Nonimmigrant foreign nationals are reminded to print their I-94 and travel history after each entry into the United States now that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has fully implemented its automated Form I-94 program. (CBP also provides the arrival and departure records going back five years for nonimmigrants.) Nonimmigrants can retrieve their I-94 number by entering their passport information on the CBP I-94 webpage found at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html. After printing the travel history and I-94 record, verify that the information is correct.
Locating I-94s can sometimes be tricky especially when a “not found” message is received. While it is possible that the Form I-94 does not exist because of a system error, more likely the I-94 is in the CBP system, but the data is formatted differently than how the individual entered it. Below are some tips on how to locate a “hiding” I-94. If, however, none of the methods explained below resolve the issue, telephone or visit the CBP Deferred Inspection Office and explain the problem. Some of the Deferred Inspection Offices have been able to resolve the problem over the phone without an in-person visit; however, other offices may require an in-person visit. Contact information for the Deferred Inspection Offices can be found on CBP’s website. While deferred inspection sites have been instructed to correct I-94 errors, not travel history, a deferred inspection site can correct historical I-94 information if evidence is presented regarding the error or inaccuracy.
Name Issues
Although CBP has stated it would draw the name for the Form I-94 from the travel document (e.g., passport biographic page), that is not always the case. The instructions on CBP’s website state that the name is drawn from the visa, if any. Therefore, check the passport, visa, and a copy of the submitted Form DS-160 (if available) for name variations. Try entering the name as stated on each document.
Also try entering the first and middle name in the First Name field. Do this even if the middle name is not stated on the passport or visa.
Switch the last and first name when entering the information on the website. Some countries state the name in the passport as first name, last name, rather than the more standard order of last name, first name. This may cause the name to be recorded incorrectly in the CBP system.
If the individual has two first names or two last names, type the first names without a space between them or the last names without a space between them. Example: type the first names “Mary Jane” as “Maryjane.”
Passport Issues
Check the Form DS-160 (if available) for the passport number stated. If the passport number on the Form DS-160 is different than the passport number on which the individual was admitted, type the passport number as stated on the submitted Form DS-160. Also, check the passport number stated on the visa. If the passport number is different than the current passport, enter the passport number stated on the visa.
Some passport numbers may begin with the year in which the passport was issued, causing the number to be too long for the relevant field in CBP’s automation system. If relevant, try entering the passport number without the year.
Special Consideration for Some Mexican Passports Holders
For a period of time, Mexican passports were issued with 11 digits. The first two digits correspond to the year of issuance. Example: Passport No. 07000001529, was issued in 2007. For such passports three or four searches may be necessary:
- Search the travel history with the entire passport number;
- Search the travel history without the first two digits;
- Search the travel history without the last two digits;
- Search the travel history without the first digit (this may trigger travel history for years that start with 0).
Some Mexican entries were recorded under the applicants’ old Border Crossing Cards or Laser Visas issued until 2008. Look for the number that starts with MTR or MEX and search for the I-94 and travel history under such number as if it was the passport number. It is advisable to print the results from all positive searches (when travel history is recorded).