What Is the I-94 Form?
The I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) is one of the most important documents in U.S. immigration. It records your entry into the United States, your immigration status, and — most critically — the date by which you must depart. Your authorized period of stay is determined by your I-94, not your visa stamp. A visa stamp authorizes you to travel to the U.S.; the I-94 authorizes you to stay.
Since 2013, CBP has issued electronic I-94s for most air and sea arrivals. Paper I-94 cards (white Form I-94 or green Form I-94W) are still issued at some land border crossings.
How to Access Your Electronic I-94
Retrieve your I-94 online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. You will need your full name (as it appears on your passport), date of birth, passport number, and country of issuance. The system displays your most recent I-94 record including your admission number, class of admission (visa status), and the date your authorized stay expires.
Print at least two copies immediately upon entry to the U.S. Carry one with your passport at all times and store one securely with your immigration documents.
Understanding Your I-94 Information
| Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Admission (I-94) Number | Your 11-digit unique arrival record number. Used on immigration forms and for employment verification. |
| Class of Admission | Your visa classification at entry (e.g., H-1B, F-1, B-2, L-1). This determines what you can do in the U.S. |
| Admit Until Date | The date your authorized stay expires. Staying beyond this date = overstay. For F-1 students, this shows "D/S" (Duration of Status) instead of a date. |
| Date of Entry | When you were admitted to the U.S. Important for calculating continuous presence and lawful admission. |
| Port of Entry | The airport, seaport, or land border where you entered. Relevant for some immigration applications. |
Why Your I-94 Matters
Your I-94 controls several critical aspects of your immigration case. It determines your authorized period of stay — overstaying triggers serious consequences including 3-year and 10-year re-entry bars. Employers use your I-94 for I-9 employment verification to confirm you are authorized to work. The I-94 admission number is required on nearly every USCIS form you file (I-485, I-765, I-539, I-129, etc.). And your class of admission determines your eligibility for benefits like change of status and adjustment of status.
Common I-94 Errors and How to Fix Them
CBP occasionally makes errors on I-94 records — wrong name spelling, incorrect class of admission, wrong admit-until date, or incorrect passport number. These errors can cause serious problems with USCIS applications, employment verification, and status compliance.
To correct an error, file a request through the CBP Information Center at help.cbp.gov or visit your nearest CBP Deferred Inspection site in person. Bring your passport, visa, boarding pass, and any evidence of the correct information. Corrections typically take 2-4 weeks. Do not file any immigration applications until the error is corrected — incorrect I-94 data on forms can cause RFEs or denials.
I-94 at Land Borders
At land border crossings (U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders), CBP may still issue paper I-94 cards. Canadian citizens entering for visits under 6 months generally do not receive I-94s. If you receive a paper I-94, do not lose it — return it when you depart (drop it in the collection box at the border). Failure to surrender your paper I-94 upon departure means CBP has no record of your departure, which can cause you to appear as an overstay.
D/S (Duration of Status) Explained
F-1 and J-1 visa holders typically receive I-94s stamped "D/S" (Duration of Status) rather than a specific date. This means you are authorized to stay as long as you maintain valid status in your program. Your status ends when you complete your program (plus grace period), violate the terms of your status, or your program is terminated in SEVIS. D/S does not mean unlimited stay — it is tied to your program enrollment and compliance.
Critical: Your visa expiration date and your I-94 expiration date are different things. Your visa stamp can expire while you are in the U.S. — that is fine, you can stay until your I-94 date. But if your I-94 expires, you must depart or file for an extension/change of status before that date, regardless of your visa stamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my I-94 online?
Visit i94.cbp.dhs.gov and enter your name, date of birth, passport number, and country of issuance. Your most recent I-94 record will be displayed. Print it immediately.
What happens if I overstay my I-94?
Overstaying your I-94 by more than 180 days triggers a 3-year re-entry bar upon departure. Overstaying by more than 1 year triggers a 10-year bar. Your visa is automatically voided upon overstay.
My I-94 has an error — what do I do?
File a correction request through help.cbp.gov or visit a CBP Deferred Inspection site with your passport and supporting documents. Do not file immigration applications until the error is corrected.
Does my I-94 number change every time I enter?
Yes. Each entry generates a new I-94 admission number. Always use your most recent I-94 number on immigration forms.