It’s easy to get confused when filling out various government forms, and the I-94 form may increase uncertainty. Filling out an I-94 form is part of getting legal visitor status in the United States. The form may also be called an Arrival and Departure Record. It’s issued by a Customs and Border Protection officer in electronic format or on paper. If you file the form electronically, you receive an annotated stamp on your passport. If you use the paper method, the officer attaches the form to your passport.
We’ll be using the form provided on the United States Customs and Border Protection website. Filling out the I-94 form is simple if you follow these instructions:
Step 1
When you receive the I-94 form provided by your transportation carrier or printed from the website, write your admission number at the top of the card. Be sure you use English when filling out the form. Place one letter or number per space and write neatly and legibly.
Step 2
After you’ve written your admission number at the very top of the form, you must write it again in the instruction area. Again, you'll place one number per box. Write clearly and do not overlap numbers.
Step 3
Under the Arrival Record, you will enter your personal information. First, put your LAST name in the space provided. This box is labeled, “1. Family name.” Following your last name, write your first name, or “given name.” Other information that you need to provide includes: birth date, sex, country of citizenship, passport number, airline or flight number, the country where you live, the city you were born in, the city where your visa was issued, the date your visa was issued, and your address while you’re in the United States. All of this information needs to be completed clearly without any mistakes. Mistakes will postpone your entry into the United States.
Step 4
Once you’ve filled out this form, you will present it to the United States Customs officer. At this point, your I-94 form will be reviewed. If it’s accepted, it will be stamped. Usually, the arrival section of this form will be kept by the customs officer.
Afterward, you'll receive a completed departure section. Look closely at this record, as it tells you the last day you’re legally allowed to remain in the United States. It is essential that you keep this part of your form. Do not write on the back portion. The back section is for United States government use ONLY.
Types of Visas
The difference between a visa and the I-94 is significant. The visa allows you to arrive in the United States and appear before a Customs and Border Protection officer. A visa is just a permit—it does not allow you entry. The I-94 Arrival and Departure Record is your legal permission to remain in the United States during the period listed on the card. Here are the different types of non-immigrant visas you can receive:
- Work Visa
A work visa allows you to come to the United States for work purposes. Someone with this visa may come for agricultural purposes, special education, as a Federal Trade Agreement professional, or an artist/entertainer. - Student Visa
A student visa allows you to come to the United States for educational purposes. Using this visa, you can go to a private elementary school, high school, university or college, seminary, conservatory, or vocational school in the U.S. - Visitor Visa
A visitor visa is a little more complicated, as you can come for several reasons. Visitor visas allow you to come to the United States for tourism, medical treatment, participation in sports, or involvement in social events. In some instances, you can obtain this type of visa to consult with business associates, attend a conference or convention, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract.
