Form I-94: Your Step-By-Step Guide To US Entry Documentation 

Have you ever been asked to prove when and how you entered the United States, for work, immigration benefits, or official records?

You may not think about Form I-94 often, but it is an important part of verifying your immigration status and authorized stay in the United States.

Here is a quick guide to everything you need to know about Form I-94, from its role in immigration processes to how to get and access it.

Bradford H. Bernstein

This article was written and reviewed by Bradford H. Bernstein, a second-generation leader at Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein, P.C., who has helped over 100,000 clients with immigration and personal injury issues. Brad joined the firm in 1993, became a partner in 1997, and assumed leadership in 2000 after Harry Spar retired.

View Brad's Bio

Bradford H. Bernstein

What Is Form I-94?

Form I-94, also known as the Arrival/Departure Record, is a document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to track the entry and departure of non-U.S. citizens visiting the United States.

It records the date and port of entry, immigration status, and length of authorized stay in the U.S.

In the past, Form I-94 was issued on paper, now it is mostly electronic.

Who Needs Form I-94?

Form I-94 is not required for everyone entering the U.S., but here’s who typically needs it:

• Tourists: Visitors coming to the U.S. for pleasure, sightseeing, or to visit family and friends, usually on a B-2 visitor visa.
• Students: Those coming to the U.S. to study at educational institutions (universities, language schools, vocational programs) on student visas like F-1, M-1, and J-1.
• Temporary workers: Individuals coming to the U.S. for short-term work with a valid work visa, such as H-1B, L-1, or O-1.
• Business visitors: Those traveling to the U.S. for business purposes, like attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations, on a B-1 business visa.
• People changing their immigration status: Foreign nationals already in the U.S. who wish to switch from one visa category to another, for example, from a tourist visa to a student visa.
• People extending their stay in the U.S.: Individuals with nonimmigrant visas looking to stay in the U.S. beyond the expiration date on their Form I-94.
• Non-U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. after a temporary absence: Foreign nationals who leave the U.S. and return within the validity of their visa.

What Form I-94 Shows

Depending on your situation and why you need Form I-94, it serves as:

• Proof of legal entry: Verifies that you entered the U.S. lawfully at a port of entry.
• Confirmation of your immigration status: Shows the type of visa under which you were admitted — for example, F-1, B-2, H-1B.
• Documentation of authorized stay: Shows the date until which you are allowed to stay in the U.S.
• Evidence for employment authorization: Confirms your work eligibility when completing Form I-9 with an employer.
• Evidence for state benefits: Confirms your status as required for certain processes, such as applying for a Social Security number.
• Reference for your travel history: Keeps a record of your U.S. entry and exit dates, which can be useful for future visa applications or legal purposes.

How To Get Form I-94 Upon Initial Entry To The US

The way you get Form I-94 depends on how you enter the United States.

Arriving By Air Or Sea

If you are arriving at a U.S. airport or seaport, you will receive an electronic Form I-94.

The CBP officer will:

• Inspect your travel documents.
• Stamp your passport, noting the date of your arrival, port of entry, visa classification, and the date by which you must leave the country.

The details from your passport stamp are digitally recorded in the CBP system and this electronic record becomes your Form I-94.

Arriving By Land

If you are crossing into the U.S. by land, you will also get an electronic Form I-94.

To save time, you can:

• Pre-apply online through the CBP One™ mobile app or CBP website.
• Pay the $6 fee in advance — note that it is non-refundable, even if you are denied entry into the U.S.
• Travel to the U.S. border within 7 days of submitting the application — if you miss this window, your application will become invalid, and you will have to start from the beginning.
• Bring the documents you used in your application — typically your passport and visa.
• Provide biometrics, a facial scan or fingerprints.
• Attend an interview with a CBP officer who will ask you questions about your visit, including the purpose, duration, and planned activities.
• Be ready to provide additional requested documents, such as an invitation letter, hotel reservation, employment letter, or lease agreement.

Visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries, who can travel to the U.S. without a visa, need to get pre-approved through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

While you can request a paper Form I-94 at the border, it may take additional time and is only recommended if absolutely necessary.

Instead, you can quickly and conveniently access your electronic I-94 online via the CBP website.

How To Access & Print Your I-94

So, where and how can you get your Form I-94?

You can obtain it easily through the CBP website or the CBP One™ mobile app.

CBP Website

1. Go to the official CBP portal at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
2. Select “Get Most Recent I-94.”
3. Fill in the required fields, including your full name, date of birth, and passport details — make sure the details exactly match what is in your passport.
4. Check if all the details on your I-94 — date of entry, visa type, and expiration date — are correct.
5. Save the document as PDF or print it directly.

CBP One™ Mobile App

1. Download the CBP™ One app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Log in with your existing account or create a new one if you are using the app for the first time.
3. Go to the “I-94” menu in the app.
4. Enter your personal details.
5. Review your I-94 record for accuracy and save or screenshot it. You can also email it to yourself and print it from a computer.

Having trouble getting your Form I-94? Contact our experienced immigration lawyers at The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein.

Need Help With Form I-94? Schedule A Consultation

Do you have issues with your form I-94?

Our knowledgeable immigration attorneys at Spar & Bernstein will:

• Retrieve your electronic I-94 record through the CBP portal.
• Fix the errors in your I-94 record by working with CBP or filing a correction request.
• Get a replacement for your paper I-94 if it is lost or damaged.
• Provide legal advice and representation if your I-94 expiration date has passed and you need to change your immigration status.
• Use your I-94 to file for extensions of stay, status changes, or adjustments of status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Represent you before CBP or USCIS if you have I-94 issues.

Beyond Form I-94, our experienced team of attorneys can help with many other immigration forms and processes, including Form I-130 for family petitions, Form I-140 for employment-based immigration, Form I-765 for work authorization, and Form I-485 for adjustment of status.

Form I-94: FAQs

Have more questions about Form I-94? Here is a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand and manage this form better.

Why do I need Form I-94?

You may need Form I-94 for many reasons, including verifying your legal status, extending your stay, changing visa categories, applying for a driver’s license, and securing employment authorization.

What should I do if my I-94 has incorrect information?

If there are errors in your Form I-94, contact CBP at the port of entry where you entered or file a correction request online through the CBP website’s Deferred Inspection Sites page.

Do U.S. citizens or Green Card holders need a Form I-94?

No, U.S. citizens and Green Card holders do not need Form I-94. It is only for foreign nationals entering the U.S. for temporary visits.

Can I extend my stay beyond the date on my Form I-94?

Yes, you can extend your stay beyond the date on your I-94 by requesting an extension. To do this, file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS.

What happens if I overstay the date on my Form I-94?

Overstaying can result in different penalties, including bans on re-entry, visa cancellation, and ineligibility for immigration benefits.

Is Form I-94 a type of visa?

No, Form I-94 is not a visa. A visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, allowing you to enter the U.S. Form I-94 shows your admission date and the allowed duration in the U.S.

What should I do if I have lost my paper Form I-94?

If you have lost your paper Form I-94, you can get a replacement by filing Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document, with USCIS. Be sure to attach supporting documents, such as your passport and visa, and pay the applicable fee.