WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection added a new function today to the I-94 website that allows certain Visa Waiver Program travelers to check the status of their stay in the United States. After entering four biographic data elements, the traveler will be able to see how many days they have remained past their admitted until date. Future updates to the I-94 website will incorporate additional non-immigrant travelers and will allow travelers to check how much longer they may remain in the United States. In addition, CBP is working towards emailing travelers 10 days before their expected departure date to remind travelers how much longer they can remain in the United States without overstaying the terms of their admission.
“Terms of admission can vary widely for travelers based on their purpose of travel, visa, and classification. Ultimately, this new feature will make it easier for travelers to find their specific admitted until date in order to comply with U.S. immigration laws,” said Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. “CBP remains committed to facilitating lawful travel and improving the international travel experience for both U.S. citizens and visitors to the United States.”
To check their admitted until date, travelers will enter their name, birthdate, passport number and passport country of issuance. If a traveler has overstayed the terms of their admission, the traveler is notified via email and referred to the I-94 website, which provides eligible travelers with information regarding next steps to take. An “overstay” is defined as someone who was lawfully admitted to the United States for an authorized period, but remained in the United States beyond his or her lawful period of admission.
Periods of admission vary based on the traveler’s class of admission. For example, a lawful admission period can be a fixed period, or based on the completion of a certain activity, such as a student seeking a college degree.
In September 2016, CBP launched an online I-94 application and payment option for travelers arriving at a land port of entry. Travelers can provide their biographic and travel information, and pay the $6 fee for their I-94 application online up to seven days prior to their entry.
Form I-94 provides non-immigrant visitors evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the U.S., which is necessary to verify alien registration, immigration status, and employment authorization. In May 2013, CBP automated the I-94 in the air and sea environment. The automated system allows CBP Officers to create an I-94 Arrival Record within primary and secondary inspection processing systems at the time of inspection with passenger manifest information—eliminating the need for paper forms and manual data entry.
CBP encourages travelers to plan ahead to ensure a smooth and efficient processing experience. Visit CBP.gov for travel tips.