Form I-94: What It Is and Why It Matters

If you're a foreign visitor to the United States, your I-94 record is one of the most important documents you'll need during your stay. This arrival/departure record, issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), serves as official proof that you were legally admitted to the country and determines exactly how long you can remain.

The I-94 matters because it controls nearly every aspect of your authorized stay. You'll need it for employment verification through Form I-9, applying for a Social Security number, obtaining a driver's license, and filing applications with USCIS. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) automated the I-94 process in 2013, eliminating paper forms for most air and sea arrivals and saving approximately $15.5 million annually in processing costs.

Below, we’ll cover what the I-94 is, who needs one, how to retrieve your record online, current fees, and answers to the most common questions about this form.

What is the I-94?

The Form I-94, officially titled the Arrival/Departure Record, documents your admission to the United States. A CBP officer creates this record each time you enter the country, capturing your arrival date, immigration status, and authorized length of stay.

Your I-94 serves as the official record for Form I-9 employment verification, USCIS applications for status extensions or changes, Social Security Administration filings, and state DMV offices. It contains four key fields:

• I-94 number: An 11-digit alphanumeric admission code unique to your entry
• Date of entry: When you were admitted to the United States
• Class of admission: Your immigration status code, such as F-1, H-1B, or B-2
• Admit until date: The date by which you must depart, or "D/S" for duration of status

One important distinction: your I-94 is not the same as your visa. The visa allows you to travel to a port of entry and request admission; the I-94 documents your actual admission and authorized stay. You can pursue an employment-based green card or other pathways while maintaining a valid I-94 status.

Who needs an I-94?

Most non-immigrant foreign visitors entering the United States require an I-94 record to document their admission. Your immigration status and nationality determine whether CBP issues you an electronic I-94 record automatically or whether you're exempt from this requirement.

Canadian citizens generally do not receive an I-94 for short visits, but must obtain one when entering for work (such as TN status) or study. If you're entering at a land border crossing, the CBP officer will determine whether to issue a paper Form I-94 or an electronic I-94 record based on your circumstances.

Understanding your I-94

The information on your I-94 record determines your authorized stay and immigration status in the United States. Knowing how to read these fields helps you maintain compliance and plan your departure or extension filing.

Key takeaway: Your I-94 controls how long you can stay in the United States, not your visa expiration date. You can remain legally with an expired visa as long as your I-94 is valid.

I-94 vs. visa

Understanding the difference between your I-94 and your visa prevents confusion about your legal status and travel eligibility. These are separate documents issued by different agencies for different purposes.

You can remain in the United States legally with an expired visa, provided your I-94 is still valid. However, if you travel internationally, you need a valid work visa or other appropriate visa stamp to re-enter the country. Your I-94 is proof of status within the United States, while your visa is required for crossing the border.

How to get your I-94 online

After entering the United States at an air or sea port, CBP creates your electronic I-94 record automatically. You can retrieve and print this record through the official CBP I-94 website. Having a printed copy is useful for employment verification, government applications, and your own records.

Follow these steps to get your most recent I-94:

1. Go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov
2. Click "Get Most Recent I-94"
3. Enter your family name exactly as it appears on your passport
4. Enter your first (given) name without middle names or titles
5. Enter your birth date in MM/DD/YYYY format
6. Enter your passport number as shown on the biographic page
7. Select your country of citizenship (country of issuance)
8. Click submit to view and print your I-94

The CBP I-94 website also offers additional features. Select "View Travel History" to see your arrival and departure records for the last 10 years. The "View Compliance" option shows your remaining authorized stay. 

Each time you enter the United States, CBP creates a new I-94 that replaces your previous record online. Print your I-94 after every entry to verify the information is correct and keep copies for your records. Electronic records are available back to 2013 for reference.

I-94 Fees and Payment Requirements

The cost of obtaining an I-94 depends on how you enter the United States. Air and sea port arrivals receive their electronic Form I-94 at no charge, while land border crossing entries require payment.

The land border crossing fee schedule was updated under new legislation in late 2025 and is set to adjust with inflation. No waivers are available. If you apply for a provisional I-94 online before arriving at a land border, this does not guarantee admission. The CBP officer at the port of entry makes the final determination on your entry.

How long can you stay?

Your authorized stay is governed entirely by the admit until date on your I-94, and overstaying triggers serious consequences for future U.S. travel. Accruing 180 days of unlawful presence results in a three-year bar from reentry; one year or more triggers a 10-year bar, both taking effect once you depart and attempt to return.

For D/S holders, maintaining valid status means keeping your program current. If you need to extend your stay, file before your current I-94 expires. USCIS must receive your properly filed extension request before that date to avoid accruing unlawful presence while your case is pending. For work visa holders, your authorized duration depends on your specific classification and employer sponsorship.

Departing and recording your exit

How your departure from the United States is recorded depends on your mode of travel. Accurate departure records are important because they establish that you left on time and maintain your eligibility for future entries.

Air and sea ports: Commercial carriers automatically transmit passenger manifests to CBP, which records your departure electronically. No action is required on your part, but keep your boarding pass as backup documentation.

Land border to Canada or Mexico: Departures may not be recorded automatically. If you reenter the United States before your I-94 expires, CBP will see your new entry. If you remain abroad, consider obtaining evidence of your departure.

Documentation that can prove you left the United States includes:

• Entry stamps in your passport from Canadian (CBSA) or Mexican (INM) immigration
• Transportation tickets and boarding passes
• Dated receipts, bank statements, or other records from abroad

If you received a paper Form I-94 at a land border, surrender it to the carrier when departing by air or sea, or to a CBP officer when crossing by land. If you failed to surrender a paper I-94, mail it to CBP with documentation showing your departure to avoid being recorded as an overstay.

Correcting errors on your I-94

If you notice incorrect information on your I-94, address it promptly, as errors in your admission stamp, class of admission, or admit until date can affect employment verification and future immigration applications. Start by checking the official CBP website to see if the electronic record has already been corrected, as discrepancies between your passport stamp and the online record are sometimes resolved automatically.

If the error persists, visit a CBP deferred inspection site in person with your passport, any previous I-94 printouts, and supporting documentation. Locations are available at cbp.gov/contact/ports. For I-94 records issued by USCIS, such as those attached to Form I-797 approval notices, corrections must be requested through Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document.

Choosing the right support partner

Immigration involves coordination across multiple agencies, including CBP, USCIS, and the Department of State, with strict documentation requirements and compliance deadlines. Understanding how your I-94 record interacts with your visa status, employment authorization, and extension filings requires attention to detail and proper planning.

Lighthouse helps foreign visitors and professionals navigate the immigration system through eligibility diagnostics, document preparation, and expert legal review. Our platform combines experienced case managers with technology built for immigration workflows, providing hands-on support for visa applications, extensions, and status changes.

Start your visa evaluation today.

FAQs

What is an I-94 form used for?

The I-94 proves your legal admission to the United States. You need it for employment verification through Form I-9, applying for a Social Security number, obtaining a driver's license, and filing USCIS applications for extensions or status changes.

Where do I check my I-94 status?

Visit i94.cbp.dhs.gov and enter your passport information to view your current record. The admit until date shows how long you can stay. The "View Compliance" feature indicates your remaining authorized time.

Is an I-94 the same as a visa?

No. Your visa authorizes travel to a U.S. port of entry, while your I-94 documents your actual admission and determines how long you can stay. You can remain in the U.S. with an expired visa if your I-94 is still valid, but you need a valid visa to reenter after traveling abroad.

How long can you stay in the U.S. with an I-94?

Until the admit until date on your I-94 record. Overstaying by 180 days or more triggers a three-year bar from reentering, while overstaying by one year or more results in a 10-year bar. D/S holders must maintain valid program status.

Who needs to fill out an I-94?

Most non-immigrant visitors need an I-94, though CBP now creates electronic records automatically for air and sea arrivals. U.S. citizens, green card holders, immigrant visa holders, and most Canadian visitors for short stays are exempt.

How to get an I-94 document?

Retrieve your electronic I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov using your passport information. Air and sea arrivals receive records at no cost. Land border travelers pay a $30 fee and may receive a paper Form I-94.

Is I-94 proof of status?

Yes. The I-94 is your official record of admission to the United States, documenting your class of admission and authorized stay period. Employers use it to verify work authorization, and government agencies require it for various applications.