Free Guide to Understanding I-94 Arrival Departure Records

What Is an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record?

The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is an official document created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that tracks when foreign nationals enter and leave the United States. This record contains important information about your entry into the country, including the date you arrived, your port of entry, and the length of time you are permitted to stay. Understanding what this document contains and how it works is fundamental to knowing your immigration status in the United States.

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Historically, travelers received a physical I-94 form—a small white card—that was stamped into their passport when they entered the U.S. Starting in 2013, CBP transitioned to an electronic I-94 system for most travelers arriving by air or sea. Today, most people arriving at airports or seaports do not receive a printed card; instead, their information is recorded electronically in the CBP database. However, travelers arriving by land may still receive a printed I-94 form.

The I-94 serves several purposes. It creates an official government record of your entry, which is used to verify your lawful presence in the United States. Immigration officers use it to determine how long you can stay. Employers may request to see it during the hiring process. Immigration courts may reference it in removal proceedings. Banks and other institutions sometimes ask for it to verify identity. Your departure from the U.S. is also recorded on the I-94, creating a complete arrival and departure history.

The information on your I-94 directly affects your legal status. Your admission status determines what you can and cannot do while in the United States. For example, if you were admitted as a tourist (B-2), you generally cannot work. If you were admitted as a student (F-1), you can work only in limited circumstances. The expiration date on your I-94—called your "status expiration date"—tells you how long you may remain in the country in that particular status, regardless of passport validity.

Practical takeaway: Treat your I-94 information as critical documentation of your legal status in the U.S., even if you don't have a physical card. Knowing your admission status and expiration date helps you understand what activities are permitted and when you must leave or change your status.

How to Access Your I-94 Record Online

The CBP has made it possible for most travelers to view their I-94 arrival and departure records through an online system called the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record website. This system allows you to look up your own records without contacting the government or paying fees. To access your record, you need to visit the official CBP website at cbp.gov/i94.

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The process is straightforward. On the I-94 website, you will find a search tool that asks for personal information. You typically need to provide your full name, date of birth, and passport number. Some travelers may be asked for additional information such as their country of citizenship or the date they arrived in the United States. The system then searches the CBP database and displays your record if found.

Once you submit your information, the system returns your I-94 record in a few seconds to a few minutes. The record displays in a format you can read on your screen. You can print this page directly from your browser, save it as a PDF file, or take screenshots. Many people choose to save a copy because this record may be needed for various purposes—applying for a job, opening a bank account, renewing a state ID, or proving your legal presence to an institution.

There are a few important points to remember about accessing your record. First, the system is free. CBP does not charge any fee to search or view your I-94 record online. Second, the system may not have your record if your entry occurred many years ago, before electronic systems were fully implemented, or if there was an error in data entry. Third, if you have traveled to the U.S. multiple times, your record will show each separate entry and departure. If you are currently in the country, your departure information may be blank or show "Not Yet Recorded."

If you cannot find your record online, you have other options. You can request your I-94 record through mail by submitting Form I-131 or Form I-539, though this takes longer and may have a fee. You can also contact CBP directly at the ports of entry or through their customer service line. Additionally, if you are working with an immigration attorney or accredited representative, they may be able to help you obtain your records through official channels.

Practical takeaway: Visit cbp.gov/i94 and save a copy of your I-94 record for your personal records. Keep multiple copies in different formats (printed, PDF, or cloud storage) so you have it when needed.

Understanding the Information on Your I-94

Your I-94 record contains several data fields, each with specific meaning. Learning what each field means helps you understand your legal status and rights in the United States. The key fields are: arrival date, departure date, port of entry, country of residence, passport number, admission status, and status expiration date.

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The arrival date shows the exact calendar date you were processed by immigration officials when you entered the U.S. This date is important because it marks the beginning of your authorized stay. Some benefits and regulations are calculated from your arrival date. The departure date shows when you left the country, recorded either when you departed or based on your travel records. If the departure field is blank or shows "Not Yet Recorded," it generally means the CBP system has not yet processed your exit or has not updated.

The port of entry identifies which airport, seaport, or land border crossing you used to enter the United States. Common ports include Newark Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International (LAX), Miami International (MIA), or San Diego's land border. This information can be useful for your own records and sometimes for verifying the legitimacy of your entry with other agencies.

Your admission status is a critical field. This two-letter or three-letter code describes the immigration category under which you were allowed to enter. Common codes include: B-1 (business visitor), B-2 (tourist), F-1 (student), H-1B (specialty occupation worker), L-1 (intra-company transferee), O-1 (individual with extraordinary ability), and TN (NAFTA professional). Your admission status determines what work you may perform, whether you can change to another status, and your legal rights while in the country. For example, B-1/B-2 visitors generally cannot work, while H-1B workers are sponsored by employers for specific jobs.

The status expiration date (often printed as "Admitted Until") is the date by which you must leave the United States or change your status if you wish to remain. It is not the same as your passport expiration date. You may have a valid passport but an expired I-94 status, which means you are out of status and must leave or take action to change your status. Conversely, your passport may have expired, but if your I-94 status is still valid, you may be able to remain in the U.S. (though you would need a valid passport to travel internationally).

Practical takeaway: Write down or photograph your admission status and status expiration date. These two pieces of information are the most important for understanding what you can do and how long you can stay.

Common Issues and Discrepancies on I-94 Records

Sometimes people discover errors or confusing information on their I-94 records. These issues can range from minor data entry mistakes to more serious problems that affect your legal status. Knowing about common issues helps you identify problems early and understand your options.

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One frequent issue is an incorrect status expiration date. An immigration officer may have written down the wrong date when processing your arrival, or the CBP database may have recorded it incorrectly. For example, you may have been told verbally that you could stay for six months, but your I-94 shows a shorter period. Another common problem is a missing or incorrect departure date. If you left the U.S. but the system still shows no departure, this can cause complications if you later try to return, apply for a visa, or prove your current status. The system may eventually update through travel records, but the correction may take weeks or months.