Understanding Your I-94
A Guide For International Students
What is the I-94?
When you enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer checks your passport and visa, then issues you an electronic document called the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
Access your Most Recent I-94 and travel history on the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website.
Your Most Recent I-94 tells you:
- How long you're allowed to stay;
- That you entered the U.S. legally; and
- Under what immigration status you entered the U.S.
Your Most Recent I-94 should look like this:
What is the I-94?
When you enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer checks your passport and visa, then issues you an electronic document called the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
Access your Most Recent I-94 and travel history on the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website.
Your Most Recent I-94 tells you:
- How long you're allowed to stay;
- That you entered the U.S. legally; and
- Under what immigration status you entered the U.S.
Your Most Recent I-94 should look like this:
What is the I-94 Travel History?
The travel history is a record of your U.S. arrival and departure history for the past 10 years. Certain types of trips may not be included in your travel history. The travel history does not show the visa type or the allowed length of stay.
Here is an example of the I-94 Travel History:
What is the I-94 Travel History?
The travel history is a record of your U.S. arrival and departure history for the past 10 years. Certain types of trips may not be included in your travel history. The travel history does not show the visa type or the allowed length of stay.
Here is an example of the I-94 Travel History:
How and When Is Form I-94 Created?
- By air or sea – Your I-94 is issued electronically when you have cleared immigration at your port of entry. Print or save your electronic Most Recent I-94 as soon as you arrive and make sure everything looks correct.
- By land (crossing a border) – If you are traveling via a land border or by ferry from selected ports, you may apply for a provisional I-94 in advance, saving time when arriving at the port of entry.
Access your Most Recent I-94 and travel history on the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website.
How and When Is Form I-94 Created?
- By air or sea – Your I-94 is issued electronically when you have cleared immigration at your port of entry. Print or save your electronic Most Recent I-94 as soon as you arrive and make sure everything looks correct.
- By land (crossing a border) – If you are traveling via a land border or by ferry from selected ports, you may apply for a provisional I-94 in advance, saving time when arriving at the port of entry.
Access your Most Recent I-94 and travel history on the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website.
What is "Duration of Status" (D/S)?
If you're on an F-1 or J-1 visa, your I-94 or passport stamp will likely say "D/S" instead of a specific date. This stands for “Duration of Status,” and it means you can stay in the U.S. as long as you are:
- Actively maintaining your student/scholar status, and
- Your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students and scholars) has not expired.
In short, there's no fixed end date — you're allowed to stay as long as you're keeping up with your program requirements and have not violated your status.
What is "Duration of Status" (D/S)?
If you're on an F-1 or J-1 visa, your I-94 or passport stamp will likely say "D/S" instead of a specific date. This stands for “Duration of Status,” and it means you can stay in the U.S. as long as you are:
- Actively maintaining your student/scholar status, and
- Your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students and scholars) has not expired.
In short, there's no fixed end date — you're allowed to stay as long as you're keeping up with your program requirements and have not violated your status.
