Learn About Your I-94 Arrival and Departure Record

What Is an I-94 Arrival and Departure Record?

The I-94 Arrival and Departure Record is an official document created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that tracks when foreign nationals enter and leave the United States. This record contains important information about your visit, including your arrival date, departure date, and the class of admission under which you entered the country. Understanding this document is essential for anyone traveling to, staying in, or departing from the United States.

The I-94 has existed since the 1950s but changed significantly in 2013. Before April 2013, travelers received a physical I-94 form — a small paper document that was stapled into their passport. The form listed the date you arrived, where you entered, and the date by which you had to leave. Today, the I-94 is digital and stored in a U.S. government database. Most travelers no longer receive a physical copy in their passport, though the record still exists in the system.

Your I-94 record matters because it officially documents your legal presence in the United States. Immigration officers use it to verify when you entered the country and under what terms. If you stay beyond the date shown on your I-94, you may be considered to have overstayed your visa. Banks, employers, and schools may request your I-94 information to verify your immigration status. Understanding what information is on your I-94 and how to access it protects you from mistakes and legal complications.

The I-94 applies to most foreign nationals entering the United States, with some exceptions. Canadian citizens and certain other travelers may have different entry procedures. The record tracks both air and land border entries. If you travel frequently between the United States and Canada or Mexico, you will have multiple I-94 records — one for each entry.

Practical Takeaway: Your I-94 is your official entry record in the U.S. government system. It is not a visa — it is proof that you have been admitted to the country and shows the dates of your authorized stay. Keep track of your I-94 information, especially your departure date, to avoid overstaying your permission to remain in the United States.

How to Access Your I-94 Record Online

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency provides a free online tool where you can look up your I-94 record. The official website is located at cbp.gov/i94. This tool allows you to view, print, and save your arrival and departure information without paying any fees or submitting paperwork to the government.

To retrieve your I-94 record, you will need to provide specific personal information. The system typically requires your passport number, passport country, date of birth, and family name. The tool then searches the CBP database and displays your record if it exists. The entire process takes only a few minutes. You do not need to create an account or log in — you can access the tool directly from the CBP website each time you need it.

The online I-94 retrieval tool displays several key pieces of information. Your record shows your arrival date at a U.S. port of entry, your departure date (if you have already left), your class of admission, and the expiration date of your authorized stay. Some records also show the port where you entered — such as New York JFK Airport, the San Diego land border crossing, or Miami International Airport. If your departure date is blank, it means the system shows you are still in the United States or your departure has not yet been recorded.

If you cannot find your record online, several reasons may explain this. If you arrived before April 2013, your I-94 record may still be a physical document in your passport rather than in the digital system. If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or traveled on a NEXUS card, your record may not appear in this tool — CBP stores these records differently. If you recently arrived, there may be a delay of a few hours or occasionally up to one business day before your record appears in the system.

Practical Takeaway: Visit cbp.gov/i94 to retrieve and print your I-94 record. You can access this tool for free from any computer with internet access. Print a copy of your record shortly after arriving in the United States and keep it with your important travel documents. Having a printed copy protects you if questions arise about your entry date or authorized stay period.

Understanding Your I-94 Information and What Each Field Means

Your I-94 record contains several fields, and understanding what each one means helps you verify that your entry information is correct. The most important field is your "Admitted Until" date — this is the date by which you must leave the United States or take action to extend or change your status. This date is not your visa expiration date; it is the date by which your current permission to stay expires. Many people confuse these two things, which can lead to overstaying accidentally.

The "Class of Admission" field shows the category under which you entered the United States. Common classes of admission include "WT" for a visitor for pleasure (tourist), "B1" for a business visitor, "F1" for a student, "H1B" for a specialty occupation worker, and "L1" for an intracompany transferee. Your class of admission determines what activities you are allowed to do while in the country. For example, if you entered under "WT," you are not supposed to work. If you entered under "F1," you must maintain your student status. Understanding your class helps you know what is and is not allowed during your stay.

Your I-94 also lists your port of entry — the specific location where you entered the United States. This might be "New York JFK," "Los Angeles International," "San Ysidro" (the San Diego-Tijuana land border), or another port. This field documents where immigration officials recorded your arrival. If you entered through a land border, the port name identifies which crossing. This information is useful if you need to contact CBP later about your entry.

The "Arrival Date" field shows the exact date you were admitted to the United States. For air travelers, this is typically the date your plane landed. For land border travelers, this is the date you crossed. The "Departure Date" field remains blank until you leave the country and CBP records your departure. Not all departure dates are recorded immediately — sometimes there is a delay of several days or weeks before the system updates, particularly for land border crossings.

Practical Takeaway: The most critical date on your I-94 is your "Admitted Until" date — this is your deadline. Mark this date in your calendar and plan your departure, visa extension, or status change before this date arrives. Do not confuse this date with your passport expiration date or visa expiration date. Review all information on your I-94 soon after arrival and report any errors immediately to CBP.

Correcting Errors on Your I-94 Record

Sometimes I-94 records contain errors. A data entry mistake, a problem reading your passport, or confusion at the border can result in incorrect information being recorded. Common errors include a wrong name spelling, an incorrect date of birth, a wrong passport number, or an incorrect "Admitted Until" date. If you notice an error on your I-94, you should report it and request a correction, because an error could affect your ability to travel, work, or maintain your immigration status.

If you find an error on your online I-94 record, the CBP website provides a process for reporting it. From the main I-94 page, you can find a link to report an error or discrepancy. You will need to provide your personal information again and describe the error you found. CBP reviews these reports and investigates. If an error is confirmed, CBP staff will correct the record in the system. However, this process takes time — corrections may take several business days to several weeks depending on the complexity of the error and CBP's workload.

In some cases, you may need to contact CBP directly to report an error, particularly if the online form does not resolve your issue. CBP maintains a customer service phone line and email system for I-94 inquiries. The phone line is typically available during business hours. When you contact CBP, have your passport ready and be prepared to explain exactly what information is incorrect and what the correct information should be. Provide any documentation that supports your claim, such as your passport, visa, or travel records.

If the error affects your ability to