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I-94 arrival record: definition, CBP and authorized stay

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Form I-94: what it is, how to check it online and print it

Form I-94: definition

Key answer

The I-94 is the electronic record of your US entry: it shows the entry date, your status (e.g. O-1) and how long you may stay. The I-94, not the visa in your passport, controls until when you can lawfully remain in the US.

CBP creates the record at every entry. The visa in your passport only lets you knock on the border; your lawful stay inside the country runs on the I-94. The visa and I-94 dates may differ.

Check the fresh I-94 on the CBP website after every entry: mistakes in status or dates happen and are easiest to fix right away. You will also need the I-94 for extensions and for adjusting status (I-485, I-539).

Form I-94: the official definition

“The Arrival and Departure Record is the I-94, in either paper or electronic format, issued by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer to foreign visitors entering the United States. As of April 30, 2013, most Arrival and/or Departure records are created electronically upon arrival.”

USCIS Glossary (uscis.gov), read 2026-10-11. Quoted verbatim.

Form I-94: the official source

Form I-94: what to do - tools

Form I-94: read next

Form I-94: documents and templates from the library

Form I-94: from community discussions

  • «Applied as a writer. Covered 7 criteria: awards, unions, jury, media, scientific articles, contribution to the industry, book exhibitions.»

    Alessia · from public community chats

  • «Got approved in 14 days on premium, applied as an HR expert under the criteria: 1) awards - 4; 2) authorship in scientific articles - 11; 3) publications about me - 4; 4) membership in associations - 2; 5) judging - 4; 6) critical role; 7) high salary. Which ones were counted - no idea.»

    Zarin · from public community chats

  • «Achievements in the US - do they want the achievements to be specifically in the US context (publications in US journals, awards specifically in the US) during the time the person lived here? Or will achievements made while living in the US but not related to the US work for them?»

    Anton · from public community chats

Personal opinions of community members from public discussions, not legal advice.

Form I-94: related terms

All glossary terms

A reference definition, not legal advice. Requirements and procedures depend on your case - verify on uscis.gov.

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