
International students entering the United States as non-immigrants will receive an I-94 arrival/departure record from Customs Border Protection (CBP). This is an electronic record that details the duration of their legal stay in the country and their current immigration status. The I-94 record is crucial for international students, as it serves as proof of their legal status, and they are required to keep it for the duration of their visit. It is also needed for various official purposes, such as employment verification and benefits applications. Students can access their electronic I-94 record through the CBP website and are advised to obtain a printout for their records.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Customs Border Protection (CBP) |
| Document name | Form I-94 |
| Who needs it | Nonimmigrants entering the US |
| Purpose | Proves legal entry, confirms immigration status, and shows how long the individual can stay in the US |
| Format | Electronic or passport admission stamp |
| Contents | Name, date of birth, passport country and number, visa type, date of entry, port of entry, and visa status |
| Availability | Can be accessed through the CBP website |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- International students receive an I-94 record when entering the US
- The I-94 record is available electronically
- The I-94 record includes the date of entry, port of entry, and visa status
- Students must keep their I-94 record for the duration of their stay
- The I-94 record is required for employment verification

International students receive an I-94 record when entering the US
International students do receive an I-94 record when entering the US. The I-94 record is an electronic arrival/departure document issued by Customs Border Protection (CBP) that shows how long a student is allowed to stay in the US, proves they arrived legally, and confirms their current immigration status. The record includes the student's name, date of birth, passport country and number, visa type, and date of entry. It is important to keep the I-94 record for the duration of one's stay in the US as it may be required as proof of status for F-1 or J-1 benefits applications, employment verification, and other official purposes.
Students can access their electronic I-94 record on the CBP website using their name as it appears on their visa stamp page and their passport number. It is recommended that students obtain a printout of their I-94 record and retain it for their personal records. In addition to the electronic record, students may also receive a passport admission stamp, which serves as further proof of their legal status and valid period of admission in the US. The passport stamp will indicate the date of admission to the US and the visa status under which the student has been admitted.
It is important to note that the I-94 record may not always be accurate, and students should verify that the information on their record is correct. If there are any discrepancies, students can experiment with adding or removing spaces between letters or numbers in their name or passport number when entering their information on the CBP website. Additionally, a new I-94 number will be generated each time a student re-enters the US, so it is important to keep up-to-date records.
The I-94 record is a crucial document for international students entering the US, as it serves as proof of their legal status and allows them to remain in the country for the duration of their studies as long as they maintain their status and their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has not expired. By understanding the importance of the I-94 record and keeping accurate and up-to-date records, international students can ensure a smooth entry and stay in the United States.
International Students: Finding Work in the USA
You may want to see also

The I-94 record is available electronically
As of April 30, 2013, most I-94 records are created electronically upon arrival. When entering the U.S. by air or sea, a CBP officer will issue an electronic I-94 at the point of entry during the admission process. If a student or scholar has received a passport admission stamp, there will also be an electronic I-94 record.
The I-94 record can be accessed through the CBP One app or the I-94 website. The CBP One app allows individuals to have a digital version of their I-94 on their phones, as well as a 10-year travel history of their arrivals and departures from the U.S. The app also sends notifications to travellers about their remaining time in the U.S. and alerts those who may have exceeded their admission period.
The I-94 website provides information on the new I-94 automation process and passport admission stamps. It also allows individuals to view and print their most recent I-94 form, which may be needed for employment purposes. The I-94 record includes an 11-digit admission number, which is also known as the Departure Number or Admission Record Number. Beginning in May 2019, I-94 numbers will be alphanumeric, consisting of 9 digits followed by a letter and another digit.
FAFSA Application Guide for International Students
You may want to see also

The I-94 record includes the date of entry, port of entry, and visa status
International students entering the United States as nonimmigrants will need to have their passports and visas examined by a Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer, who will, in most cases, issue an electronic Arrival/Departure document known as Form I-94. The I-94 record includes the date of entry, port of entry, and visa status. This document proves that the student has arrived in the country legally, confirms their current immigration status, and specifies how long they are allowed to stay in the US.
The I-94 record is important for international students as it serves as evidence of their legal status in the country. It includes the date of entry, which is crucial for determining the duration of their authorized stay. The date of entry is recorded either directly or indicated by the "Admit Until Date" or "D/S" (duration of status). For students and scholars on F or J status, the stamp is usually marked as "D/S", meaning they can remain in the US as long as they maintain their status and their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) documents are valid.
The port of entry, or the specific location where the student entered the country, is another important piece of information on the I-94 record. This can be recorded through passport admission stamps, although many large ports of entry are phasing out physical admission stamps in favour of electronic records. The I-94 record also includes the visa status of the individual, indicating the purpose and conditions of their stay in the US.
Additionally, the I-94 record contains an eleven-digit admission number, which may be required for certain procedures, such as at the Department of Motor Vehicles or for employment. This number changes each time the student re-enters the United States. It is worth noting that while the I-94 record used to be a paper form, it is now primarily processed electronically, and travellers are encouraged to use the CBP GO mobile app or the CBP I-94 website to access their records.
International Students at Barnard: What's the Count?
You may want to see also

Students must keep their I-94 record for the duration of their stay
International students are required to keep their I-94 record for the duration of their stay in the United States. The I-94 is an electronic Arrival/Departure document issued by Customs Border Protection (CBP) when entering the US as a nonimmigrant. It serves as proof of legal status and confirms the current immigration status of the individual. The record includes the name, date of birth, passport country and number, visa type, and date of entry of the student.
The I-94 record is important for several reasons. Firstly, it may be required as proof of status for F-1 or J-1 benefits applications, employment verification, and other official purposes. Secondly, the I-94 record ensures that students can remain in the United States as long as they maintain their status and their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has not expired. This is indicated by the "D/S" (duration of status) marking on the record.
Students can access their electronic I-94 record through the CBP website. It is recommended that students obtain a printout of their I-94 document after each arrival and retain these records for their entire stay. This is because the I-94 record may be needed for various purposes, such as employment or when visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles. Additionally, a new I-94 number is generated each time a student re-enters the United States, so it is important to keep the most recent record.
While the I-94 is primarily electronic, some students may also receive a passport admission stamp, which serves as additional proof of legal status. In the past, the I-94 was issued as a white paper card placed in the passport. However, physical admission stamps are being phased out at many large ports of entry. Therefore, it is crucial for international students to regularly access and retain their electronic I-94 records to maintain their legal status during their stay in the United States.
DACA Students: International or Domestic Freshmen?
You may want to see also

The I-94 record is required for employment verification
When entering the United States as a nonimmigrant, the Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer examines passports and visas and issues an electronic Arrival/Departure document called Form I-94. This document is crucial for international students as it determines how long they can stay in the country, proves they arrived legally, and confirms their immigration status. The I-94 record is also required for employment verification.
The I-94 record is an essential component of employment verification for international students in the United States. To be eligible to work in the US, employees must provide documentation to their employers that establishes their identity and authorization to work. This is where the I-94 record comes into play. The document serves as evidence of an individual's legal entry into the country and their nonimmigrant status, which is necessary for employment authorization.
The I-94 record is particularly important for international students on F or J visas. These students should have a stamp marked "D/S" or "duration of status" on their I-94, indicating that they can remain in the US as long as they maintain their status and their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has not expired. This stamp, along with the I-94 record, is crucial for employment verification as it confirms their legal presence in the country and their eligibility to work.
Additionally, the I-94 record contains an eleven-digit admission number that may be required for employment purposes. This number is unique to each entry into the United States, as a new I-94 number is generated each time an individual re-enters the country. This number is an essential component of the employment verification process, as it helps establish the individual's identity and authorization to work.
It's important to note that while the I-94 record is crucial for employment verification, it may not be the only document required. International students may also need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of their work authorization in the US, depending on their specific circumstances and visa status. Nonetheless, the I-94 record serves as a foundational element in the process of verifying an international student's eligibility for employment in the United States.
Summer of Heroes: Internships and Adventures
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The I-94 is an Arrival/Departure Record that is issued to nonimmigrants entering the United States. It records your name, date of birth, passport country and number, visa type, date of entry, port of entry, and visa status.
Yes, international students need an I-94 when entering the United States.
When you enter the United States, a Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer will examine your passport and visa and issue an electronic I-94. You can then visit the CBP website to access your electronic I-94 record and print it out.
You should keep your I-94 record for the duration of your visit. It may be required as proof of status for F-1 or J-1 benefits applications, employment verification, and other official purposes.


