U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today by way of the Federal Register (Federal Register) that it will begin offering an electronic version of Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to streamline the admission process for nonimmigrants traveling to the United States. This change will go into effect on April 26, 2013 unless CBP decides to postpone its implementation.
Aliens arriving in the United States by air or sea will no longer be required to complete a paper Form I-94. However, CBP agents will issue a paper Form I-94 to certain individuals including those passing through secondary inspection, such as asylees and refugees. In addition, nonimmigrant visa holders entering at all land border points will receive a paper Form I-94.
Form I-94 is evidence that an alien has been lawfully admitted to the United States. Currently, only the paper form is available.
The alien presents the completed form at the first port of entry. The CPB agent stamps the Form I-94 and the passport, marking where the alien entered the country and the date of entry.
The CPB keeps the upper part of the form, whose information is entered into the data system of the customs office, and the foreigner keeps the lower part, which must be delivered upon leaving the country.
With the automation of the process, the foreign national will provide the necessary information electronically to the airline or shipping company and to the Department of State through his or her nonimmigrant visa application prior to leaving his or her country. That information will be transmitted to the various U.S. government agencies, including CBP.
When entering the U.S. by air or sea, the customs agent will only need to stamp your passport with the port of entry and date. If in the future the foreign national needs a proof of entry, he/she can print it from the internet by going to the website www.cbp.gov/I94. This website will also be activated on April 26, 2013.
USCIS will continue to require applicants to submit a paper copy of Form I-94 when applying for certain immigration benefits. Other government agencies, such as State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs), will also require a paper copy of Form I-94. Non-immigrants who are authorized to work may be required to present a paper copy of Form I-94 to their employers during the employment eligibility verification process.
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