The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, and generates the I-94 number for all foreign visitors when they enter the United States (except US citizens, green card holders, SB-1 visa holders, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit). The Form I-94 number is also known as the departure number on some versions of Form I-94.
The I-94 Arrival-Departure Record proves that a foreign visitor was lawfully admitted or paroled into the USA. Besides, it contains information regarding the visitor’s visa status and authorized period of stay.
You will need the information concerning your I-94 Arrival-Departure Record to fill out Part 1. “Information about you” section “Recent immigration history” of your Form I-485. If you were issued Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number you will have to answer the following questions of the section:
- Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number;
- Expiration date of authorized stay shown on Form I-94;
- Status on Form I-94 (for example, class of admission, or paroled, if paroled);
- Provide your name exactly as it appears on your Form I-94.
If you were admitted to the USA by CBP at an airport or seaport after April 30, 2013, you most probably were issued an electronic Form I-94, instead of a paper Form I-94 that was used previously. The paper form is currently issued only at the land border ports. CBP also provides paper Form I-94 to certain classes of aliens, refugees, parolees and asylees.
Though the CBP generates electronic I-94 record, the electronic number itself stays unknown to the foreign visitors. You should visit the CBP’s website to obtain the electronic I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (www.cbp.gov/i94 or directly https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home).CBP does not charge a fee for this service.
Some travelers admitted to the United States at a land border, airport, or seaport, after April 30, 2013, with a passport or travel document, who were issued a paper Form I-94, may also be able to obtain a replacement Form I-94 from the CBP website without any charge. And if your Form I-94 cannot be obtained from the CBP website, it may be obtained by filing Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record, with USCIS. USCIS charges a fee for this service.