Passport Expiration Date vs. I-94

We have met some clients who were holding H1B visa but couldn’t get 3-year admission stamp at the border and got upset and confused. In this chapter, we will explain how passport expiration date affects your admission until date on both your passport and I94.

What is I-94 Form?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, to aliens who are:

• Admitted to the U.S.
• Adjusting status while in the U.S.; or
• Extending their stay.

All persons need a Form I-94 except U.S. citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas (Green Card), and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. Air and sea travelers will be issued I-94s during the admission process at the port of entry.

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer attaches Form I-94 to the nonimmigrant visitor’s passport upon entry to the U.S. (old version). Foreign nationals may check their I-94 online since a couple of years ago. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94. This is the “Admit Until Date” on the electronic Form I-94. The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number or Admission Record Number.