In an effort to increase efficiency and streamline the admissions process, US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) has simplified entry into the United States by instituting an automated I-94 process for most nonimmigrants arriving by air and sea. What began as a pilot program in certain ports of entry in April 2022, has become standard procedure across all US ports of entry.

CBP has discontinued stamping passports with an entry stamp when foreign nationals enter the U.S. Instead, each time foreign nationals enter the country, CBP creates an online, electronic entry record to record the entry, known as the I-94 record. The I-94 electronic record serves as the official record of entry into the US. The issuance of a stamp in the passport is now at the discretion of CBP.

Travelers may and should access their I-94 Arrival/Departure Records on the CBP website soon after they enter the US to ensure the accuracy of the information. To obtain the information the site requires the foreign national’s name, date of birth and passport number. The record found on the site documents each traveler’s nonimmigrant’s status, approved length of stay in the United States, and departure information. Because errors are not uncommon, there is the option of submitting an online request for corrections of the I-94 record through the CBP system. Alternatively, travelers may contact a local CBP office directly and request a deferred inspection to correct errors made at the time of entry.