HOUSTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin using an automated version of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record at George Bush Intercontinental Airport May 3 which means international visitors will no longer have to complete the form before arriving to the airport here.
The automated form will streamline the admissions process for individuals lawfully visiting the United States. Form I-94 provides international visitors evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the U.S., which is necessary to verify alien registration, immigration status, and employment authorization.
"Increasing efficiency and streamlining processes is a critical component of maximizing our resources at ports of entry," said Thomas S. Winkowski, acting CBP commissioner. "In addition to saving millions of dollars for both CBP and the travel and tourism industry, automating the I-94 and going paperless will save valuable time for both travelers and CBP officers."
The automation means that affected visitors will no longer need to fill out a paper form when arriving to the U.S. by air or sea. As part of CBP's work to bring advances in technology and automation to the passenger-processing environment, records of admission will now be generated using traveler information already transmitted through electronic means.
The change will be implemented at air and sea ports beginning April 30 and will include Charlotte- Douglas International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Las Vegas Airport, Chicago O'Hare, Miami International Airport and Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport that week, continuing across the nation through May 21.
Travelers wanting a hard copy or other evidence of admission can access this information online using the website if they did not receive a hard copy attached to their passport. Individuals can print a copy of an I-94 based on the electronically submitted data, including the I-94 number from the form, to provide as necessary to benefits providers or as evidence of lawful admission.