For foreign visitors to the United States, navigating entry and exit procedures has become significantly more streamlined. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has automated the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, eliminating the need for paper forms for most travelers arriving by air or sea. This transition not only simplifies the process but also provides easy online access to your I-94 travel history when needed.
What is Form I-94?
The Form I-94, officially known as the Arrival/Departure Record, is crucial documentation issued by CBP to foreign visitors upon entry to the U.S. It serves as a record of your lawful admission to the United States, detailing your arrival date, visa type, and authorized period of stay. Historically, this was a paper form that needed to be surrendered upon departure. Now, for many, this process is entirely electronic, making it easier to manage and access your U.S. entry and exit records.
The Shift to Electronic I-94s
CBP’s move to electronic I-94s marks a significant modernization of border control processes. By automatically gathering arrival and departure information from electronic travel records, CBP has reduced paperwork and enhanced efficiency. This automation began with air and sea arrivals and has now extended to land borders as well. Travelers arriving at land borders will also be issued I-94s electronically, doing away with the paper stub. This shift not only saves time but also reduces government costs and enhances security. It’s estimated that this automated system saves approximately $15.5 million annually.
Accessing Your I-94 Travel History Online
One of the key benefits of the electronic I-94 system is the ability to quickly access your arrival and departure records online. Whether you need to prove your legal visitor status to employers, educational institutions, or government agencies, your I-94 information is readily available through the CBP I-94 website and the CBP One™ mobile app.
How to Get Your Electronic I-94
To access your electronic I-94 and view your travel history, you can visit the CBP I-94 website. The website provides a user-friendly interface where you can retrieve your most recent I-94 or view your past entry records. Alternatively, the CBP One™ mobile app offers similar functionality, allowing you to access your I-94 information directly from your smartphone or tablet. Both platforms require you to input personal information to securely access your records.
How to Get a Paper I-94 (If Needed)
While the electronic system is the standard, there are still situations where a traveler might prefer or need a paper Form I-94. You can print your own paper I-94 form directly from the I-94 website using the “Get Most Recent I-94” option, or through the CBP One™ app. Additionally, a paper form can be requested during the inspection process at a port of entry, although these requests are typically accommodated in a secondary inspection setting to ensure smooth processing for other travelers.
I-94 and Land Border Crossings
For those entering the U.S. via land borders, the electronic I-94 system is also in place. CBP encourages travelers requiring an I-94 to utilize the CBP One™ mobile app or the CBP I-94 website to apply and obtain their I-94 in advance. This proactive approach can further expedite the entry process.
It’s particularly important for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers entering via land to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to arrival. VWP travelers are also encouraged to use the I-94 website or CBP One™ app to apply for their I-94 ahead of time.
Departure and Your I-94 Record
When departing the United States, the process for recording your departure depends on your mode of transport and how you received your I-94. For air and sea departures, CBP typically records departures electronically through manifest information provided by the carrier.
However, for travelers who received a paper Form I-94, it was previously required to surrender it to the commercial carrier, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), or CBP upon departure. If you received an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air, sea, or land and depart via land, your departure might not always be automatically recorded.
To ensure accurate departure records, especially if you have an electronic I-94 and depart via land without immediately re-entering the U.S., it’s advisable to keep evidence of your departure into Canada or Mexico. This evidence can include entry stamps in your passport from Canadian or Mexican immigration, transportation tickets, pay stubs, or other receipts. You can also request an entry stamp from CBSA when entering Canada or from the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) when entering Mexico. Maintaining such records can be helpful for future U.S. travel and to ensure your travel history is accurately documented.
Important Notice: Alphanumeric I-94 Numbers
It’s worth noting that CBP has transitioned to alphanumeric I-94 numbers. While previously I-94 numbers were 11 digits long and numeric only, they now follow an alphanumeric format of 9 digits, a letter, and a final digit, while still maintaining 11 characters total. This change was implemented to accommodate the depletion of numeric-only I-94 numbers and provide a long-term solution for generating new numbers. Importantly, unexpired I-94s issued in the previous numeric-only format remain valid until their indicated expiration date.
Conclusion
The electronic I-94 system represents a significant improvement for foreign visitors to the United States. It simplifies the entry process, reduces paperwork, and provides convenient online access to your U.S. travel history. By understanding how the electronic I-94 system works and how to access your records, you can ensure smoother travels and easily verify your visitor status when needed. Embrace the ease and efficiency of the electronic I-94 for a more seamless travel experience.
