Numbers & Documents
Form I-94 Explained: Your Arrival/Departure Record and Why It Matters
Form I-94 is the record that says how long you're allowed to stay in the United States—and for many people it matters more than the visa in their passport. The visa is just permission to ask to enter; the I-94 is the record of when you were admitted and until when. Misreading it is one of the easiest ways to fall out of status by accident.
Most travelers no longer get a little paper card stapled into their passport. Air and sea arrivals are usually issued an electronic I-94 that you retrieve online. Knowing how to find yours, and how to read the crucial "admit until" date, is essential.
Here's what the I-94 is, where to get it, and what to watch for.
Key takeaways
- ✓The I-94 records how long you may stay; the visa only gets you to the border to request entry.
- ✓Check the "admit until" date on the I-94, not the visa expiration, for your deadline.
- ✓Retrieve your electronic I-94 from the official CBP website and save a copy.
- ✓"D/S" means duration of status—valid as long as you maintain your status terms.
- ✓Correct I-94 errors promptly through CBP or USCIS as appropriate.
Visa vs. I-94: why the difference matters
A visa is issued by a U.S. consulate abroad and lets you travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission. The visa's expiration date is the last day you can use it to seek entry—it does not control how long you may stay once you're in.
The I-94 controls your authorized period of stay. When a Customs and Border Protection officer admits you, they record a class of admission and an "admit until" date (or "D/S" for duration of status in some categories). That date, not your visa date, is your deadline.
It's entirely possible to have a visa valid for years but an I-94 that authorizes only a short stay. Always check the I-94, not the visa, to know when you must depart or extend.
How to find your I-94 online
Travelers admitted by air or sea can retrieve the electronic I-94 from the official CBP I-94 website. You enter your name, date of birth, and passport details, and the site returns your most recent admission record and "admit until" date.
It's smart to retrieve and save a copy soon after each entry. Errors in the recorded class of admission or date do happen, and catching them early makes them far easier to correct.
Keep a copy of the I-94 with your other immigration documents. Many filings—extensions, changes of status, adjustment—ask for I-94 details.
Fixing errors and understanding D/S
If the I-94 shows the wrong class of admission, a wrong date, or a misspelled name, you can seek a correction—through CBP for errors made at entry, or through USCIS in certain situations. Don't ignore an error hoping it won't matter; status problems can surface later at the worst time.
Some categories—often students and certain exchange visitors—are admitted for "duration of status" (D/S) rather than a fixed date. D/S means you may stay as long as you maintain the terms of your status, which puts the responsibility on you to keep that status valid.
Whether you need to extend your stay, change status, or adjust to permanent residence, your I-94 details are part of the paperwork. Asal can help you organize and accurately transcribe them.
Verify the official details
Government fees, processing times, form editions, and rules change regularly. Before you rely on any figure, confirm the current information on the official government page.
Retrieve your I-94 on the official CBP websiteFrequently asked questions
What is Form I-94?+
It is your official arrival/departure record showing your class of admission and how long you're authorized to stay. For air and sea arrivals it is usually electronic and retrieved online.
Where do I find my I-94 number and record?+
Use the official CBP I-94 retrieval website. Enter your biographic and passport details to view your most recent admission record, the I-94 number, and your "admit until" date.
Which date controls my stay—my visa or my I-94?+
Your I-94. The visa only lets you travel to a port of entry and request admission. The "admit until" date on the I-94 is your authorized stay deadline.
What does "D/S" mean on my I-94?+
Duration of status. Instead of a fixed end date, you're authorized to stay as long as you maintain the conditions of your status (common for some students and exchange visitors).
My I-94 has the wrong information. How do I fix it?+
Errors made at entry are generally corrected through CBP; some corrections involve USCIS. Address mistakes promptly—an uncorrected error can create status complications later.
Do I need my I-94 for immigration forms?+
Often yes. Extensions, changes of status, and adjustment of status applications commonly ask for I-94 details, so keep a saved copy with your records.
Related resources
Related forms we prepare
Asal Immigration Services is a document preparation service operated by Asal Multi-Services LLC. We are not attorneys and are not authorized to practice law. We do not provide legal advice, explanations, opinions, or recommendations about legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. We assist with the preparation of immigration forms based on information you provide. For legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney.