The I-94 Form is one of the most important documents for foreign visitors to the US. This form, which is a record of a non-immigrant’s entry and exit by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is issued upon entry to the United States. It is important for the purpose of knowing how long a visitor can legally stay. The process involved filling out a physical I-94 form as well and submitting it at an immigration checkpoint.read more In this guide, you can find out more about the I-94 form, what it is and how to apply, as well as how to retrieve it and the common issues travelers may experience.
What Is The I-94 Form?
The i-94 form is used for non-U. S. citizens when entering the United States. It is used to monitor the ingress and egress of visitors. The form includes basic details like the name of the traveler, their passport number, visa type, and the allowed period of stay.
The I-94 was a physical document stapled into a traveler’s passport. But since April 2013, with the exception of certain land border crossings, CBP has replaced the paper form with an electronic record. Recently, travelers have also been able to verify their I-94 Form online at the CBP website.
How To Apply For An I-94 Form
In summary, most travelers do not have to apply for the I-94 form themselves; the entering into the U.S. automatically provides an I-94 Form. But those entering across land borders may have to fill out the form online before arriving at the port of entry. It involves the following steps:
Arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry — Upon entering the U.S., travelers’ documentation (e.g., their visa and passport) will be reviewed and evaluated by CBP officers.
Then officers enter the traveler’s information into the system, generating an electronic I-94 record.
Issuance of Admission Stamp – Travelers are issued an admission stamp on his/her passport confirming his/her visa type, and the duration of stay.
Print the I-94 Record – Travelers must visit the CBP website and enter their passport and travel information to access and print their i-94.net records.
Crossers entering by land are urged to fill out the I-94 form online in advance, which the government said will expedite the process at the border.
How to Access And View Your I-94 Form
The I-94 Form form is now mostly electronic, and travelers may be required to retrieve their records if they wish to stay in the U.S. longer or seek a change of status on their visa. Here’s how to check your I-94 record:
Step 3: Tap “Get Most Recent i-94.net” You’ll be able to see your most recent travel information.
Fill Out Required Information – Provide details such as passport number, country of issuance, and date of birth.
Downloading and Printing – Better to keep it printed for reference and verification
Travelers who find that the information is not correct or missing should reach out to CBP as soon as possible to correct any mistakes.
Common Issues and Solutions I-94 Form
The electronic departure and entry system is a streamlined process; however, travelers might still run into problems with their I-94 records. Some common problems include:
Incorrect Entry of Data – Errors in names, passport numbers or visa categories mean trouble. Solution: Call the nearest CBP office and ask to have them correct it.
I-94 and Visa Duration Mismatch — In certain circumstances, the I-94 chronological expiration date may not correspond with the visa validity period. Q: My visa is valid until July 2024, but my I-94 (the issue date stamped on my passport) is until July 2023. Would I need to leave before then?’solution: it is the i-94.net that determines your legal duration of stay; you have to comply with the date on the I-94.
Lost or Missing I-94 Record – If the traveler is unable to retrieve their I-94 Form, they may need to file Form I-102 to request a replacement.
Issues at Land Borders — Travelers who are entering via land borders may still be given a paper i-94 form that needs to be returned upon departure to prevent complications when traveling later on.
Departure And Compliance With I-94 Form Rules
You must complete the correct departure documentation, prior to leaving the U.S. The CBP does use electronic exit tracking for most travelers, but paper I-94 Form holders must give those back when they leave the U.S. If you do not, then it can complicate future entries.
To prevent overstaying, travelers should:
Look them up on the admissions I-94 Form expiration date.
Leave the U.S. by that date.
If appropriatetransition visas/extensions or adjust status before expiration
Staying there for over the permitted duration may lead to cancellation of the visa, restrictions for travel in future and ineligibility for some visas to the United States.
Wrapping It Up
One important document for non-immigrant visitors is the I-94 form, proof of lawful entry and length of stay in the United States. As part of the transition to an electronic I-94 system, retrieval and management of I-94 records has been made much easier. You cannot repeat your actions on your other trip. This limited amount of travel will all be done using the I-94 system to move in or out of the country, and it must be done properly.
