The I-94 is your Arrival/Departure Record: the official record U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates when most foreign visitors enter the United States. It shows your class of admission and the date you're allowed to stay until. For air and sea arrivals it's created electronically, and you can view or print your most recent I-94 for free on the official site, i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
This guide is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Always confirm details on the official CBP I-94 page.
What Is the CBP I-94?
Form I-94 is the arrival and departure record for nonimmigrant visitors to the United States. CBP stopped using paper forms at air and sea ports in April 2013 and now gathers the information automatically from electronic travel records. Land border ports also issue I-94s electronically today, so travelers no longer receive a paper stub.
You'll need your I-94 to prove your lawful admission and status, for example when applying for benefits or changing status with USCIS, or when an employer verifies work authorization.
Who Needs an I-94?
Most foreign visitors entering the United States are issued an I-94. Generally not required:
- U.S. citizens
- Returning resident aliens (green card holders)
- People entering with immigrant visas
- Most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit
Canadian tourists and business travelers admitted at land ports, and Mexican nationals with Border Crossing Cards traveling within the border zone for a limited time, are generally exempt. Canadians admitted at air and sea ports may still receive an electronic I-94.
How to Get or Print Your I-94 Online
- Go to the official site i94.cbp.dhs.gov. CBP's official mobile app also offers this feature. Avoid third-party sites that charge for it.
- Select Get Most Recent I-94.
- Enter your first name, last name, date of birth, passport number and passport country of issuance exactly as they appear in the passport you traveled on.
- View, save or print the record. There is no fee to retrieve it.
If the record doesn't appear, try variations of your name (for example a middle name included or left out) and double-check the passport number. Records can take a short time to appear after arrival.
What's on Your I-94 Record
- I-94 number. Since May 2019 these are alphanumeric: 9 digits, then a letter, then a digit. Older numeric I-94s stay valid until their Admit Until Date.
- Class of admission, such as B-1 (business visitor), B-2 (tourist) or H-1B.
- Admit Until Date, the date you must leave by. Students and exchange visitors in F or J status often see D/S (duration of status) instead of a date.
- Most recent date of entry
I-94 vs Visa: What's the Difference?
| U.S. visa | I-94 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | U.S. Department of State (consulate) | CBP at the port of entry |
| What it does | Lets you travel to a U.S. port and ask to be admitted | Records the admission actually granted |
| Controls how long you can stay? | No | Yes, through the Admit Until Date (or D/S) |
| Where to find it | Stamp in your passport | Online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov |
A common mistake is assuming the visa expiry date is when you must leave. The date that matters for your stay is the one on your I-94.
Land Border Crossings: Applying in Advance
Travelers entering by land can apply for a provisional I-94 online before they arrive:
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Fee | $30 per application (a $6 fee plus a $24 fee added effective September 30, 2025) |
| Timing | You must arrive at a land border or eligible ferry port within 7 days of applying |
| Refunds | No refunds if you don't arrive in time or are refused admission |
| Visa Waiver travelers | Need an approved ESTA before applying |
The provisional I-94 isn't final. A CBP officer still inspects you and decides on admission when you arrive.
How to Fix an Error or Replace an I-94
- CBP made the error (for example a misspelled name, wrong admission date or wrong class): don't file a USCIS form. Contact the nearest CBP port of entry or a CBP deferred inspection office. Each office sets its own process, and some accept email requests.
- Lost electronic I-94 from an air or sea arrival: simply print it again from the I-94 website.
- I-94 issued by USCIS with an error, or a lost paper I-94: use USCIS Form I-102. If USCIS caused the error, no fee is generally required.
How Your Departure Is Recorded
When you leave by air or sea, CBP records your departure electronically from the carrier's manifest. Departures by land may not be recorded accurately. CBP suggests that non-residents of Canada or Mexico who leave by land keep evidence of departure, such as an entry stamp from Canada or Mexico.
For Business Travelers
If you or your suppliers visit the U.S. for trade shows, factory visits or customer meetings, check that each traveler's I-94 shows the right class of admission and a stay that covers the trip. For cargo rather than people, the documents that matter are different: see our guides to CBP Form 3461, the CBP 7501 entry summary and the US customs clearance process.
All CBP Forms: Quick Directory
Every CBP form guide on our site, grouped by what you're doing:
- Importing and entry: CBP Form 5106 importer number · CBP Form 3461 entry/immediate delivery · CBP Form 7501 entry summary · CBP Form 301 customs bond · CBP Form 5291 power of attorney · CBP Form 4811 special address notification · CBP Form 400 ACH debit application · CBP Form 7523 duty-free entry and manifest
- Notices, detentions and disputes: CBP Form 28 and 29 information requests / notice of action · CBP Form 4647 notice to mark or redeliver · CBP Form 6051D detention notice · CBP Form 5955A penalty / liquidated damages notice · CBP Form 19 protest
- In-bond moves, warehouses and FTZs: CBP Form 7512 transportation entry · CBP Form 6043 delivery ticket · CBP Form 3499 manipulate, sample or transfer goods · CBP Form 3078 identification card
- Exports, returns and drawback: CBP Form 3311 returned American goods · CBP Form 4455 certificate of registration · CBP Form 3495 export under special bond · CBP Form 7553 drawback notice of intent
- Carriers and conveyances: CBP Form 1300 vessel entrance or clearance · CBP Form 7507 aircraft general declaration · CBP Form 7533 inward cargo manifest
- Travelers: CBP Form 6059B customs declaration · CBP Form 4457 personal effects registration · CBP Form 3299 unaccompanied articles · CBP I-94 arrival/departure record (this page)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CBP I-94?
The I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates for most foreign visitors when they enter the United States. It shows how you were admitted and how long you are allowed to stay.
How do I get my I-94?
Go to the official I-94 website at i94.cbp.dhs.gov, choose "Get Most Recent I-94" and enter your passport details exactly as they appear in your passport. You can view, save or print the record for free.
Is the I-94 the same as a visa?
No. A visa lets you travel to a U.S. port of entry and ask to be admitted. The I-94 records the admission CBP actually granted, including the date you must leave by. You can have a valid I-94 with an expired visa, and the other way round.
How much does an I-94 cost?
Electronic I-94s issued at air and sea ports carry no separate fee. If you apply online in advance for a provisional I-94 to enter at a land border, the fee is $30 per application as of September 30, 2025.
How do I fix a mistake on my I-94?
If CBP made the error, contact the nearest CBP port of entry or deferred inspection office. If the I-94 was issued by USCIS with an error, you generally use USCIS Form I-102.
