What Is an I-94 Record? Your Proof of Legal Entry
An I-94 record is the official proof of your legal entry and authorized stay in the United States. An I-94 record is the arrival and departure record that U.S. Customs and Border Protection creates when you enter the country, showing your admission date, your immigration status, and the date your authorized stay ends. For most air and sea travelers it is now electronic, and you retrieve it online rather than getting a paper card.
This guide explains what the I-94 shows, how to find it, and why the “admit until” date matters more than your visa. It connects to our guides on what happens if your visa expires и what Form I-797 is.
Not sure what your I-94 says about your status or deadline? Atlas Legal can review your record and explain where you stand. Contact our team to get started.
Основные выводы
- The I-94 is your official record of lawful entry and authorized stay.
- CBP creates it electronically for most air and sea arrivals.
- The “admit until” date, not your visa, usually controls how long you can stay.
- You retrieve your I-94 free on the official CBP website.
- Errors on the I-94 should be corrected promptly to avoid status problems.
What This Guide Covers
- What the I-94 is
- What the I-94 shows
- How to find your I-94
- I-94 date vs visa expiration
- Fixing errors on your I-94
- Frequently asked questions
What the I-94 Is
The Form I-94 is the arrival and departure record that documents a noncitizen’s lawful admission to the United States. Customs and Border Protection issues it at entry, and it establishes that you were inspected and admitted, along with the terms of your stay.
For most travelers arriving by air or sea, the I-94 is now electronic, so there is no paper card to keep. Land border crossings may still involve a paper or electronic version depending on the situation.
What the I-94 Shows
The I-94 contains the core facts of your admission. Reading it correctly tells you exactly what status you hold and how long it lasts:
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| Admission (I-94) number | A unique number identifying this admission record |
| Class of admission | Your immigration status, such as B-2, F-1, or H-1B |
| Admit until date | The date your authorized stay ends |
| Date of entry | When you were admitted to the U.S. |
Some records show “D/S,” meaning duration of status, instead of a specific date. This is common for students and certain exchange visitors, whose stay is tied to their program rather than a fixed end date.
How to Find Your I-94
You retrieve your most recent I-94 for free on the official CBP I-94 website. You enter your name, date of birth, and passport details, and the system displays your record and travel history.
Use only the official government website, since some unofficial sites charge fees for this free service. Save or print a copy after each entry, because employers, schools, and USCIS often ask for it, and you will need it to confirm your status and deadline.
I-94 Date vs Visa Expiration
A common and costly confusion is treating the visa expiration date as your deadline to leave. It is not. Your visa is only for travel to a port of entry, while the I-94 controls how long you may actually stay once admitted.
You can have a visa valid for years but an I-94 that authorizes only a short stay, or the reverse. Always rely on the I-94 “admit until” date. Overstaying that date, even with a valid visa, leads to unlawful presence, as our guide on what happens if your visa expires explains.
Worried your I-94 date is sooner than you thought? A quick review can confirm your real deadline and options. Ask Atlas Legal to check it.
Fixing Errors on Your I-94
Mistakes happen, such as a wrong class of admission, an incorrect date, or a misspelled name. These errors can cause serious problems later, so they should be corrected promptly.
Depending on the error and how you entered, corrections are handled through CBP, either at a deferred inspection site or port of entry, or in some cases through USCIS. Because the right process depends on the specific mistake, it is worth getting guidance before your status or a filing is affected.
When to Work With an Immigration Attorney
The I-94 is small but decisive, and a misread or an error can derail a case. Legal help is valuable when your I-94 shows an unexpected date or status, when there is an error to correct, when you cannot locate your record, or when your I-94 date is approaching and you need to extend or change status. An attorney can interpret the record and act in time. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
What is an I-94 record?
The I-94 is the arrival and departure record that Customs and Border Protection creates when a noncitizen is admitted to the United States. It shows your admission date, your class of admission, or status, and the date your authorized stay ends. For most air and sea arrivals it is electronic, and you retrieve it free from the official CBP website rather than receiving a paper card.
How do I find my I-94?
Go to the official CBP I-94 website and enter your name, date of birth, and passport information. The system displays your most recent I-94 and your travel history. The service is free, so avoid unofficial sites that charge for it. Save or print a copy after each entry, since schools, employers, and USCIS frequently request it to confirm your status.
What does “admit until” mean on my I-94?
The “admit until” date is the deadline by which your authorized stay ends. It controls how long you may remain in the U.S. after admission, and it is often different from your visa expiration date. Staying past this date, even with a valid visa, generally results in unlawful presence. If your record shows “D/S,” your stay is tied to your program rather than a fixed date.
Is the I-94 the same as my visa?
No. A visa is a travel document that lets you request entry at a port of entry, while the I-94 records your actual admission and how long you may stay. The visa can expire while you remain in valid status, and your I-94 date can end before your visa expires. Your authorized stay is governed by the I-94, not the visa.
What does “D/S” mean on an I-94?
“D/S” stands for duration of status. Instead of a specific end date, it means you may stay as long as you maintain the terms of your status, which is common for F-1 students and certain J-1 exchange visitors. You remain authorized while you comply with your program requirements, but violating those terms can end your status even without a fixed date.
What happens if there is a mistake on my I-94?
Errors like a wrong status, incorrect date, or misspelled name should be corrected promptly, because they can cause status and filing problems later. Depending on the mistake and how you entered, corrections go through CBP at a deferred inspection site or port of entry, or in some cases USCIS. Getting guidance first helps you use the right process before your case is affected.
Do I get a paper I-94 anymore?
Usually not for air and sea arrivals, where the I-94 is electronic and retrieved online. Land border crossings may still involve a paper or electronic version depending on the circumstances. Regardless of format, the record carries the same legal weight, so retrieve and save your electronic I-94 after each entry to have proof of your admission and authorized stay.
Why do I need to keep my I-94?
You need it to prove lawful status and your authorized stay. Employers use it for work eligibility, schools for enrollment, and USCIS for applications like extensions or changes of status. It also confirms your deadline to leave or take the next step. Keeping a saved copy after each entry avoids scrambling for it later when a deadline or filing depends on it.
Bottom Line
Your I-94 is the official record of how you entered and how long you may stay. Retrieve it free from the official CBP site, read the “admit until” date carefully, and remember it, not your visa, controls your deadline. Correct any errors promptly, and keep a copy after every entry. Each case depends on its own facts.
If your I-94 raises questions, Atlas Legal Immigration Law can help. Reach us at 1750 E Golf Rd Ste 214, Шаумбург, IL 60173, call (+1) 872 382 2762, or email info@theatlaslegal.com. Learn more on our services page.
Reviewed by the Atlas Legal Immigration Law editorial team. Last reviewed on July 24, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Official I-94 Website
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I-94 Instructions
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, government fees, policies, and processing times may change. Reading this article or contacting Atlas Legal does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any immigration matter depends on its individual facts and circumstances.
