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What is the Form I-94?
The Form I-94 is proof of your arrival and admission to the U.S. A record is created each time you pass through U.S. immigration. The I-94 includes the date of entry, the visa status on which you were admitted, and the time period during which you may remain in the U.S. For F or J students, this time period is noted as “D/S,” which stands for “Duration of Status.” This means you may remain in the U.S. for as long as your program is valid.
Why is the I-94 Important?
The I-94 is your evidence that you were inspected by a U.S. border agent, and then allowed into the U.S. legally and on a specific visa status. Many U.S. state and federal agencies will ask to see a copy of your I-94 to determine whether you are eligible for certain requests like a social security number, driver’s license, or to show proof of work authorization eligibility. You also may be required to present historical data of your prior arrival records if applying for any immigration benefits or changes in the future.
Check your I-94
It is your responsibility to review your I-94 each time you enter the U.S. Unless you have specifically been issued a paper I-94, most students will be able to find their I-94 online. Once you have returned to the U.S., use a computer and the information on the biographical page in your passport to access the I-94 database and ensure there are no errors.
Problems Locating the I-94 Record
The U.S. immigration officer will likely input your I-94 record under the name as listed on your visa stamp. If you cannot locate your I-94 record, please contact the ISS Mānoa office issmanoa@hawaii.edu along with information on your most recent entrance into the U.S.