CBP Form I-94: Understanding US Entry Records

With the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) automating Form I-94 for air and sea arrivals since May 2013, it’s essential to understand Form I-94 expiration dates and their implications for your immigration status and eligibility for various immigration benefits in the United States. We explain what CBP Form I-94 is, how to retrieve it, and its importance here.

CBP I-94 Form

The I-94 form, obtainable from CBP, is a critical document that records a foreign visitor’s entry into the United States. It serves multiple purposes, including verification of alien registration, immigration status, and work authorization. Whether printed from the website or issued traditionally, this record holds the same validity and should be recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and other entities uniformly.

Expiration Dates on the Electronic I-94

Upon examining your electronic I-94, you’ll notice three essential dates:

1. OMB Expiration Date: In the top right-hand corner, this date signifies the form’s validity period per the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It’s crucial to understand that this date does not reflect the expiration of your immigration status in the U.S. The OMB date is periodically updated, and an expired OMB date does not invalidate your I-94 record.
2. Most Recent Date of Entry: This indicates the date you entered the U.S., providing a timestamp of your latest arrival.
3. Admit Until Date: This is arguably the most critical date on your I-94, signifying when your authorized stay in the U.S. expires. For various non-immigrant statuses, this could be a specific date or, for students and exchange visitors, “D/S” (Duration of Status), reflecting the period of your academic program plus any authorized practical training and grace period.

Implications of the Admit Until Date

The ‘Admit Until Date‘ is the definitive reference for determining the validity of your immigration status in the U.S. It is crucial for applications with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or when seeking public benefits from government agencies. Misinterpreting this date can lead to overstaying your authorized period, impacting future U.S. entries or adjustment of status applications.

Stay Informed and Compliant

As a Canadian visitor or any foreign traveler in the U.S., staying informed about your I-94 expiration dates is essential for maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration laws. Regularly checking your I-94 record, especially after each entry into the U.S., ensures you know your ‘Admit Until Date’ and can take timely action if extensions or status adjustments are necessary.