For international visitors to the United States, the process of entering and exiting the country has become significantly more streamlined. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has transitioned from paper-based Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Records to an electronic system. This shift simplifies procedures and offers convenient online access to your travel history, specifically your I-94 record. Understanding how to access and utilize your Travel History I94 is crucial for various administrative needs within the U.S.
What is the I-94 and Why is it Important for Your Travel History?
The Form I-94, or Arrival/Departure Record, is a document issued by CBP to foreign visitors entering the United States. It officially records your entry and departure, and is essential for documenting your authorized stay in the country. This record serves as proof of legal visitor status, often required by employers, educational institutions, and government agencies. Historically, this was a paper form, but now, for air and sea arrivals, and increasingly at land borders, the process is electronic. This electronic record is your travel history i94.
Accessing Your Electronic I-94 Travel History Online
CBP has made accessing your travel history i94 incredibly straightforward. You no longer need to worry about keeping a paper stub. All your arrival and departure information is now automatically gathered from electronic travel records. To access this information, you can visit the official CBP I-94 website. This website allows you to “Get Most Recent I-94,” providing you with your electronic arrival record.
Alternatively, for added convenience, CBP offers the CBP One™ mobile application. This app provides similar functionality, allowing you to access your I-94 information directly from your smartphone or tablet. Using either the website or the app, you can easily retrieve your travel history i94 whenever you need it.
Alt text: Screenshot of the CBP I-94 website interface, highlighting the “Get Most Recent I-94” button, used to access your electronic travel history and I-94 record.
I-94 at Land Borders and the Visa Waiver Program
While electronic I-94s are standard for air and sea travel, land border crossings are also increasingly utilizing this system. Travelers entering the U.S. via land borders will generally be issued I-94s electronically, eliminating the paper stub. CBP encourages travelers needing an I-94, especially at land borders, to utilize the CBP One™ mobile app or the CBP I-94 website to apply in advance.
For travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), remember that an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is mandatory before arriving at a U.S. land border. VWP travelers are also advised to use the I-94 website or CBP One™ app to apply for their I-94 ahead of time, further streamlining their entry process and ensuring their travel history i94 is accurately recorded.
Paper I-94 Forms: When and How to Obtain One
Although the electronic system is now dominant, there might be instances where a traveler prefers a paper Form I-94. You can still obtain a paper form if needed. The most convenient way is to print your own I-94 Form from the I-94 website by using the “Get Most Recent I-94” option. This same option is available on the CBP One™ mobile application.
If you require a paper form and haven’t printed one in advance, you can request it during the inspection process at the border. However, be aware that such requests will typically be accommodated in a secondary inspection setting, which may take additional time.
Verifying Immigration Status and Departure Procedures
Your I-94 admission record is vital for verifying immigration status and employment authorization. Always use the official I-94 website or the CBP One™ mobile app to “Get I-94 Number” when you need to verify this information.
When departing the U.S., the procedure depends on how you received your I-94. If you were issued a paper Form I-94, you should surrender it to the commercial carrier, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), or CBP upon departure. However, if you received an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air, sea, or land, and depart via land, your departure might not be automatically recorded.
Departure is generally recorded if you leave via land and re-enter the U.S. before your permitted stay expires. If you are not a resident of Canada or Mexico, received an electronic I-94, and depart via land without re-entering before the expiration date, it’s advisable to carry evidence of your departure into Canada or Mexico. Acceptable evidence includes entry stamps in your passport, transportation tickets, pay stubs, or other receipts. You can request an entry stamp from CBSA when entering Canada or from the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) when entering Mexico.
For departures via air or sea, CBP electronically records your departure through manifest information provided by the carrier.
Benefits of Automation and the Future of I-94
The automation of the I-94 process offers numerous advantages. It streamlines the entry process for travelers, enhances security, and significantly reduces federal costs. CBP estimates annual savings of $15.5 million due to this automated system.
It’s also important to note that I-94 numbers are now alphanumeric, transitioning from the previous 11-digit numeric format. This change, implemented in May 2019, ensures a long-term solution for generating new I-94 numbers. Regardless of the format, unexpired I-94s remain valid until their indicated “Admit Until Date.”
For more detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions, refer to the I-94 Fact Sheet on the CBP website. Understanding and utilizing your electronic travel history i94 is now an essential part of international travel to the United States.
