Free Guide to I-94 Arrival and Departure Records

What Are I-94 Arrival and Departure Records?

The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is an official document that tracks when foreign nationals enter and leave the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates and maintains these records for nearly every person who crosses a U.S. border. The I-94 serves as proof of your legal entry into the country and documents the terms of your stay, including your permitted length of time in the United States.

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Historically, the I-94 was a paper form that border officials stamped into travelers' passports. In 2013, the system largely transitioned to electronic records for most travelers arriving by air or sea. Today, when you enter the United States through most ports of entry, CBP officers record your information in an automated system rather than printing a physical document. However, paper I-94 forms are still issued at some land border crossings and in certain circumstances.

The information contained in your I-94 record includes your name, date of birth, passport number, country of citizenship, arrival date, departure date (if you've already left), port of entry, and your admission class. Your admission class indicates the type of visa or status under which you entered—for example, visitor for pleasure, student, temporary worker, or permanent resident. This classification directly affects how long you may stay in the United States and what activities you may conduct while here.

Understanding what your I-94 record contains is important because many government agencies, employers, and institutions rely on this information to verify your immigration status. Schools may request it during enrollment, employers may need it for employment verification, and banks may require it for account opening. Mistakes or missing information in your I-94 record can create problems with future immigration matters, employment, or benefits.

Practical Takeaway: Your I-94 record is an official government document that proves your legal entry to the United States and shows the terms of your authorized stay. Knowing what information appears in this record helps you understand your immigration status and can prevent complications later.

How to Locate Your I-94 Record Online

The Department of Homeland Security operates a free online portal where you can view your I-94 record without paying a fee. This system, called the CBP Border Crossing Information website, allows you to retrieve your electronic arrival and departure information within minutes. You do not need to create an account, pay money, or provide credit card information to use this service.

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To locate your record, visit the official CBP website and navigate to the I-94 lookup tool. You will need to provide basic information: your full name as it appears in your passport, your date of birth, your passport number, and your country of citizenship. The system will search its database and display your most recent arrival and departure records if you have entered the United States after 2013 when the electronic system began.

The search typically returns results within seconds. If you have entered the United States multiple times, the system will show your most recent entries and departures. You can usually scroll through the records to see historical entries as well. The information displayed includes your exact arrival date, the port of entry where you crossed, your admission class, the date your authorized period of stay ends (your I-94 expiration date), and whether CBP has recorded a departure.

If you cannot find your record using the online tool, several possibilities may explain this. Records for arrivals before 2013 may only be available in paper form. If you entered by land border at certain crossings, your information might be in a different system. If you believe you should have a record but cannot locate it, you can request copies of your records from CBP by mail. This process takes longer but is still free, though you may need to provide additional information to help locate your file.

Some travelers choose to print or save their I-94 records when they first locate them online. While CBP can always regenerate these records from their database, having a copy available is convenient for reference. Many employers and schools accept printed copies of I-94 records retrieved from the official CBP website as proof of status.

Practical Takeaway: You can find your I-94 record free of charge using the official CBP online lookup tool. All you need is your name, date of birth, passport number, and country of citizenship. The search takes minutes and requires no account creation or fees.

Understanding Your I-94 Expiration Date and Authorized Period of Stay

Your I-94 record displays an expiration date, which indicates the last day you are authorized to remain in the United States under your current status. This date is not the date you must leave the country but rather the date your legal authorization expires. Understanding this distinction prevents serious immigration violations. If you remain in the United States after your I-94 expiration date without authorization, you may be considered to be in the country unlawfully, which can affect future immigration matters.

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The length of stay authorized depends on your admission class. Visitors for pleasure typically receive six months of authorized stay, though CBP officers have discretion to grant shorter periods. Students in F-1 status are generally authorized to remain for the duration of their program plus a grace period, which may extend beyond their I-94 expiration date if they maintain valid status. Temporary workers in H-1B status are authorized for the duration of their employment petition, which might be three years, six years, or another timeframe depending on their visa category. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are often authorized for the duration of their immigrant visa petition process.

Your I-94 expiration date does not automatically tell you everything about your authorized period of stay. If you are a student, your school's designated school official (DSO) maintains records of your authorized program length. If you are a temporary worker, your employer's petition sets the terms. If you are an asylee or refugee, different rules apply. Some visa categories include a grace period after the I-94 expiration date during which you remain in valid status even though your authorization technically expired.

To avoid problems, you should monitor when your I-94 approaches its expiration date. If you plan to change status, request an extension of stay, or adjust to permanent residence, you must typically file your request before your current authorization expires. Filing before expiration allows you to remain in the United States while your request is pending, even if the request is not approved before your I-94 date passes. However, if you let your I-94 expire without a pending request or authorization for a new status, you immediately enter unlawful status.

You should review your I-94 record periodically to confirm the expiration date is correct. If the date appears wrong—for instance, if you were authorized for one year but your record shows six months—you may be able to request a correction from CBP. Errors can occur, and correcting them promptly prevents future complications.

Practical Takeaway: Your I-94 expiration date shows when your current authorization to stay in the United States ends. Knowing this date helps you plan ahead and take action before your status expires. Keep track of your expiration date and take steps to extend or change your status before that date arrives.

Correcting Errors in Your I-94 Record

Errors in I-94 records, while not common, do occur and can create significant problems if left uncorrected. Common errors include misspelled names, incorrect passport numbers, wrong dates of birth, incorrect admission class, or wrong port of entry. Even small mistakes like a missing middle initial or a transposed number in your passport can cause problems when you later need to verify your status with employers or government agencies.

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If you discover an error in your I-94 record, you should act to correct it. Start by reviewing your record multiple times to confirm that what appears in the system truly differs from what appears in your passport and other official documents. Then gather your original documents: your passport, your entry documents, any official correspondence from CBP, and any other paperwork related to your arrival.

To request a correction, you contact CBP directly. For most situations, you can submit a written request by mail to the CBP office that processed your entry. Include your full name, date of birth, passport number, country of citizenship, and a detailed description of the error you believe exists. Explain what information is incorrect and what the correct information should be. Include copies (not originals) of documents that support your correction request, such as passport pages or entry documents.

The process for correcting I-94 records typically takes several weeks to several months. CBP will review your request and