I-94
I-94 aka Arrival Departure Record is what governs your status in the USA. An expired I-94 can lead to bar from entering USA for 3 to 10 years.See details on "Unlawful Presence".
USCIS Changes Secure Ink Color in Certain Immigration Document Stamps
On July 1, 2014, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began using a new secure blue ink for many of its secure stamps.
Arrival/Departure History Now Available on I-94 Webpage
Customs and Border Protection launched a new webpage on May 1 that offers nonimmigrant U.S. visitors access to their I-94 arrival/departure record and their arrival/departure history.
Electronic I-94 Rollout on 30 April 2013
Beginning 30 April 2013, CBP will roll out electronic version of Form I-94, Arrival Departure Record. We recommended that all visitors print out and keep a paper copy of the Form for their records at all times. There are still important legal issues that remain unsettled, including, the proper training and education of DHS/CBP of its own officers. Note that CBP is an agency within Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Form I-94 is a very important document in that it determines the time and activities permitted during your stay in the USA.
Correcting I-94
Here is a contribution from a member of our community:
H-4 extension (I-539) abandoned by travel? Re-filing strategy after re-entry with new I-94
I wanted to seek your guidance regarding my pending H4 extension application. Below are the details:
I am on H4 status with my current visa valid until August 29, 2025.
My husband’s H1B extension has been approved, and we filed my H4 extension (I-539) along with his H1B. I received my receipt notice on April 2, 2025. Due to a family health emergency, I traveled to India on April 29, 2025, and re-entered the US on June 18, 2025, using my valid H4 visa. Upon entry, I received a new I-94 valid until [insert the expiry date on your new I-94 here, e.g., August 29, 2025]. I would like to confirm:
Will my pending H4 extension (filed prior to travel) be considered abandoned due to my departure from the US while it was in process?
Should I apply for a new H4 extension application? Is it recommended to recall the current H4 extension application and immediately fill a new H4 extension? Or should I wait till I get my H4 withdrawal approved?
If so, do I need to file a new H4 extension application before the expiry of my current I-94 to maintain my status beyond that date?
Is there any additional action you recommend in this situation to ensure uninterrupted H4 status?
Your H-4 extension (I-539) will not be considered abandoned even if you travel internationally and re-enter with a new I-94 while it's pending. It's a common, though undocumented, rule that travel is permissible during an extension application, unlike a change of status. You do not need to refile your H-4 extension. For peace of mind, you can contact USCIS customer service to confirm.
Withdrawing pending I-539 after H-4 visa stamping and new I-94 issuance
My spouse traveled to India and successfully completed her H4 visa stamping at the US consulate, which is now valid for next 2 years. Prior to her departure, she submitted an I-539 application for an H4 extension with USCIS. However, since she is returning to the United States, she will receive a new I-94 upon her arrival. Given that her I-539 application is still pending with USCIS, I would like to know the process for withdrawing the I-539 application.
We have filed her I-539 application online and it is still pending with USCIS.
We want to avoid any potential conflicts with her I-94 status in case USCIS approves her application after she arrives back in the US (new I-94 that she will receive at port entry and old I-94 if USCIS approves).
If an I-539 application (likely for H-4 extension in this context) is pending and the applicant travels outside the US and obtains an H-4 visa stamp, the pending I-539 is automatically abandoned. However, it's advisable to formally withdraw the I-539 to ensure clean records. To do this, the individual should contact USCIS customer service and request the withdrawal. They may be instructed to send a notarized letter, or it might be possible to do it over the phone.
Recording for December 05, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Topics Discussed:
Employer and agency verification requirements on the most recent I-94: Is this new note typical?
I see the following new note on my Most Recent I-94 Results. Is this normal?
Note to employers, local, state, or federal agencies granting benefits:
Please visit the CBP I-94 Public Website and click on the tab for “Get Most Recent I-94” to perform a search for the applicant to confirm that the biographic and travel information displayed on this I-94 printout matches the “Get Most Recent I-94” returned results for this applicant.
While this is a new update, it seems routine and not a cause for concern.