94 is intertwined with the broader evolution of border management technology. We are moving toward a system where your identity and immigration status are tied directly to your biometrics (face, fingerprints).

• Facial Recognition Entry: CBP is rapidly expanding the use of facial comparison technology at ports of entry. In the near future, many travelers may not even need to present a passport. A camera will scan their face, match it to their digital photo on file, and automatically pull up their visa and travel history. In this system, the I-94 admission record is created seamlessly in the background.
• Data Integration: Expect deeper integration between the I-94 database and other government systems. For example, a state DMV could one day ping the CBP database in real-time to verify your lawful status duration before issuing a driver's license, making a printed I-94 obsolete. This increases efficiency but also raises significant privacy and data security concerns that will be the subject of legal and policy debates for years to come.

• admission_number: The unique 11-digit number assigned to your specific entry into the U.S. on your I-94.
• class_of_admission: A code indicating the visa category and purpose under which you were admitted to the U.S.
• d/s_duration_of_status: An admission for the length of a program or assignment, not a specific date (common for F-1, J-1).
• deferred_inspection: A CBP process allowing a traveler to report to a CBP office later to resolve an issue that couldn't be settled at the port of entry.
• form_i-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, used by F-1 and M-1 students.
• form_i-539: The USCIS form used to apply for an extension of stay or a change of nonimmigrant status.
• form_i-797: A Notice of Action from USCIS, often used to show approval of a petition or application.
• immigration_and_nationality_act: The primary body of U.S. law governing immigration and citizenship.
• nonimmigrant: A foreign national seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily for a specific purpose.
• overstay: Remaining in the U.S. past the “Admit Until Date” on your Form I-94.
• port_of_entry: The airport, seaport, or land border crossing where you are inspected by CBP and admitted to the U.S.
• unlawful_presence: A specific legal term for time spent in the U.S. without legal authorization, which can trigger re-entry bars.
• u.s._customs_and_border_protection: The DHS agency responsible for managing the border, including inspecting and admitting travelers.
• uscis: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the DHS agency that handles in-country benefits like extensions and changes of status.
• visa: A travel document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate that allows a traveler to apply for admission at a port of entry.

• visa
• visa_waiver_program
• unlawful_presence
• h-1b_visa
• f-1_student_visa
• u.s._customs_and_border_protection
• form_i-539