For international visitors to the United States, the process of entering and exiting the country has become increasingly streamlined. No longer are paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Records required. This digital transformation means you can access your Travel History I94 information online, simplifying the process of proving your legal visitor status to employers, educational institutions, or government bodies. CBP now automatically gathers arrival and departure details from electronic travel records, making the I-94 process more efficient for everyone.
Electronic I-94s at Land Borders
The move to electronic I-94s extends to land borders as well. Travelers entering the U.S. via land ports of entry will be issued I-94s electronically, eliminating the need for paper stubs. To expedite the process further, CBP encourages travelers who require an I-94 to utilize the CBP GO mobile app or the dedicated CBP I-94 website. This is particularly beneficial for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers, who are now required to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before arriving at a U.S. land border. VWP travelers are also advised to use the I-94 website or CBP GO mobile app to apply for their I-94 in advance, ensuring a smoother entry.
Obtaining a Paper I-94 if Needed
While the electronic system is the standard, there are still options for obtaining a paper Form I-94 if needed. Travelers can print their own I-94 form directly from the I-94 website using the “Get Most Recent I-94” option, or through the CBP GO mobile application. Alternatively, a paper form can be requested during the inspection process at the border, although these requests will be handled in a secondary inspection setting.
Verifying Immigration Status and Employment Authorization
The information contained within your Form I-94 admission record is crucial for verifying immigration status and employment authorization. To access this information, travelers are encouraged to retrieve their I-94 number from the I-94 website or through the CBP GO mobile app. This online access provides a convenient way to manage and present your travel history i94 when required.
Departure Procedures and Electronic I-94s
When departing the U.S., the procedure depends on how you arrived. If you received a paper Form I-94, it should be surrendered to the commercial carrier, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), or CBP upon departure. However, with electronic I-94s issued for air, sea, or land arrivals, and departure via land, the departure recording process differs. Your departure may not be automatically recorded if you leave via land unless you re-enter the U.S. before the expiration date stamped in your passport. A departure will be recorded if you depart via land and re-enter the United States prior to the expiration date stamped in your passport.
For travelers who are not residents of Canada or Mexico and depart via land without re-entering the U.S. before their I-94 expires, it’s advisable to carry evidence of your departure into Canada or Mexico. Acceptable evidence can include 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 to ensure a record of your departure.
For departures via air or sea, CBP will electronically record your departure using manifest information provided by the carrier or directly by CBP.
Benefits of Automation
This automation of the I-94 process offers numerous benefits. It streamlines the entry process for travelers, enhances security measures, and reduces federal costs. CBP estimates that this automated system saves the agency approximately $15.5 million annually. For more detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions, refer to the I-94 Fact Sheet.
Important Notice: Alphanumeric I-94 Numbers
Please note that starting in May 2019, I-94 numbers transitioned to an alphanumeric format. Previously, I-94 numbers were 11 digits long and contained only numbers. To address the depletion of numeric-only I-94 numbers and create a sustainable solution for generating new numbers, CBP implemented alphanumeric I-94s. These new I-94 numbers remain 11 characters long but follow a format of 9 digits, followed by a letter in the 10th position, and a digit in the 11th position. Rest assured, unexpired I-94s issued in the previous numeric-only format remain valid until the “Admit Until Date” printed on the paper I-94 or displayed on the I-94 website.
By understanding these changes, international visitors can navigate the U.S. entry and exit process more efficiently and easily access their travel history i94 information online when needed.
