USA rolls out online record process for foreign visitors

CBP, the department of homeland security in the United States of America has rolled out the electronic version for the arrival/departure forms: I-94 and I-94W for travelers coming in the USA via air or via sea.

All travelers entering by air and by sea only applying for admission at U.S. ports of entry via sea or air no longer need to complete paper form I-94 or I-94W, since CBP has automated the I-94 and I-94W process.

No more paper

Any foreign visitor arriving in the U.S by air or by sea - who have to prove their legal-visitor status (to employers, schools/universities or government agencies), will be able to access their U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrival/departure record information online. The service was started on April 30th and it means that is no longer required by international non-immigrant visitors to fill out a paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record upon arrival to the U.S. by air or sea.

The CBP will gather travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. This automation will streamline the entry process for travelers, facilitate security and reduce federal costs (an estimated $15.5 million a year).

At land border ports of entry CBP will still issue a paper form I-94 and while the system phases-in worldwide foreign visitors will continue to receive the paper Form I-94 until the automated process arrives at their port of entry. Travelers who need information from their Form I-94 admission record to verify immigration status or employment authorization, the record number and other admission information can be requested at CBP.gov/I94.  ( CBP.gov/I94 )

With the new CBP process, a CBP officer will stamp the travel document of each arriving non-immigrant traveler. The admission stamp will show the date of admission, class of admission, and the date that the traveler is admitted until. Travelers will also receive on arrival a flier alerting them to go to CBP.gov/I94 for their admission record information: CBP.gov/I94

Travelers exiting the U.S:

• if you have previously been issued a paper Form I-94 you would surrender it to the commercial carrier or to CBP upon departure.
• if you did not receive a paper Form I-94, CBP will record the departure electronically via manifest information provided by the carrier or by CBP.

For more information and for answers to frequently asked questions, visit CBP’s Form I-94 webpages. ( I-94 Fact Sheet (pdf - 94 KB.)  )