I-94 Replacement Guide

Your Form I-94 may seem insignificant as it is just a simple slip of paper or card. But don’t underestimate its importance. Form I-94 is critical to identify your status in the United States. Without one, you could face a few challenges. 

As with any other possession, there is a chance you could lose your Form I-94, or it could get stolen. Fortunately, you can get a Form I-94 replacement. The process is relatively easy. 

If you need a Form I-94 replacement take a look below for some useful information and easy steps Form I-94 replacement steps. 

What is an I-94 Card?

Form I-94 is called an Arrival/Departure Record and is similar to the Form I-94W. This is an official document issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection when a non-immigrant foreign national enters the United States.

The Form I-94 is proof that you entered the United States legally and records the date you entered the United States. Customs and Border Protection issues you a unique alphanumeric I-94 number that consists of 11 characters. The first 9 characters are digits, the 10th character is a letter, and the last character is a digit. 

Your I-94 contains your date of entry, your visa classification, and the date your non-immigrant status will expire. Having a Form I-94 is proof that you are in the United States legally. 

Can an I-94 Card Be Replaced? 

Losing your possessions is frustrating, and it can be a traumatic experience – especially if it was stolen. This is even more true if you lose valuables like your wallet and all the other essential documents like your passport, license, and Form I-94 that goes with it. 

If you’ve lost your I-94 card or it has been stolen, you don’t have to worry. You won’t suddenly be deported. You can just get a Form I-94 replacement. 

It’s important to get a Form I-94 replacement if your original Form I-94 isn’t in your possession anymore. Your Form I-94 confirms your arrival and departure dates in and from the United States. Your non-immigrant visa is only valid for a specific period, and you need to keep the Form I-94 to prove to the Customs and Border Protection that you haven’t overstayed your visa. 

Overstaying your visa is very serious and can result in your being barred from entering the United States for up to 10 years (or worst case scenario permanently). If you are in the United States unlawfully, removal proceedings can also be started against you, and you can be deported. 

How to Get an I-94 Replacement

If you need an I-94 replacement, you, fortunately, don’t have to go through a very complicated process. You can get an I-94 replacement by filing a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Arrival-Departure Document.

You will need to submit a photocopy of your original Form I-94 with your Form I-120. If you don’t have a photocopy of the original, you can provide a copy of the biographic information page from your passport with a copy of the page showing the date you were admitted. Or you can give any other evidence showing your admission to the United States. 

If you can’t prove the date of your admission (for example, if your passport was stolen with your Form I-94), you will have to provide a proper explanation of why you can’t give any of the required evidence. You will still have to provide proof of your identity and any other evidence you may have to prove your claim, however. If your Form I-94 and passport were stolen, it would be useful to provide a copy of the police report of when you reported the theft. 

Keep in mind, you don’t only have to use the Form I-120 for an I-94 replacement if your original was lost or stolen. You can also use the Form I-120 for an I-94 replacement if you need any information on your Form I-94 corrected. For example, if your name is misspelled. You can basically use the Form I-120 for an I-94 replacement.

The filing fee for the Form I-120 is $445. You can pay this fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (don’t use any abbreviations like DHS). Also, this fee is non-refundable. When you pay the filing fee, you are paying for government service. So even if your I-94 replacement doesn’t work out as planned, or if you withdraw your request, for example, you won’t get the filing fee back. 

The good news is if you need to get an I-94 replacement because of an error by a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, your I-94 replacement filing fee will be waived. 

Consequences of Not Replacing Your I-94 Card

Remember, your Form I-94 is proof that you are in the United States legally. You aren’t by law required to carry a Form I-94 if you are in the United States on a non-immigrant visa. But you could encounter some obstacles if you don’t have it on hand. 

For example, it could be a challenge to renew your visa without your Form I-94. Or you could have trouble if you want to extend your stay in the U.S. or adjust your status. You will need the Form I-94 as proof of your movements in and out of the United States.

You also won’t necessarily encounter any problems if you leave the United States without your Form I-94. But if you want to return, there is a chance you will undergo extensive questioning before you are allowed back in. 

In the end, it is just a lot easier to get a Form I-94 replacement.

How Long Will It Take to Get a Replacement I-94 Card?

At the moment, there aren’t any clear guidelines on how long it will take to get your Form I-94 replacement. Some service centers report it could take up to two and a half months for your Form I-120 to be processed. Ultimately it will depend on the service center where you submit your Form I-120 and how straightforward your Form I-94 replacement is.

Conclusion

Replacing your Form I-94 should be the last thing you are worried about if you lose your possession or if it has been stolen. You won’t face any immediate serious consequences, and getting a Form I-94 replacement is quite simple. Just don’t wait too long before you take action. Rather be prepared than finding yourself in a situation where you need your I-94 replacement but don’t have one yet.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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