Form I-94

Form I-94
Front Side
Back Side

An I-94 is a form denoting the Arrival-Departure Record of particular foreigners used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses Form I-94 also. Form I-94 must be completed at the time of entry to the United States by foreign citizens that are being admitted into the United States in a non-immigrant visa status.^[1] While citizens of the countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program list^[2], who are entering the United States via an air or seaport for 90 days or less and who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are required to complete an I-94W ("Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form"), these visitors must now also obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States. It is expected that the I-94W form requirement will be dropped after a transitional period.^[3].

A completed Form I-94 is presented by the foreign citizen at the port of entry to the United States to a CBP Officer, who stamps the form and gives the final approval for admission of the foreign citizen into the United States in a specific non-immigrant status for a specific authorized period.^[4]

As a general rule, non-U.S. citizens who are also non-U.S. permanent residents [1]departing the United States are required to surrender (typically to the airline or ship representative) their Form I-94 when leaving the United States, so that their departure can be properly recorded by the CBP Officers. When departing the United States for Canada or Mexico (only), for a trip of less than 30 days, it is not required to surrender the I-94 ^[5].

If the I-94 form is lost or stolen while the non-immigrant is in the United States, a replacement form may be requested from USCIS. ^[6]

While in the United States, non-immigrant visitors^{[clarification needed]} (but not VWP visitors) may apply for a change of non-immigrant visa status from one category to another or for an extension of the previous non-immigrant status by filing form Form I-539 with USCIS.^[7] Upon approving such application, USCIS issues an approval notice, the bottom portion of which is a new Form I-94 for the non-immigrant, reflecting that visitor's new or extended non-immigrant visa status and also showing a new authorization period for that status.

See also

• Electronic System for Travel Authorization

References

External links

• USCIS: Form I-94 (PDF)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: I-94 Instructions
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Filling Out Form I-94
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: FAQs on the Arrival-Departure Record (I-94 Form) & Crewman Landing Permit (I-95 Form)
• "DHS Reminds Visa Waiver Program Travelers of ESTA Requirements Effective Today", United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary, January 12, 2009