Form I-94 Form: How to Get, Check, and Correct Your Record

If you’ve entered the United States as a visitor, student, or worker, you may need proof of exactly how and when you were admitted. That proof is your Form I-94 form, also called the I-94 arrival/departure record. Most travelers who arrive by air or sea can retrieve it for free on the official CBP website at i94.cbp.dhs.gov by entering their passport details and selecting “Get Most Recent I-94.”

This guide explains what the record shows, how to find it, how to read it, and what to do if something looks wrong.

What Is Form I-94 Form?

Form I-94 form is the record U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates when it admits or paroles a noncitizen into the United States. It generally shows how you were admitted (your class of admission) and how long you may stay (your admit-until date or status notation).

For most air and sea arrivals, CBP creates the record electronically, so you won’t be handed a card at the airport. Certain land-border travelers may receive a paper record instead. You can also apply for one in advance, which we’ll cover below.

A quick note on terms: “admission” is the formal permission to enter the country. “Parole” is a separate, discretionary way of allowing someone to enter temporarily, and it’s recorded on the I-94 too.

What Information Appears on an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record?

An I-94 record typically lists your name, date of birth, passport number and country, I-94 number, date of arrival, class of admission, and the admit-until date. The exact layout can differ depending on how and where you were admitted.

Here’s what each item means:

• I-94 number: An alphanumeric identifier for your admission record. CBP moved from an 11-digit numeric format to an alphanumeric one in 2019.
• Class of admission: The category CBP admitted you under, such as B-2 (visitor), F-1 (student), or H-1B (specialty worker).
• Admit Until Date: The date through which you were authorized to stay, or a notation such as “D/S,” short for “duration of status,” which is commonly used for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
• Most recent date of entry and port of entry: When and where you were admitted.

CBP’s own system describes the “Get Most Recent I-94” result as showing your I-94 number, most recent date of entry, class of admission, and admit-until date.

Who Needs an I-94 Record?

Most noncitizens who are admitted to the United States have an I-94 record. According to USA.gov, people who generally don’t need one include U.S. citizens, returning lawful permanent residents, noncitizens entering with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit.

That means tourists, students, exchange visitors, temporary workers, and their dependents typically have one. You’ll often need it for things like:

• Applying for a driver’s license or state ID
• Completing Form I-9 employment verification
• Filing certain USCIS applications
• Showing a school, employer, or benefits agency your authorized stay

Not every traveler has to submit a separate I-94 application before arriving. If you fly or sail in, CBP issues the electronic record during inspection. A separate application mostly matters for people arriving at land ports.

How to Get an I-94 Form Online: Step-by-Step Instructions

To get your I-94 online, go to the official CBP I-94 website, choose “Get Most Recent I-94,” and enter the information requested. It’s free to retrieve an existing electronic record.

1. Go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Make sure you’re on the official government site. Unofficial lookalike sites sometimes charge fees or collect more personal data than necessary.
2. Select “Get Most Recent I-94.”
3. Read and accept the terms of service.
4. Enter your name, date of birth, passport number, and passport country of issuance, exactly as they appear on the passport you used to enter.
5. Review the result, then print or save it.

Give the system a few days after you arrive. New admissions don’t always appear immediately.

Is Retrieving an I-94 the Same as Applying for One?

No, and this is a common point of confusion. Retrieving an existing electronic record, applying for a new I-94 in advance, requesting a correction, and seeking replacement documentation are four different things.

If you’re arriving at a land port of entry, you may apply for an I-94 in advance through the CBP website or the CBP One app. USA.gov states that the fee for this increased from $6 to $30 on September 30, 2025, and that the application can be submitted within seven days before entry. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm the current details with CBP before you apply.

How to Complete an I-94 Record Lookup

An I-94 record lookup depends mostly on entering your information exactly as it appears on your passport. Most failed searches come from small mismatches.

Before you start, gather this checklist:

• The passport you used for your most recent entry (not a newer or older one)
• Your name spelled exactly as printed, including middle names if shown
• Your date of birth in the format the site requests
• The passport’s issuing country
• Your approximate arrival date and port of entry, in case you need to contact CBP later

If the search returns nothing, try again carefully, then wait a few days if you entered very recently. A search can also return an older admission instead of your latest one. That’s worth documenting and, if it matters for a filing, raising with CBP.

How to Find Your I-94 Number

Your I-94 number appears on your electronic I-94 record, and on a paper record if you received one. You can also find it on a USCIS approval notice (Form I-797A) when USCIS has approved an extension or change of status.

To find it online, follow the steps above and look at the top of your retrieved record. Keep in mind that you’ll have a new I-94 number each time you’re admitted, so make sure you’re using the number from the admission relevant to your task.

How to Check Your I-94 Admission Date and Admit-Until Date

Look for the “Admit Until Date” and your class of admission. Compare them with your visa documents, I-20, DS-2019, or approval notice.

A few reminders:

• The admit-until date shows how long CBP authorized you to stay in that admission. It’s not always the same as your visa expiration date.
• Some records show “D/S” instead of a calendar date. Don’t assume this means unlimited stay. It ties your authorized stay to the continuation of your status and program.
• Not every record has a conventional calendar expiration date, so read the notation carefully.

If an extension or change of status has been approved by USCIS, the approval notice and its attached I-94 may control the new period of stay. Rules vary by classification, so an immigration attorney can help if your documents seem inconsistent.

How to Check I-94 Travel History and Arrival/Departure Records

Select “View Travel History” on the CBP I-94 site. CBP’s FAQ says it displays arrival and departure dates and ports for the past ten years for eligible travelers, though availability and results can vary.

The travel history is based on information in CBP systems, including airline manifests. That means it may not be complete or perfectly accurate. If you see a missing departure or an unfamiliar trip, don’t ignore it, especially if you plan to file a USCIS application. CBP’s FAQ directs travelers to its Traveler Communication Center web form and to the topic “I-94/Traveler Compliance,” with the issue “Issue with my I-94/Travel History.”

Don’t confuse your most recent I-94 with your travel history. The first is your admission record. The second is a list of entries and exits.

Is Form I-94 the Same as a Visa?

No. A visa lets you apply for admission at a port of entry, while the I-94 records the admission CBP actually granted. Think of the visa as the key that gets you to the door, and the I-94 as the record of how long you were allowed inside.

It’s also different from other documents:

• Passport: Your identity and nationality document.
• Visa: A foreign-passport stamp or foil used to seek admission, issued by a U.S. consulate.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): Shows permission to work, not your admission.
• Approval notice (such as I-797): Shows USCIS approved a petition or application.

An I-94 alone doesn’t grant immigration status or guarantee lawful presence in every situation. It’s one important piece of evidence.

What Is the Difference Between an I-94 Expiration Date and a Visa Expiration Date?

The visa expiration date shows how long you can use the visa to seek admission; the I-94 admit-until date shows how long you may stay after being admitted. They can be very different.

For example, someone with a visa valid for several years may be admitted for a much shorter period. Someone else may stay beyond the visa’s expiration date if their admit-until date or status allows it, because the visa only governs entry. Staying past the authorized period can cause serious problems, including trouble with future visas and admissions, so check the date and plan ahead.

How to Download or Print an I-94 Record

After you retrieve the record on the CBP site, use the print option, or choose “Save as PDF” in your browser’s print window. The result pages are designed to be printable.

Consider saving a copy after every entry. Keeping your own file makes life easier if the online system is down or the record is later difficult to retrieve. Students and workers often keep a printout with their passport and visa documents.

What to Do if Your I-94 Record Is Missing or Incorrect

First, double-check your search information. Then wait a few days if you just arrived, and contact CBP if the problem persists.

Common issues include:

• A misspelled name or wrong date of birth
• An incorrect class of admission
• A wrong admit-until date
• No record at all for your latest entry

If you’re still at the airport, ask to speak with a CBP officer before leaving the inspection area, since it’s often faster to fix a problem right away. Take pictures of your passport entry stamp (if any), and compare your I-94 with your supporting documents.

How to Request an I-94 Correction or Replacement

The right path depends on what’s wrong.

1. Missing record or incorrect admission information: Contact CBP through the Traveler Communication Center web form, or contact a CBP Deferred Inspection Site or port of entry. CBP’s FAQ says travelers admitted incorrectly should visit a deferred inspection site or port of entry. Contact methods vary by location; some sites accept email while others require in-person visits. Find locations on CBP’s website.
2. Incorrect travel history: Use the CBP help form described above. Travel history relies on several data sources, so it may not be corrected the same way as an admission record.
3. Records you can’t retrieve online: CBP has indicated that a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request may be necessary in some cases.
4. Approved extension or change of status: Your USCIS Form I-797A approval notice with its attached I-94 is the key document. Contact USCIS if that notice contains an error.

Be ready to provide supporting documents such as your passport biographic page, visa, entry stamp, and any I-20, DS-2019, or approval notice. If the error might affect a pending case, a work authorization, or your status, it makes sense to speak with a qualified immigration attorney before filing.

Common I-94 Mistakes Travelers and Immigrants Should Avoid

• Never checking the record after entry. Errors are easier to fix soon after arrival.
• Confusing the visa date with the admit-until date. These are separate.
• Ignoring “D/S.” It’s a status notation, not a calendar date.
• Using unofficial websites. Stick with CBP’s official site.
• Entering information that doesn’t match the passport. Use the exact spelling and passport number from your entry.
• Waiting too long to save a copy. Print or save a PDF after each admission.
• Assuming a record can’t be wrong. Officers sometimes make mistakes.
• Ignoring odd travel-history entries. They can surface in later applications.
• Skipping the check after a USCIS approval. Compare the approval notice’s I-94 dates with your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form I-94 used for?

Form I-94 records your admission to the United States, including your class of admission and authorized period of stay. People use it to show how and when they entered, and it’s often needed for employment verification, driver’s license applications, and certain immigration filings.

How do I get my I-94 form online?

Visit the official CBP I-94 website, select “Get Most Recent I-94,” accept the terms, and enter your name, date of birth, and passport information exactly as they appear on your passport. Review the results, then print or save them. Retrieving an existing record is free.

How can I find my I-94 number?

Your I-94 number appears on your electronic record, which you can retrieve from CBP’s website, and on a paper I-94 if you received one. A USCIS Form I-797A approval notice may also include an I-94 number if USCIS approved an extension or change of status.

How do I check my I-94 expiration or admit-until date?

Retrieve your most recent record from the CBP I-94 website and look for “Admit Until Date.” Some records show “D/S” (duration of status) instead of a calendar date. Compare the result with your supporting documents to make sure it matches your intended status.

Can I download and print my I-94?

Yes. After retrieving your record on the CBP website, use the print option or choose “Save as PDF” in your browser’s print window. It’s smart to save a copy after each entry in case the online system is unavailable later.

What should I do if my I-94 information is incorrect?

Gather your passport, visa, and supporting documents, then contact CBP through its Traveler Communication Center form or a CBP Deferred Inspection Site or port of entry. Methods vary by location. If the error could affect your status or a pending case, consider consulting a qualified immigration attorney.

Is my I-94 date different from my visa expiration date?

Often, yes. A visa expiration date generally relates to how long you can use the visa to seek admission. The I-94 admit-until date relates to how long you may remain after admission. Always follow the I-94 date or notation, not the visa date, when planning your stay.

What should I do if I cannot find my I-94 record?

Recheck that your information matches your passport exactly, and allow a few days after a recent arrival. If it still doesn’t appear, contact CBP through its help form or a deferred inspection site. In some situations, a FOIA request may be necessary.

Conclusion

Your Form I-94 form is one of the most important records you’ll have as a noncitizen in the United States, yet it’s easy to overlook. Retrieve it after each entry, check your class of admission and admit-until date, and save a copy. If something is wrong, act early and gather your supporting documents.

If you have questions about how an I-94 record may affect your immigration situation, Orange Law can help you explore your options. Contact the firm to discuss your circumstances. Many travelers can retrieve their I-94 on their own, but a qualified immigration attorney can be a valuable resource if your situation is complicated.