The I-94 serves as proof of your lawful admission under a TN Visa, and also indicates the duration of your TN Visa. You will be authorized to work and live in the US for the duration of your TN Visa as indicated on your I-94 admission record. What else do you need to know about it? Let’s start from the basics and work our way up.
How do I get my Form I-94?
When you are admitted to the United States under TN Visa status, you will receive a corresponding I-94, either physically stapled in your passport, or electronically. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has now transitioned primarily to issuing electronic I-94 arrival and departure records.
How do I verify my TN Visa I-94 arrival and departure record?
You can verify your TN Visa I-94 arrival/departure record with the passport you used when traveling to the US. You can also retrieve your I-94 arrival/departure record at the USCBP website.
In many cases, like when departing the United States via airline or cruise ship, your exit is automatically recorded. When departing the United States by land, a private plane, or a private boat, your departure may not be recorded properly. An improper record of your departure can impact future entries to the United States. When departing the United States, it is incumbent upon you to return any physical I-94 card you were issued and to record your departure properly.
What happens if my I-94 arrival and departure record weren’t properly recorded—and what should I do about it?
If your departure from the United States was not recorded properly, you should take action to correct it. If you do not, CBP may determine you remained in the US beyond your TN Visa validity (authorized stay). This could impact your future travel to the US and your ability to obtain a new TN visa.
Delays beyond your control, such as canceled or delayed flights, or medical emergencies requiring a doctor’s care, are not considered unauthorized overstays. However, you will need to bring proof of the cause of your overstay the next time you travel to the US in order for it to be forgiven. For airline delays, ask the airline for a letter affirming the delay or a copy of your canceled boarding pass.
When should I turn in my TN Visa I-94?
Your TN Visa I-94 should only be turned in when you depart the US to return to your home country. This typically occurs when your TN employment has been terminated.
When should I NOT turn in my TN Visa I-94?
You should NOT return your TN Visa I-94 if you are maintaining your status and taking short trips (30 days or less) to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands during the course of your employment in the US on a TN Visa.
If or when it’s time, how do I turn in my TN Visa I-94 departure record?
When it is time to turn in your TN Visa I-94 departure record, you must return it to Coleman Data Solutions, along with any documentation that proves you left the United States. The evidence to support your departure must include a statement (in English) as well as supporting evidence that may include the following:
- Original boarding passes you used to depart another country (such as Canada) if you flew home from there
- Photocopies of entry or departure stamps in your passport indicating entry to another country after you departed the United States (you should copy all passport pages that are not completely blank, and include the biographical page containing your photograph)
- Photocopies of other supporting evidence, such as:
- Dated pay slips or vouchers from your employer to indicate you worked in another country after you departed the United States
- Dated bank records showing transactions to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States
- School records showing attendance at a school outside the United States to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States
- Dated credit card receipts for purchases made after you left the United States to indicate you were in another country after leaving the United States (showing your name but with the credit card number deleted)
To send by US Postal Service:
Attn: NIDPS (I-94) USA
Coleman Data Solutions
PO Box 7965
Akron, OH 44306
To send by FedEx or UPS:
Attn: NIDPS (I-94) USA
Coleman Data Solutions
3043 Sanitarium Road, Suite 2
Akron, OH 44312
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Additional Outside Resources
- USCBP: Official Site for Travelers Visiting the United States – Apply for or Retrieve Form I-94, Request Travel History, and Check Travel Compliance
- USCBP: I forgot to turn in my I-94 when I left the U.S., what should I do?
We Can Help!
Don’t know where to start? The TN Visa lawyers at Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law have hundreds of 5-star client reviews and more than 20 years of experience helping TN Visa holders with all aspects of the TN Visa process. We always start with a case assessment and offer several levels of TN Visa legal services to fit your needs.
