I-94 Process

• CBP webpage for international travelers

• CBP I-94 Quick Reference Guide for Local, State and Federal Agencies (contains different versions of the I-94)

Entry via Air or Sea Ports

You will receive a passport stamp, which should reflect the information in your electronic I-94 record. ISSS recommends you access your I-94 record to check that it is correct within 10 days after your arrival  print a PDF and/or save a screenshot of your electronic I-94 within 10 days after your arrival.

Entry via a Land Border

You will receive a paper I-94 card and should immediately check that the I-94 is properly annotated for your immigration category and duration of stay. The I-94 must be turned in to CBP upon departure from the US, except for short trips to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands. For individuals departing by air, the forms are usually collected by airline officials.

US VISIT

US VISIT is a tracking system in which all foreign nationals (with limited exceptions) are registered upon entering the US. Photographs and fingerprint scans are taken, then this biometric data is matched and stored with the individual's passport information, immigration status, US visa number, and other information. US VISIT is currently in place at many airports and seaports across the United States. 

• F and J status holders should have the notation D/S (Duration of Status) on their I-94, meaning that they can remain in the U.S. as long as they comply with the terms and conditions of their immigration status.

• New F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and their dependents may enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the program start date indicated on I-20/DS-2019.

• H-1B, O-1, and E-3 status holders and their dependents, and TN workers and their dependents, will have specific departure dates written on their I-94, usually corresponding to the employment end dates.

• If entered via a land border, the CBP officer should also note the back of Form I-94 with the employer's name and/or position title for a TN employee.

• H-1B/O-1/E-3/TN employees with more than one employer should have all employers noted on or next to I-94 annotations.

• New H-1B employees and their dependents may enter the U.S. no earlier than 10 days before the employment start date as indicated on I-797 Notice of Approval.

Occasionally Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will make mistakes when admitting an individual to the U.S.

• Anyone with doubts about what is written or not written on his or her forms should consult an ISSS advisor.

• If there is indeed a problem, the advisor will instruct you to take the documents to the CBP office at the Philadelphia International Airport or nearest port of entry.

• The Philadelphia CBP office hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the office is located in Terminal A West. SEPTA Regional Rail R-1 from 30th St. Station runs to the airport.

• The intent of the automated process is to streamline the inspection process and reduce wait times at passenger processing.

• Having access to your I-94 electronically will allow you to print a new copy if one is lost, or to print multiple copies if needed.
  • Currently, the paper I-94 replacement application costs over $300 and takes a few months. 

• Please note: the paper I-94 that comes with the I-797 Approval Notice (e.g. for H-1Bs) cannot be reprinted at the new CBP website as I-797s are USCIS documents.

• A printout copy of I-94 will serve as proof of your immigration status when you visit PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) or Social Security Administration offices (i. e. applying for a state ID or Social Security number).

• USCIS will continue to issue paper I-94s for change of status applications, H-1B petitions, and other applications in the form of an I-797 Approval Notice. 

• Either a printout of your valid I-94 or an unexpired entry stamp will be acceptable as the required proof of registration for foreign nationals over 18 years of age. 

• If an I-515A is required, you will receive a paper I-94 so sthat you can complete the process with ICE. Please read more on I-515A. 

• ISSS works closely with local SSA, PennDOT, and CBP-PHL to ensure minimum disruption to our international students and scholars.

• If you meet the revalidation criteria, CBP will already have the electronic I-94 on record, and it will be revalidated.

• You will be provided with another stamp in the passport, and the I-94 will just be revalidated electronically.  

• There is no need to present a paper I-94 because CBP will have the electronic record of your I-94. 

• If you fly back to the U.S. you will receive a new passport stamp with entry/admission information.

• If you drive in you will be processed according to the land border port of entry process and receive a paper I-94. 

• ISSS recommends that you print your I-94 before leaving the U.S. as a back up.

• For more information about automatic visa revalidation (including eligibility criteria), visit the Automatic Visa Revalidation section.