CBP Rolls Out New Automated I-94 System

May 20, 2013

In a significant change in the arrival/departure process for non-immigrants, foreign travelers arriving in the United States via sea or air are no longer required to fill out an I-94 as they arrive, and they will not be given an I-94 card as they pass through inspection. Their passports will continue to be stamped,  with the date of admission, class of admission, and the expiration date of the non-immigrant’s authorized stay in the United States.

Instead, an electronic I-94, with the traveler’s arrival/departure information, will be created automatically by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the arrival’s electronic travel records. In order to then satisfy entry and legal status documentation requirements, for example for employers or schools, non-immigrants are able to access and print out their arrival information at the CBP website. The available information includes the eleven digit Admission (I-94) Number.

When departing the United States, travelers who have been issued a paper I-94 will surrender it to the CBP or the commercial carrier as in the past. If the departing traveler has not received a paper I-94, the CBP will record the departure electronically using manifest information provided by the carrier and/or CBP records.

In the case of travelers entering the United States without a passport, an electronic I-94 will still be created. However, the arrival will be given an I-94 with a pre-printed Admission Number, but with the pre-printed number crossed out and the electronic I-94 number handwritten on the document.

Since the electronic I-94 will only be created at air and sea entry points, paper I-94’s will still be issued at land border points of entry. And in some cases where the CBP deems it appropriate, for example in the case of refugees entering the United States, the CBP will continue to issue a paper Form I-94.

Here is a link to a CBP Fact Sheet about the new procedure:

 

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