If U.S. immigration were a novel, the I-94 would be the quiet supporting character who turns out to be essential in the final act. Understated. Frequently overlooked. Yet the hinge upon which your legal stay swings.

Whether you're a visa holder landing for a tech gig, a student arriving for the spring semester, or a traveler sorting paperwork for a cross-country escape, this 2025 guide breaks down everything you need to know about getting, retrieving, correcting, or rescuing your I-94 record—without the bureaucratic headache.

What Exactly Is the I-94 Record?

Think of the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record as your personal timestamp of lawful entry into the United States. It tracks:

• Your entry and exit dates
• Your class of admission (F-1, H-1B, B-2, etc.)
• The date your authorized stay expires

In most cases, the I-94 is electronic, auto-generated when you enter by air or sea. If you're a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or certain Canadian visitors, congratulations—you’re exempt. For everyone else, this minimalist slip of data is the documentary backbone of everything from work authorization to driver’s licenses to USCIS filings.

How the I-94 Is Issued When You Arrive

A. Air & Sea Arrivals: The Automatic Track

When you land at JFK, LAX, or any other U.S. port of entry, CBP digitally issues your I-94 during the inspection process. No paper, no forms—just a quick “Welcome to the United States,” and the system logs your arrival.

Your job? Check the details before leaving the immigration area.
If your class of admission or expiry date is wrong, fixing it later requires a trip to a CBP Deferred Inspection Site. Think of it like noticing a typo on your boarding pass—better handled now than at the gate.

B. Land Borders: The Manual (But Now Modernizing) Track

Crossing by land brings back a touch of old-school bureaucracy.

You either:

• Request the I-94 in person from the CBP officer, or
• Apply online through the CBP I-94 website or CBP One app up to 7 days before travel.

This pre-application costs $30, is non-refundable, and creates a provisional I-94 that becomes official if you’re admitted. It’s efficient—think “TSA PreCheck energy” but for land crossings.

How to Retrieve Your I-94 Online (2025 Edition)

A. The Official CBP I-94 Website: Quick, Clean, Reliable

Go to: i94.cbp.dhs.gov

You’ll need:

• Your full name (exact passport spelling)
• Your date of birth
• Your passport number
• Your passport-issuing country

With that, you can view:

• Your 11-digit I-94 number
• Your travel history (10-year archive)
• Your admission details
• Your expiration date

Print it. Save it. Screenshot it. Back it up like you would your crypto seed phrase.

B. Using the CBP One Mobile App

CBP One is the sleek, modern alternative to the website. Through the app you can:

• Store digital copies of your I-94
• Receive stay-expiration reminders
• Access your data during travel
• Avoid browser frustrations while running through an airport

For frequent travelers, it’s the difference between cluttered paperwork and quiet organization.

C. Troubleshooting When Your I-94 Doesn’t Appear

It happens. Your flight was delayed, your name has five hyphens, or CBP’s system sneezed. If your I-94 won’t load:

1. Check name and passport variations

Try version A: FULLNAMEALLCAPSNOSPACES.
 Try version B: Middle name omitted.
 Try version C: Passport with accents removed.

2. Give it time

Recent arrivals may not sync instantly.

3. Request older records

Travel history beyond five years requires submitting a formal CBP request.

4. Still stuck? Go in person

Your lifeline: a CBP Deferred Inspection Site or your port of entry. Bring your passport, visa, and any travel documents.

How to Fix or Replace Your I-94 Record

A. Lost Electronic I-94

Good news: you can’t really lose it. Just reprint it from the CBP site, free.

B. Lost Paper I-94 (Rare but Possible)

Paper I-94s still exist mostly at land borders. If you misplace yours:

➡️ File USCIS Form I-102
➡️ Pay the filing fee
➡️ Wait for processing

This is the only time the I-94 becomes an exercise in patience.

C. Incorrect I-94 Information

If your class of admission or stay expiration is incorrect, CBP fixes the mistake, not USCIS.

Visit a Deferred Inspection Site with:

• Your passport
• Visa stamp
• Admission stamp
• Any supporting documents

Corrections are normally free.

Why the I-94 Matters So Much (Especially in 2025)

The I-94 is more than a travel souvenir. You’ll need it for:

• Driver’s licenses
• Social Security numbers
• Work authorization (Form I-9)
• USCIS applications (extensions, changes of status, adjustments)
• Proving lawful entry for immigration benefits

The golden rule: Your I-94 expiration date controls your authorized stay—not your visa stamp.
It’s the difference between being in status and veering into overstay territory.

Official Resources That Will Actually Help

Bookmark these:

• CBP I-94 Website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
  
  
• USAGov I-94 Guide: usa.gov/arrival-departure-record
• CBP One App: Available on iOS/Android
• USCIS Form I-102: uscis.gov/i-102
• Find Your Deferred Inspection Site: via CBP.gov

These are the real deal—not forum guesses or third-party guesswork.

Quick FAQ (Because Everyone Asks These)

Do Canadians get an I-94?
Usually no—unless applying for certain statuses like TN.

Why can’t I find my travel history?
Try different name variations or confirm your passport details.

Is my visa expiration the same as my I-94 expiration?
Absolutely not. The visa opens the door; the I-94 tells you how long you can stay inside the house.

What if I changed passports?
Try both passport numbers when searching.

Final Tips for Smooth Travel in 2025

• Save your I-94 every single time you enter.
• Double-check your expiration date the moment you land.
• Understand that status comes from your I-94, not your visa.
• If in doubt, visit CBP—they fix I-94 issues more efficiently than USCIS.
• Knowledge is your best defense against accidental overstays.