Understanding Form I-94: A Guide For International Students

Form I-94 is an Arrival/Departure Record issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. It serves as proof of legal-visitor status and is required for visitors extending their stay. While U.S. citizens and some other groups are exempt, most visitors will be issued an I-94 electronically upon arrival by air, sea, or land. The form is attached to the visitor's passport and includes an Admit Until Date, which indicates the latest date that the visitor must exit the U.S. Each I-94 record has an 11-digit admission number, which may be needed for various purposes during the visitor's stay.

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Definition of Form I-94 to Include Electronic Format (US Customs and Border Protection Bureau Regulation) (USCBP) (2018 Edition)

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Who needs a Form I-94?

Form I-94 is required for all travellers entering the US, except for non-US citizens with immigrant visas, most Canadian citizens who are visiting or in transit, and Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers. Those who need to prove their legal-visitor status to employers, schools/universities, or government agencies can access their Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrival/departure record information online.

Students and scholars on F or J status should receive a stamp marked "D/S" or "duration of status", 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) has not expired. They are required to keep the passport entry stamp or I-94 card for the duration of their visit. The I-94 record's 11-digit admission number may be needed for the Department of Motor Vehicles and employment. A new I-94 number is issued each time a student or scholar re-enters the US.

Travellers issued a paper Form I-94 should surrender it upon exiting the US to the commercial carrier, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), or to CBP. If a traveller received an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air, sea, or land and departs via land, their departure may not be recorded accurately. A departure will be recorded if they depart via land and re-enter the US before the expiration date stamped in their passport.

The CBP One app allows travellers to access a digital version of their I-94 on their phones, along with a 10-year travel history of arrivals and departures from the US. CBP also sends email reminders about the remaining time in the US and notifications to travellers who may have exceeded their admission period.

How to get a Form I-94

Form I-94 is a record of arrival and departure dates for people visiting the United States. Every non-US citizen entering the US needs an I-94 form, except for those with immigrant visas and most Canadian citizens who are visiting or in transit. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) typically issues Form I-94 electronically. If you are travelling by air or sea, a CBP officer will issue you an electronic I-94 at your point of entry during the admission process. If you are travelling by land, you can apply for an I-94 in person at your point of entry, or you can apply within 7 days before entering the US through the official I-94 website or the CBP One app. When applying online, there is a $6 fee.

If you need the information from your Form I-94 admission record to verify your immigration status or employment authorization, you can get your I-94 Number from the I-94 website or by using the CBP GO mobile app. The I-94 number is 11 digits long and may be needed at the Department of Motor Vehicles and for employment purposes.

Upon exiting the US, travellers issued a paper Form I-94 should surrender it to the commercial carrier, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), or to CBP upon departure. If you received an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air or sea or land and depart via land, your departure may not be recorded accurately. A departure will be recorded if you depart via land and re-enter the US before the expiration date stamped in your passport. If you are not a resident of Canada or Mexico and you receive an electronic I-94 and depart via land but do not re-enter the US before the expiration date stamped on your passport, you may want to travel with evidence of your departure into Canada or Mexico. Evidence of departure can include entry stamps in a passport, transportation tickets, pay stubs and/or other receipts.

You can retrieve your most recent I-94 Visa Waiver Program form, see your travel history, or apply online for a new I-94 arrival and departure record. You can also see your most recent I-94 form and print it if you need a record of legal admission to the US. The CBP One app also allows you to have a digital version of your I-94 on your phone.

The I-94 admission record

The I-94 is an Arrival/Departure Record issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. It is usually attached to the visitor's passport by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon entry to the country. The form is used to record the visitor's arrival and departure dates, with the departure date being the last date by which they must exit the U.S. This is known as the "Admit Until Date".

The I-94 number, also referred to as the Departure Number or Admission Record Number, is 11 digits long and is required for various purposes, such as verifying immigration status, employment authorization, and when visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles. It is important to note that a new I-94 number is generated each time an individual re-enters the U.S.

For international students, the I-94 admission record is particularly important. Students on F or J visas should receive a stamp marked "D/S" or "duration of status", indicating that they are allowed to remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain their student status and their documentation (I-20 for F-1 students or DS-2019 for J-1 students) does not expire. It is crucial for students to keep their passport entry stamp or I-94 card safe and accessible throughout their stay.

While paper forms of the I-94 are still issued, the process has become increasingly digital. Since April 2013, most arrival and departure records have been created electronically upon a visitor's arrival in the U.S. by air, sea, or land. Visitors can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online or via the CBP GO mobile app. Additionally, from May 2019, I-94 numbers transitioned to an alphanumeric format, consisting of 9 digits, followed by a letter, and then another digit.

The I-94 arrival stamp

Upon entering the United States, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will attach the Form I-94 to the passport of the non-immigrant visitor. The passport admission stamp or the paper I-94 card will be marked with either a specific date or the notation "D/S" (duration of status). For international students on F or J visas, the stamp should typically read "D/S", indicating that they can remain in the country as long as they maintain their student status and their relevant documentation (such as I-20 or DS-2019) remains valid.

It is crucial for international students to retain their passport bearing the I-94 arrival stamp or their paper I-94 card for the entirety of their visit. Proper safekeeping of these documents ensures compliance with legal requirements and can be easily referenced when necessary. While the I-94 number is not something that needs to be memorised, it is unique to each entry into the country, changing every time a student exits and re-enters the United States.

While paper forms of the I-94 were previously issued, the process has now been largely automated. Most arrival and departure records are now created electronically upon a visitor's arrival in the United States. International students can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online or through the CBP GO mobile app. This digital transition ensures a more efficient and secure means of managing travel records for visitors to the United States, including international students.

Proving legal-visitor status

International students who are non-immigrants to the United States are required to prove their legal-visitor status. This is done through Form I-94, also known as the "Arrival/Departure Record". The form is used to verify immigration status or employment authorization. The I-94 number is 11 digits long, and a new number is issued each time the student or scholar re-enters the United States. Students and scholars are required to keep the passport entry stamp or I-94 card for the duration of their visit.

The I-94 form can be accessed online through the CBP GO mobile app or the CBP I-94 website. The form is issued electronically, and travelers will no longer receive a paper copy. The I-94 number can be used to prove legal-visitor status to employers, schools/universities, or government agencies.

International students on an F-1 visa are tracked through the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The SEVP is responsible for maintaining the students' SEVIS records, which include their immigration status and other relevant information. Schools and universities are advised to regularly check SEVIS to determine if any of their students' F-1 status has changed and to communicate any developments to the affected students.

Additionally, international students should consult with their Designated School Official (DSO) before traveling outside the United States. The DSO can verify that the student's SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date. Students may also need to present their Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", when re-entering the United States. It is important for students to keep their passport current and valid for at least six months after their planned re-entry date.

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