The Form I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record issued to nonimmigrant travelers entering the U.S. for tourism, business, employment, or study. For F and J status holders (including students, scholars, and dependents), it is your primary proof of legal status and how long you are authorized to stay in the U.S.
Access Your Official I-94
When you arrive at a U.S. port of entry, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues you an electronic Form I-94. To access it:
- Go to the CBP I-94 website.
- Select "Get Most Recent I-94." This specific document is your official proof of legal status and authorized stay.
- Do not rely on the "View Travel History" tab. While it summarizes your U.S. arrivals and departures, it is not proof of legal status.
Check and Save Your I-94 After Every Entry
All F and J students, scholars, and dependents should download and review their I-94 immediately after every entry into the U.S. for three main reasons:
- Check for Errors: With the proper travel documents, your I-94 should list your Class of Admission as F-1, J-1, F-2, or J-2, and your Admit Until Date as D/S (Duration of Status). CBP officials sometimes make mistakes when creating the record. If you have questions or spot an error on your Most Recent I-94, contact an International Student and Scholar advisor as soon as possible for help in pursuing a correction.
- Save Past Records: The CBP website only lets you print the I-94 from your most recent U.S. entry. Once you re-enter the country, you can no longer print the I-94 from your previous stay. Make a habit of printing and saving your I-94 after every trip.
- Carry Proof of Status (Legal Requirement): By law, foreign nationals aged 18 and older must carry proof of their immigration status ("registration") at all times. Your Most Recent I-94 fulfills this requirement. You can save a screenshot on your phone for convenience, or carry a paper copy (using the "print" button on the CBP results page) if you prefer not to hand over your phone.
Important Exceptions and Additional Notes
- Passport Stamps Are Not a Substitute: Upon entry, a CBP officer might stamp your passport and write your status (F-1, J-1, F-2, J-2) and duration of stay (D/S) by hand. Because CBP does not do this consistently, a passport stamp is not a substitute for the official electronic Form I-94 from the CBP website.
- If You Changed Your Status Inside the U.S.: If USCIS approved an in-country change of status (Form I-539) for you and you have not traveled outside the U.S. since, the CBP website will still show your old status from your last physical entry. Instead, use your USCIS Approval Notice (Form I-797) whenever you are asked for your I-94. Your updated I-94 is located on the bottom-left corner of page 1 of the I-797 notice.