I-94 Form - Arrival/Departure Record: The Complete Guide (2026)

You have just landed in the United States. You made it through the long line at customs, the officer stamped your passport, and you are finally on your way to baggage claim. You might think the most important document you have is your visa or your passport.

But for immigration purposes, there is a “ghost document” that is even more critical: the I-94 Form.

If you are planning to apply for a marriage-based green card, the I-94 is essentially your “Golden Ticket.” It proves you entered the country legally—a requirement for adjusting your status to a permanent resident. Without it, the process becomes significantly more difficult.

In this comprehensive I-94 guide, we will explain exactly what this form is, how to get it (since you probably didn’t get a piece of paper), and how to read it correctly so you don’t accidentally overstay your welcome.

Key Takeaways

• It’s Electronic: Most travelers arriving by air or sea no longer receive a paper card; the record is stored online.
• Proof of Entry: The I-94 is the primary evidence that you entered the U.S. legally, which is required for a green card.
• Expiration Date: The date on your I-94 determines how long you can stay—not the expiration date on your visa.
• Print It Out: Even though it is digital, you should always print a copy for your personal records immediately after arrival.

What Is the I-94 Form?

The I-94 Form (officially called the “Arrival/Departure Record”) is a document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to foreign visitors entering the United States.

Think of it as your permission slip. It tells the government:

1. When you arrived.
2. How you arrived (what visa class).
3. How long you are allowed to stay.

For U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders), this form does not apply. However, for almost everyone else—tourists, students, and workers—the I-94 is the official record of your legal status in the U.S.

Electronic vs. Paper Forms

In the past, everyone filled out a white paper card on the airplane. Today, in 2026, the process is streamlined:

• Air and Sea: If you arrive by plane or cruise ship, the process is automated. You will generally not receive a paper form. Your passport is scanned, and the record is created digitally.
• Land Borders: If you drive across the border from Canada or Mexico, you may still receive a paper Form I-94, though CBP has largely moved to digital records here as well. You may pay a small fee ($6) at the land border for this.
• Refugees/Parolees: Specific categories of entrants may still receive a paper form.

How to Retrieve Your I-94 Form

Since you likely won’t be handed a physical card, you might be wondering, “How do I get my I-94 form?”

You need to access it online. It is highly recommended that you do this as soon as you arrive in the U.S. to verify the information is correct.

Step-by-Step Retrieval Guide:

1. Visit the Official Site: Go to the CBP I-94 Website or use the CBP One™ mobile app.
2. Select “Get Most Recent I-94”: You will see a button to retrieve your record.
3. Enter Your Details: You will need to type in your:
   • Full Name (exactly as it appears on your passport/visa).
   • Date of Birth.
   • Passport Number.
   • Country of Issuance.
4. Print/Save: Once your record appears, click “Print.” Save it as a PDF on your computer and keep a physical copy in a safe place.

Greenbroad Tip: If you are applying for a marriage green card, you will need to include a copy of this printout with your application package. Don’t wait until the last minute to find it!

How to Read Your I-94 (Don’t Miss This!)

Reading the form correctly is vital. There is one specific mistake that thousands of people make every year—confusing the visa expiration with the I-94 expiration.

The “Admit Until” Date

On your I-94, you will see a field labeled “Admit Until Date.”

• This is the date you must leave the U.S. by.
• Staying even one day past this date can result in you being “out of status” (unlawful presence).

The Visa Expiration Date

Your physical visa (the sticker in your passport) also has an expiration date.

• This date only indicates the last day you are allowed to enter the U.S.
• It does not tell you how long you can stay.

Real-World Scenario:

Maria has a tourist visa that expires in 5 years (2031). She enters the U.S. on January 1, 2026. The CBP officer grants her a 6-month stay. Her I-94 “Admit Until Date” will read “June 30, 2026.”

Even though her visa is valid until 2031, Maria MUST leave (or apply for an extension/green card) by June 30, 2026. If she stays until July based on her visa date, she is overstaying.

What is “D/S”?

If you are a student (F-1) or an exchange visitor (J-1), your I-94 form might not have a date. Instead, it will say D/S.

• D/S stands for Duration of Status.
• This means you can stay in the U.S. as long as you are complying with the terms of your visa (e.g., remaining a full-time student), regardless of the calendar date.

The I-94 Form and Your Marriage Green Card

If you are reading this blog, there is a good chance you are exploring the marriage green card process. Here is why the I-94 is non-negotiable for you.

To adjust your status (get a green card) while inside the United States, you generally must prove that you were inspected and admitted or paroled into the country.

This is known as “legal entry.”

When you file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence), you must attach a copy of your I-94 form. This proves to USCIS that you didn’t sneak across the border, but rather entered through a checkpoint and were cleared by an officer.

Without an I-94: If you entered the country without inspection (EWI), you usually cannot apply for a green card from inside the U.S., even if you marry a U.S. citizen (with very few exceptions, such as military spouses). You would likely need to go through consular processing, which is a different and more complex path.

How to Fill I-94 (For Land Entries)

While most travelers don’t need to write anything down, the question of “how to fill i-94” still comes up for those crossing land borders who haven’t used the mobile app.

If you are handed a paper form at a land border:

1. Use Black Ink: Write clearly and in capital letters.
2. Family Name: Write your last name exactly as it appears on your passport.
3. First Name: Write your given name.
4. Birth Date: Use the Day/Month/Year format usually requested (DD/MM/YYYY), but check the form instructions carefully as U.S. formats often use MM/DD/YYYY.
5. Passport Details: Copy the number and country of issuance directly from your passport.

Pro Tip: You can now apply for a provisional I-94 via the CBP One™ mobile app up to 7 days before arriving at a land border to speed up your entry.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even government officials make mistakes. It is possible that the CBP officer misspelled your name or gave you the wrong admission class (e.g., marking you as a tourist “B-2” when you entered on a work visa “H-1B”).

1. Incorrect Information

If you download your I-94 form and see an error, do not ignore it.

• The Fix: You need to contact a Deferred Inspection Site. These are CBP offices located near major ports of entry. You usually do not need to pay a fee to fix a CBP error. You can find the nearest location on the CBP website and call them to see if it can be handled via email or if you need to visit in person.

2. Lost Paper I-94

If you entered years ago and received a white paper card, but you lost it:

• The Fix: You must file Form I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document) with USCIS.
• The Cost: This is expensive (fees change, but it is over $500 as of 2026) and takes time.
• Note: If your record is available online, you do NOT need to file Form I-102. Just print it from the website for free.

3. I-94 Not Found Online

Sometimes the website says “No Record Found.”

• Try Variations: Try entering your name differently. Did you include your middle name? Did you swap First and Last names? Did the system confuse the letter ‘O’ with the number ‘0’?
• Check Passport Number: Did you get a new passport recently? Try the old passport number if that’s what you used to enter.

What If My I-94 Has Expired?

This is a serious situation.

If your “Admit Until Date” has passed and you have not filed for an extension or a green card application (Adjustment of Status), you are accruing unlawful presence.

• For Spouses of U.S. Citizens: If you entered legally (proven by your I-94) but overstayed, you are generally “forgiven” for the overstay if you are applying for a green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. You can still file Form I-485.
• For Spouses of Green Card Holders: The rules are stricter. You usually must be in valid status (unexpired I-94) to apply from within the U.S.

Disclaimer: Overstays are complex. If your I-94 has expired, we highly recommend speaking with an attorney before filing paperwork to understand your specific risks.

Marriage Green Card Requirements: A Complete Guide to Eligibility (2026) What is Form I-485? Adjustment of Status Explained

Frequently Asked Questions

We hear these questions often at Greenbroad. Here are the answers to help you navigate the process.

1. Can I use a screenshot of my I-94 for my green card application? It is better to download the official PDF from the CBP website and print that. While a clear screenshot might be accepted, the official printout is the standard document USCIS officers expect to see.

2. Can I travel outside the U.S. while my green card is pending? Not just with your I-94. If you leave the U.S. while your I-485 is processing, your application will be considered “abandoned” unless you have approved Advance Parole (Travel Document). The I-94 records your past entry; it does not give you permission to re-enter.

3. I am a Canadian citizen. I didn’t get an I-94. What do I do? Canadians visiting for tourism are often admitted without an I-94 record created on the website. In this case, your passport stamp serves as your proof of entry. However, if you are applying for a green card, it helps to check the CBP website just in case. If no record exists, you will use your passport stamp and travel history as evidence of legal entry.

4. Does the I-94 prove I can work in the U.S.? Generally, no. The I-94 proves your legal status, but not employment authorization (unless you have a specific work visa like H-1B). Spouses of U.S. citizens need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (Work Permit) alongside their green card application.

5. How far back does the online I-94 history go? The online travel history generally goes back 5 to 10 years. However, for the purpose of a green card application, you are primarily concerned with your most recent entry into the United States.

Conclusion

The I-94 Form might seem like a small administrative detail, but it carries a lot of weight. It is the bridge between your arrival in the U.S. and your future as a permanent resident.

Remember to:

1. Download your I-94 immediately after every entry.
2. Check the “Admit Until Date” carefully.
3. Keep a printed copy in your permanent files.

Navigating government forms, expiration dates, and document checklists can take the romance out of your marriage. Why stress about whether you found the right form or checked the right box?

Let Greenbroad handle the paperwork.

For a flat fee of $749, Greenbroad provides a complete marriage green card application package. We help you gather the right documents (like your I-94), fill out all the necessary USCIS forms, and give you a personalized filing guide. We turn a mountain of paperwork into a simple, step-by-step process.

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Disclaimer: Greenbroad is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. If you have a complex immigration history, criminal record, or previous immigration violations, please consult with a qualified immigration attorney.