Understanding your Form I-94

The Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” is an official entry document issued electronically by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when a foreign national is admitted into the United States. Your Form I-94 confirms your legal entry, immigration status, and how long you are permitted to remain in the United States.

Individuals should review their Form I-94 after each entry to the United States to make sure all information is correct. If your Form I-94 contains an error, such as the wrong visa type, incorrect name, or incorrect “Admit Until Date,” you should contact a CBP Deferred Inspection Site as soon as possible to request a correction.

The Form I-94 is your official record of admission to the United States. It is issued by CBP when you enter the United States and is used to verify your immigration status and authorized period of stay.

Your Form I-94 includes important information such as:

• Date of entry into the United States.
• Class of admission or immigration status, such as F-1 or J-1.
• Admit Until Date.
• Individual I-94 record number.

Most travelers receive an electronic Form I-94. You can access your most recent Form I-94 record through the CBP I-94 website.

1. Admission I-94 Record Number

Your admission I-94 record number is a unique number assigned to your arrival record. This number may be requested for immigration, employment, or government forms.

Each time you enter the United States, a new Admission I-94 Record Number may be created.

2. Arrival/Issued Date

The arrival/issued date shows the most recent date you were admitted into the United States. Individuals should review this date after each arrival to confirm that the record reflects their latest entry. The ISSC recommends that you print or save a copy of your Form I-94 after each entry and keep it for your records, as your previous arrival information may no longer be available after a subsequent entry into the United States.

3. Class of Admission

The class of admission shows the immigration status granted to you when you entered the United States.

Common statuses include:

Your class of admission should match your immigration documents. For example, an F-1 student should have “F-1” listed on their Form I-94. If your Form I-94 shows a class of admission that does not match your visa stamp, you must have your Form I-94 corrected immediately.

4. Admit Until Date

The “Admit Until Date” indicates how long you are permitted to remain in the United States.

Currently, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are admitted for Duration of Status (D/S). Under the new rules, which were scheduled to go into effect on September 15, 2026, individuals seeking admission or a change of status to F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 would receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94.

The Admit Until Date (AUD) will generally be the earlier of:

• The program end date on the Form I-20 or DS-2019; or
• 4 years from the date of admission.

Note: CBP could also limit the period of admission based on the passport's expiration date. F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors should monitor their Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 and take action before it expires if additional time is needed.

5. Name and Biographical Information

This section includes your name, date of birth, document number (usually your passport number), and country of citizenship. You should make sure this information matches your passport exactly.

If your name, date of birth, or passport information is incorrect, you must have your Form I-94 corrected immediately.

You can access your most recent Form I-94 record online through the CBP I-94 website - select “Get Most Recent I-94.”

To retrieve your Form I-94, you will need information from your passport, including:

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Passport number
• Country of passport issuance

After retrieving your Form I-94, download or print a copy for your records.

You should check your Form I-94 every time you enter the United States. Even if your previous Form I-94 was correct, a new entry to the United States will create a new Form I-94.

Review your Form I-94 as soon as possible after arrival to confirm:

• Your name is spelled correctly
• Your passport information is correct
• Your class of admission is correct
• Your Admit Until Date is correct
• Your most recent entry date is listed

If your Form I-94 has incorrect information, you should request a correction as soon as possible. Errors may affect your ability to verify your immigration status, complete university requirements, apply for benefits, or travel.

Common Form I-94 errors include:

• Incorrect visa status.
• Incorrect Admit Until Date.
• Incorrect name or date of birth.
• Missing or outdated arrival record.
• Incorrect passport information.

Individuals are encouraged to save a copy of their Form I-94 after each entry to the United States. Keeping copies of your immigration records can help you confirm your status and provide documentation when needed.

Your Form I-94 is an important part of your immigration record. Review it carefully, keep it with your other immigration documents, and take action quickly if any information is incorrect.