Form I-94: Your Travel Record & Proof of Status
- The Form I-94 is your official admission record, defining how long you can legally stay in the U.S.
- It’s essential for many official applications, like Form I-9 for employment and state driver’s licenses.
- You can retrieve and print your electronic Form I-94 from the official CBP I-94 website. Most people no longer get a paper form.
Form I-94 is the arrival/departure record that proves your lawful entry into the U.S. and lawful temporary presence in the U.S. It’s essential for any non-citizen entering the country. Without an accurate I-94, you may lose the legal right to enter the country.
| 🧑⚖️Clear guidance, without the legal jargon. This article is informed and reviewed by Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys—and written to make the law make sense. Because you deserve to understand the system, not fight it. Check out our editorial policy for more info. |
What is Form I-94?
The Form I-94 is the official arrival and departure record issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security. It proves you arrived legally and defines how long you can stay. It’s your official admission record.
Generally, all non-citizens receive this record when they’re admitted to the U.S. or when they change or extend their visa status while already in the U.S.
What’s on your I-94 record?
The I-94 holds the details that govern your legal status:
- Class of admission: The two- or three-letter code for your official visa status, like O-1 (extraordinary ability), H-1B (specialty occupation), or F-1 (student).
- Admit until date: The last day you are legally allowed to remain in the U.S. For students (F-1) and exchange visitors (J-1), this date may be marked “D/S” (duration of status), meaning you can stay as long as you’re in your school program or authorized training.
- Admission number: You may need your I-94 number to obtain a driver’s license, complete employment verification, or prove you’re legally authorized to work in the United States. For foreign nationals whose work authorization is incident to status, such as L-2 spouses, their I-94 is especially important because it serves as proof of their right to work. You’ll receive a new one if you re-enter the United States.
I-94 vs. visa
The I-94 is not your visa. Your visa is the stamp in your passport that lets you travel to the U.S. and ask for permission to enter the country. The I-94 is the document that grants you entry and outlines how long you can stay.
| U.S. visa | Form I-94 | |
| What it is | An entry document that lets you travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission | The official record that grants you lawful entry into the U.S. and defines how long you can stay |
| Who issues it | U.S. consulates and embassies | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| Key date | Visa expiration date: The last day you can use the visa to travel to the U.S. | Admit until date: The last day you are legally allowed to remain in the U.S. Keep in mind the length of stay can get truncated if your passport expires before your status or visa. |
Who needs the I-94
Generally, all non-citizens admitted to the U.S. (and anyone extending or adjusting their status in the U.S.) need a Form I-94. There are exceptions for certain people, including:
- Returning resident aliens: Also called a lawful permanent resident or Green Card holder, they have the legal right to live and work in the U.S. permanently. Their Green Card is proof of lawful admission.
- Aliens who have an immigrant visa: Foreign nationals coming to the U.S. specifically to become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). They’ll receive a temporary I-551 stamp on their visa indicating they have permanent resident status.
- Most Canadian citizens: They may receive an electronic I-94 if entering by air, but those entering by land for brief visits or in transit are generally exempt. Canadian citizens staying in the U.S. for 30 days or longer may need to receive an I-94 arrival/departure record.
Why you need Form I-94
Form I-94 serves as your official arrival/departure record in the U.S., proving you were lawfully admitted by a CBP officer. You’ll need the I-94 for many important steps of your life and career in the U.S.
The I-94 defines the end of your legal status
The most crucial piece of information on your I-94 is the “admit until date,” which is the day your legal immigration status in the U.S. expires. This date, not the expiration date on your visa or other documents, is the one you must track to maintain your status. Check your I-94 after every entry to make sure the date and your class of admission are correct. If any information listed on the I-94 record is incorrect, contact CBP as soon as possible to make the correction.
Remaining in the U.S. past the authorized period on your I-94 makes you unlawfully present. This has serious consequences. Your visa could be automatically canceled. Overstays of more than 180 days can result in up to a 10-year ban from re-entering the U.S. when you depart and make future visa applications extremely difficult.
A common mistake many foreign nationals make is relying solely on their Form I-797 approval notice without checking their I-94 record. If a traveler enters the U.S. with a passport that expires before the validity of their visa or approval notice, CBP will shorten—“truncate”—the I-94 to match the passport expiration date. This means their authorized stay may end earlier than expected.
Using the I-94 for employment and official applications
Various agencies may use the I-94 to verify your immigration status and your employment authorization. Here are some examples:
- Employment eligibility verification: You must present your I-94 and foreign passport to your employer for Form I-9, which confirms your legal right to work in the U.S., especially for people allowed to work incident to their status like L2 spouses.
- Enrollment in educational institutions: A student traveling to the U.S. on an F-1 visa must show their current I-94 (which should read “D/S” for duration of status) to their designated school official to register for classes or apply for work authorization.
- State ID and driver’s license applications: A state department of motor vehicles will require a current I-94 when you apply for a driver’s license or state identification card.
- Future immigration applications: The I-94 is a necessary document for many subsequent immigration applications, including extensions of stay, changing to a different visa status, or applying for a Green Card.
How to get your I-94
For most travelers, the Form I-94 record is created electronically when you enter the country. To get a paper copy, you must retrieve and print it yourself.
You can access your I-94 after you’ve officially entered the U.S. Here’s how:
- Go to the official CBP website. Make sure the URL ends in .gov.
- Select the option “Get most recent I-94.” You’ll be asked to agree to the terms of service.
- Enter your passport number and biographical information (name, date of birth, date of entry) exactly as they appear on the travel document you used to enter the U.S.
- Once it’s retrieved, you can print or save your I-94 record as a PDF. You should keep the printed document with other important immigrant documents, since it’s your lawful record of admission.
Correcting your I-94
If your I-94 has errors—like a misspelled name, wrong visa type, or incorrect admit until date—you must get it fixed.
- Contact a CBP deferred inspection site. Many encourage travelers to submit correction requests via email.
- Include copies of your essential documents, such as your passport, visa, and entry stamp, to prove the correct information. You may also need to file Form I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document).
- For time-sensitive situations, you may need to visit a deferred inspection site in person like an airport.
What to expect when traveling with Form I-94
When you travel, CBP records both your arrival and departure dates to ensure you haven’t overstayed your authorized period. It helps maintain an accurate travel history for you. If you arrive by air or sea, CBP gets your exit information from the airline or cruise manifest. You don’t need to do anything different when you leave the U.S.
While most I-94s are now electronic, if you received a paper Form I-94, you must surrender it when you leave the U.S. Give the paper form to the carrier (like an airline), a CBP officer, or the Canadian Border Services Agency if you’re entering Canada. If you forget to return it, you must mail it to CBP with evidence of your departure to avoid being marked as an overstay.
Departing to Canada or Mexico
If you depart the U.S. by land to Canada or Mexico, you might have an issue with your electronic Form I-94 record—it may not be recorded accurately. If you’re not a resident of Canada or Mexico and you don’t re-enter the U.S. before your I-94 expiration date, you should keep proof of your departure to maintain an accurate travel history for future applications. This evidence can include entry stamps in your passport, transportation tickets, or other dated receipts.
Get answers to your Form I-94 questions
Form I-94 is a vital document for any temporary visitor to the U.S. It proves your lawful admission, and it records your admit until date, which is the final day you can legally stay. Check your I-94 immediately after every entry and keep a printed copy to use for employment and official applications.
The I-94 is one of many things to account for on the path to a Green Card. Request a consultation with Manifest Law’s experienced immigration lawyers and get the clarity you need to move forward.
Frequently asked questions about Form I-94
Can I get Form I-94 without a foreign passport?
If you enter with a different legal travel document, like a border crossing card, you can still apply for an I-94 online, but you’ll need to provide the number from that document instead of a passport number. You may also use your alien registration number.
How much does Form I-94 cost?
If you’re required to get an I-94 at a land border, the application fee is $30. There’s no fee if you arrive by air or sea.
Do I need Form I-94 if I’m a citizen of a country in the Visa Waiver Program?
Yes. Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program must have an approved electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) and can only seek entry for a maximum of 90 days for business or pleasure. Upon arrival, you’ll receive an electronic I-94.
What if I lose my I-94 form?
If you lost a paper I-94 or need a replacement for an electronic Form I-94, you can retrieve and print your most recent record for free from the official CBP I-94 website. You’ll need your passport number and other info to retrieve your new I-94 number. If you can’t find your record online, you may need to file Form I-102 with USCIS to request a replacement; this requires you to pay a fee.
What should I do if my I-94 was shortened because my passport expires soon?
If your I-94 expiration date was cut short due to an expiring passport, you have two main options to fix it. First, you can renew your passport and take a short trip abroad; when you return to the U.S. with your new passport, your old passport containing the valid visa, and proof of your underlying status, CBP will issue a new I-94 valid for the proper period. Second, if you prefer not to travel, you can file an extension of status with USCIS before your truncated I-94 expires. Either option helps ensure you remain in lawful status and avoid unintended violations.
