Legal Definitions - I-94 Card

The I-94 Card, officially known as Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, is a vital document for most non-immigrant visitors entering the United States. It serves as an official record of an individual's legal entry into the U.S. and specifies the authorized period of their stay.

Issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Form I-94 contains crucial information, including the date of arrival, the specific visa classification under which the individual was admitted (e.g., tourist, student, temporary worker), and the "Admitted Until" date. This "Admitted Until" date is the deadline by which the visitor must depart the U.S. or apply for an extension or change of status.

While historically a physical card stapled into a passport, the Form I-94 is now predominantly electronic for those arriving by air or sea. Visitors can typically access and print their electronic I-94 record online. This document is essential for non-immigrants to prove their lawful presence in the U.S. and is often required for various processes, such as applying for a driver's license, extending a stay, or changing visa status. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and most Canadian citizens are generally exempt from needing an I-94.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of the I-94 Card:

• Example 1: Tourist on Vacation

  A tourist from France, Ms. Dubois, arrives at Miami International Airport for a three-week vacation. Upon her entry, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer processes her admission. An electronic I-94 record is automatically generated, showing her arrival date, her B-2 (tourist) visa status, and an "Admitted Until" date, which might be six months from her arrival, even though she only plans to stay for three weeks.

  How this illustrates the term: This example demonstrates how the I-94 officially records Ms. Dubois's legal entry as a non-immigrant tourist and establishes the maximum duration of her authorized stay, regardless of her intended shorter visit. She can access this record online to confirm her status and ensure she departs before the "Admitted Until" date.

• Example 2: International Student Beginning Studies

  Mr. Chen, a student from China, arrives in Los Angeles to begin a four-year undergraduate program at a university on an F-1 student visa. When he enters the U.S., his I-94 record is generated. Instead of a fixed "Admitted Until" date, his I-94 is marked "D/S" (Duration of Status). This means he is authorized to stay as long as he maintains his student status and complies with his visa terms, as certified by his educational institution.

  How this illustrates the term: This example highlights how the I-94 adapts to different visa types. For students, it doesn't always show a specific end date but rather indicates permission to stay for the "Duration of Status," underscoring its role in documenting the legal basis and terms of a non-immigrant's presence for educational purposes.

• Example 3: Business Professional on a Temporary Assignment

  Ms. Rodriguez, a marketing manager from Mexico, travels to Dallas on an L-1A visa for an eight-month assignment with her company's U.S. subsidiary. Upon her arrival, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer reviews her documents. An electronic I-94 record is created, detailing her entry date, her L-1A (intra-company transferee) visa classification, and an "Admitted Until" date corresponding to the end of her authorized eight-month assignment.

  How this illustrates the term: This shows the I-94's function in documenting temporary work assignments. It clearly outlines her specific non-immigrant visa category and the precise duration for which she is legally permitted to work and reside in the U.S. for that particular business purpose.