travel history green card

You must turn on JavaScript in order to use this website.

You are using an outdated browser and some features of this website may not work correctly. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• (888) 777-9102
• Learning Center

• How It Works
• All Packages & Pricing
• I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
• I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé
• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• I-131 Application for Travel Document
• I-485 Adjustment of Status Application
• I-751 Remove Conditions on Residence
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
• I-821D DACA Application Package
• I-864 Affidavit of Support
• N-400 Application for Naturalization
• N-565 Application to Replace Citizenship Document
• Citizenship Through Naturalization
• Citizenship Through Parents
• Apply For Citizenship (N-400)
• Apply for Certificate of Citizenship (N-600)
• Replace Citizenship Document (N-565)
• Apply for a Green Card
• Green Card Renewal
• Green Card Replacement
• Renew or Replace Green Card (I-90)
• Remove Conditions on Green Card (I-751)
• Green Card through Adjustment of Status
• Adjustment of Status Application (I-485)
• Affidavit of Support (I-864)
• Employment Authorization (I-765)
• Advance Parole Application (I-131)
• Adjustment of Status Fee
• Family-Based Immigration Explained
• Search the Learning Center
• Request Support
• Find an Immigration Attorney

Home » Guide to Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record

Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record

Form i-94 explained, what is form i-94, arrival/departure record.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record , to certain foreign nationals at the time of entry. They do not issue an I-94 arrival/departure record to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card holders), returning resident aliens (SB-1 visa holders), or most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. USCIS may also issue a Form I-94 as part of granting a foreign national an extension of stay or change of status. All other foreign nationals should be aware of their I-94 when: 

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

The purpose of Form I-94 is to communicate the terms of a foreign national's visit to the United States. It indicates information such as admission category and the expected departure date. But it also serves as proof of a non-citizen's lawful entry to the U.S. It's an essential document when applying for many other immigration statuses.

Foreign nationals who visit the United States through the Visa Waiver Program do not get Form I-94. Instead, they receive Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record).

How to Find Your Arrival/Departure Record

Where to get form i-94.

Most people can retrieve their I-94 arrival/departure record online from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website. However, CBP continues to issue paper-based arrival/departure records for some situations.

There’s no need to request an I-94. CBP automatically issues the electronic I-94 at entry through an airport or seaport. If you entered through a border crossing, CBP generally issues a paper Form I-94 with some exceptions as described below.

Electronic I-94 Record

Since May 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has automatically issued an electronic Form I-94 to travelers entering at air and sea ports. However, CBP doesn't issue the electronic I-94 directly to the traveler. Travelers must go to CBP’s I-94 website to obtain the electronic I-94 arrival/departure record. From here, you can print a document for your records.

The website also includes travel history from the previous 10 years of arrivals and departures. The travel history is an informational tool; it is not an official record for legal purposes.

Paper I-94 Record

Prior to May 2013, all foreign visitors received a paper I-94 arrival/departure record much like the sample. However, CBP continues to issue paper I-94 records in certain situations.

Since electronic I-94 arrival/departure records are only issued at air and sea ports of entry, a paper Form I-94 is still issued at the land border ports of entry. CBP also continues to provide a paper Form I-94 to certain classes of aliens, such as refugees, certain asylees and parolees, and whenever CBP determines the issuance of a paper form is appropriate.

Travelers can speed up their entry into the U.S. by providing their biographic and travel information, and paying the $6 fee for their I-94 application online up to seven days prior to their entry. You'll receive a provisional I-94 after submitting your application and payment.

Anatomy of an I-94

What does form i-94 look like.

The arrival/departure record contains important information regarding a foreign national's visit to the United States. The information is critical to knowing the extent of your authorized stay and staying "in status." The highlighted fields below are commonly needed when applying for certain immigration benefits. On the CBP website, you may print a copy like the sample Form I-94 below.

Admission (I-94) Record Number : Also known as the I-94 Number, Departure Number or Admission Record Number, it is an 11-character alphanumeric number. It provides a unique number for reach entry. Most Recent Date of Entry : This date should reflect the exact date that you were admitted to the United States. This can vary slightly from the date you physically entered the country if your inspection was outside the United States. Class of Admission : This code describes your category of nonimmigrant status. For example, it may indicate B-2 for leisure visitor or F-1 for student. Admit Until Date : This is the day your immigration status expires in the U.S. You must exit the U.S. on or before the Admit Until Date. For students and other exchange visitors, this date is “D/S” or Duration of Status. For other visa classifications, this will be a hard end date.

I-94 Troubleshooting Tips

What can i do if the cbp site doesn't find my record.

If you are having difficulty finding your electronic I-94 record using CBP's I-94 website , the American Immigration Lawyers Association recommends using the following troubleshooting tips:

• Enter the name as stated on your travel document (i.e. passport). If you are not successful using the passport, try using your visa or the submitted Form DS-160 (if available) for name variations. Try entering the name as stated on each document.
• Enter the first and middle name in the First Name field. In the first name field, type the first and the middle name (if any) with a space in between. Do this even if the middle name is not stated on the passport or visa.
• If this is not successful, try to switch the order of the names. Switch the last and first name when entering the information on the website. Some countries state the name in the passport as first name, last name, rather than the more standard order of last name, first name. This may cause the name to be recorded incorrectly in the CBP system.
• Enter multiple first names or multiple last names without spaces. If a person has two first names or two last names, type the first names without a space between them or the last names without a space between them. Example: type the first names “Mary Jane” as “Maryjane.”
• Check for multiple passport numbers. Check the Form DS-160 (if available) for the passport number stated. If the passport number on the Form DS-160 is different than the passport number on which the person was admitted, type the passport number as stated on the submitted Form DS-160. Also, check the passport number stated on the visa. If the passport number is different than the current passport, enter the passport number stated on the visa.
• Do not enter the year if included in the passport number. Some passport numbers may begin with the year in which the passport was issued, causing the number to be too long for the relevant field in CBP’s automation system. If relevant, try entering the passport number without the year. For example, a Mexican passport that was issued in 2008 may have a passport number that starts with “08” followed by nine digits. Try entering the passport number without the “08.” This problem should not arise for newer Mexican passports, as those passports do not begin with the year.
• Check the classification designated on the visa and compare it to the classification stated on the admission stamp in the passport, as there may be a slight variation. Be sure to try both designations. For example, the visa may state “E-3D” for an E-3 dependent, but the admission stamp may state only “E-3.” The automated I-94 could state the classification either way.

If none of the above efforts resolve the issue in locating your electronic I-94 record, telephone or visit a CBP Deferred Inspection Office and explain the problem. Over the years, we've seen several cases with visitors who were never issued a record. Contact the CBP with your flight information. Some of the Deferred Inspection Offices have been able to resolve the problem over the phone without an in person visit; however, other offices may require an in-person visit with the non-citizen.

Fixing an Incorrect Form I-94

What do i do if my arrival/departure record has incorrect information.

If you have an incorrect I-94 record, there is generally a way to fix it. A misspelled name or incorrect entry date may lead to confusion on other applications. Both Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may issue a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. If a mistake was made by you or the government, you’ll need to correct it.

Correct an Arrival/Departure Record Issued by CBP

If Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued your I-94 record, you'll need to visit the CBP Deferred Inspection Office closest to your location. Most foreign nationals receive an I-94 from CBP at the time of entry in one of the following ways.

• Electronic I-94 : Issued to the vast majority of foreign national visitors at air and sea ports of entry.
• Paper I-94 : Issued at land border ports of entry and to certain classes of aliens, such as refugees, certain asylees and parolees, and whenever CBP determines that issuance of a paper form is appropriate.

Sometimes CBP may issue an incorrect I-94. Common errors include incorrect entry dates or misspelled names. In many cases, these errors can easily be corrected. If you arrived at an airport, you can generally contact the CBP office inside the airport and request a correction.

When the airport does not have a CBP office, contact the closest CBP Deferred Inspection Site or call CBP at 1-877-CBP-5511 (1-877-227-5511). You may be required to visit the office with documentation (passport and visa) and your incorrect I-94 record.

Correct an Arrival/Departure Record Issued by USCIS

In some cases, USCIS issues a Form I-94 as part of granting a foreign national an extension of stay or change of status. If USCIS issued your Form I-94, you will need to file a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document .

When filing Form I-102 due to an incorrect I-94 record, you will need to submit a filing fee and supporting documentation that provides proof of the correct information. Attach a statement dated and signed by you, explaining specifically what information on your I-94 record is incorrect. You must also attach evidence verifying the validity of the information submitted for correction purposes. Finally, you must submit your original, incorrect I-94 with the I-102 application.

If the mistake on your Form I-94 record is due to a USCIS error, you'll need to request a correct I-94 through an Infopass appointment at your local USCIS office. Schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-375-5283. Take your original, incorrect I-94 record and evidence of the error to your appointment. USCIS will correct the I-94 at no cost. If you are unable to prove that the mistake was made by USCIS, you will be advised to file Form I-102 with a fee.

Replacing an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

What do i do about a lost i-94.

If you have a lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, it is possible to replace it. Before you start, it’s helpful to know if you have an electronic or paper I-94. Knowing this will help determine how to replace the Arrival/Departure Record. Replacing an electronic version is a simple matter. However, replacing paper I-94 records can take several months and generally require a filing fee.

Replace an Electronic Travel Record

Modern I-94 Arrival/Departure Records are available electronically if the foreign national traveled by air or sea. An electronic I-94 can be obtained by going to the CBP I-94 website .

"Replacing" an electronic I-94 form is easy and free. Simply return to the CBP I-94 website and enter the necessary information to lookup your Arrival/Departure Record. You may print the electronic I-94 for when submitting with USCIS applications.

Replace a Paper Travel Record

Before CBP issued I-94 records electronically, they provided a paper form to foreign nationals arriving to the United States. In fact, CBP continues to issue paper Form I-94 at land border ports of entry and to certain classes of aliens, such as refugees, certain asylees and parolees, and whenever CBP determines that issuance of a paper form is appropriate. A paper-based version of the arrival/departure record is labeled "Form I-94A."

Replacing a paper I-94A form is a little more complicated. You will need to file a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document . File the form with USCIS along with a $445 filing fee (at the time of writing this) and supporting documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do not confuse Form I-94 with a visa. They are closely related, but they are different.

The visa is an entry document. It must be valid when seeking admission into the United States. The I-94 (arrival/departure record) is a status document. It describes the foreign national's visa or parole status once inside the United States, and it also defines the length of stay permitted. Once a foreign national visitor is admitted to the United States, dates on the visa do not define how long the traveler is allowed to stay. Instead, the I-94 is the controlling document. Therefore, it's an extremely important document.

Your I-94 can expire, but make sure you are looking at the correct date. On an electronic document, you may see three dates:

• OMB Expiration Date: The first date in the top right-hand corner is the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) form expiration date. All government forms include OMB dates. The OMB validity date changes periodically and an expired OMB date does not invalidate the I-94 record or form. OMB dates are not related to a non-immigrant’s status in the U.S.
• Most Recent Date of Entry: Like it sounds, this is the most recent date that you entered the U.S.
• Admit Until Date: This is an extremely important date. The Admit Until Date is the date that your status expires. For students and other exchange visitors, this date is “D/S” or Duration of Status. For other visa classifications, this will be a hard end date. You must leave by this date or you will be in violation of your status.

There is no fee for the I-94 form. That’s true whether you’re arriving by land, air, or sea, and regardless of whether you get a paper or electronic record. The government provides the form at no cost.

However, you can optionally apply online for a provisional I-94 one week or less before your arrival date if you’re arriving at a land border port of entry. Applying for a provisional I-94 costs $6, but doing this can streamline the arrival process and minimize the time you spend waiting in line at the border.

How CitizenPath Helps You

Why is immigration so complicated.

CitizenPath's affordable, online service makes it easy to prepare USCIS immigration forms. Designed by immigration lawyers, the award-winning service helps you eliminate the common errors that create delays, rejections and even denials. That's because the service alerts you when your answer to a question may be a problem. You'll also get customized filing instructions based on your situation. It's a powerful, do-it-yourself tool that puts you in control. And we've got your back. CitizenPath provides live customer support and provides a money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve your application.

What Customers Say About CitizenPath

Immigration Form Guides Form I-90       Form I-129F       Form I-130       Form I-131       Form I-131A       Form I-134       Form I-485       Form I-751       Form I-765       Form I-821D       Form I-864       Form N-400       Form N-565       Form N-600

Sign Up to Receive Free Monthly Information for Your Immigration Journey

© Copyright 2013-2024, CitizenPath, LLC. All rights reserved. CitizenPath is a private company that provides self-directed immigration services at your direction. We are not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. The information provided in this site is not legal advice, but general information on issues commonly encountered in immigration. CitizenPath is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm. Your access to and use of this site is subject to additional Terms of Use .

Missing I-94 Arrival Record - How Do I Prove Lawful Entry to the United States?

Every year thousands of people apply for a green card based on their family relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. If you want to apply from inside the United States, you must prove that you entered the country lawfully. To prove that, you normally submit a copy of your I-94 Arrivals and Departure record with your Green Card application. The I-94 officially documents all the dates when you left and came into the United States through ports of entry. But what happens if you can't find your I-94 record? This article explains how to get a copy of your missing I-94 record and discusses other ways you may be able to prove lawful entry into the United States.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Written May 25, 2022

How do I prove legal entry into the U.S.?

When you apply for a marriage green card , child green card , or parent green card inside the United States, also known as an "adjustment of status," you must provide some supporting documents. Along with your green card application, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asks you to submit proof that an immigration official inspected you when you entered the United States. If you cannot provide evidence that you entered lawfully and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has no record of your lawful entry, USCIS will assume that you entered the country unlawfully. 

In most cases, you will prove that you entered the U.S. lawfully by providing a copy of your I-94 travel record. The I-94 is a document issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that inspects a foreign visitor when entering the United States through ports of entry. In addition to listing your date of entry, an I-94 record will also show your required departure date from the United States.

If you enter the United States by plane or by sea, you typically receive an electronic I-94 travel record from CBP. If you enter through a land border port of entry through Mexico, you can receive a paper I-94 record. On the other hand, if you entered the United States under ESTA or the Canadian Visa Waiver program, you would not receive an I-94 record. For more general information about the I-94 travel record, see the CBP's I-94 Fact Sheet .

What do I do if I can't find my "Form I-94"?

If you can't find your I-94 record (sometimes incorrectly called "Form I-94," an "I-94 card," or an "I-94 number"), then you're not alone. Maybe your travel documents were lost or stolen. Perhaps a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer spoke to you and then waived you through without inspecting your documents. Or maybe you came as a child on your parent's tourist visa and that document is now lost. Fortunately, there are other ways that you can prove that you entered the United States lawfully. Contact a local legal aid organization for help or read on to learn more. 

Request I-94 record from CBP

If you entered the United States after I-94 automation (April 30, 2013), you are in luck. If you received an I-94 record, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) likely entered it into their computer database. So on the CBP website , you can request a copy of your most recent I-94 , as well as your travel history from the past five years . This is a free, easy, and fast way of retrieving your I-94 record. 

Submit Form I-102 to USCIS

If you arrived in the United States before April 20, 2013, you probably received a paper I-94 record. You won't be able to find a copy of this record online on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's website. Instead, you will need to file a paper form with USCIS to request a replacement I-94. You must fill out Form I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document) and mail it to USCIS. If USCIS has your I-94 record, you should receive a copy of it within about two and a half months. Unfortunately, filing Form I-102 is not without cost - it carries a $445 filing fee.

Submit a FOIA request

If you can't afford the expense of filing Form I-102 , you could also request a copy of your I-94 through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. In a FOIA request, you are asking the U.S. government for a copy of your immigration file. You can file a FOIA request by completing a paper form or by writing a letter to USCIS . 

But you will receive an answer faster if you apply online on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once you submit your request online, DHS will forward it to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Hopefully, CBP will find your I-94 record and return a copy of it to you. FOIA requests are typically free. Be warned though — this process takes time. You may have to wait for up to 12 months before you receive documents from the government.

What else can I do if I can't replace my missing I-94 arrival record?

If you can't find your I-94 travel record in any of these ways, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will presume that you entered the country unlawfully. So if you still want to apply for a green card, you need to provide other documents with your application:

A notarized written statement that clearly explains why you don't have your I-94 record. This statement, called an "affidavit," should describe your lawful entry to this country in as much detail as possible, including:

When, where, and how you arrived in the United States

What travel documents you had, if any,

Whether you showed any travel documents to the U.S. immigration officer who inspected you, and

Any questions the immigration officer asked you

Other evidence proving that you arrived in the United States lawfully. For example, perhaps you can show a plane ticket or boarding pass with your name on it. Or perhaps you can show your parents' passport admission stamp from the date of your arrival with them as a child.

If you don't have other evidence of your lawful arrival, you need to provide at least two affidavits from people who have first-hand knowledge of your lawful entry to the United States. For example, if you know who picked you up from the airport, perhaps they could sign an affidavit swearing that you arrived lawfully by plane. Those affidavits should contain the same level of detail as your own affidavit discussed above. 

But USCIS believes that affidavits are less convincing than concrete evidence. So you should be cautious about applying if you don't have other evidence of your lawful arrival. If you do choose to apply, you should seek legal help from a local legal aid agency or an experienced immigration lawyer .

Proving that you entered the United States lawfully is critical if you want to apply for a green card while inside the country. In most cases, the I-94 travel record is the way to prove your legal entry. If you can't find your I-94 record, you may be able to search for it on CBP's website or obtain it by filing Form I-102 or a FOIA request. If none of those options work, you can also try proving lawful entry through affidavits and other evidence such as plane tickets. 

Continue reading and learning!

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• For International Visitors

Arrival/Departure Forms: I-94 and I-94W

Foreign visitors to the U.S. no longer need to complete paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or Form I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record . Those who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online. CBP now gathers travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records.

Now at the land border, travelers will be issued I-94s electronically and will no longer receive a paper I-94 stub. CBP encourages travelers requiring an I-94 to use the CBP One™ mobile app or the CBP I-94 website to apply for their I-94. For Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers, an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is now required for entry and must be obtained prior to arriving at the U.S. land border. VWP travelers are encouraged to use the I-94 website or CBP One™ mobile app to apply for an I-94 in advance.

If a traveler would like a paper Form I-94, the traveler can print their own I-94 Form from the I-94 website using "Get Most Recent I-94" or by using the same option on the CBP One™ mobile application. A paper form can be requested during the inspection process but all such requests will be accommodated in a secondary setting.

If travelers need the information from their Form I-94 admission record to verify immigration status or employment authorization, they are encouraged to get their I-94 Number from the I-94 website or by using the CBP One™ mobile app. Upon exiting the U.S., travelers issued a paper Form I-94 should surrender it to the commercial carrier, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), or to CBP upon departure. If you received an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air or sea or land and depart via land, your departure may not be recorded accurately. A departure will be recorded if you depart via land and re-enter the United States prior to the expiration date stamped in your passport. If you are not a resident of Canada or Mexico and you receive an electronic I-94 and depart via land but do not re-enter the United States prior to the expiration date stamped on your passport, you may want to travel with evidence of your departure into Canada or Mexico. Evidence of departure can include, but is not limited to, entry stamps in a passport, transportation tickets, pay stubs and/or other receipts. A traveler can request an entry stamp from CBSA when entering Canada or from the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) when entering Mexico.

Otherwise, when leaving via air or sea, CBP will record the departure electronically via manifest information provided by the carrier or by CBP.

This automation streamlines the entry process for travelers, facilitates security and reduces federal costs. CBP estimates that the automated process will save the agency $15.5 million a year.

For more information and for answers to frequently asked questions, see the I-94 Fact Sheet .

The CBP INFO Center offers questions and answers for I-94 .

Beginning in May 2019, I-94 numbers will be alphanumeric. Currently, I-94 numbers are 11 digits long and only contain numbers. In order to minimize program impact resulting from the depletion of numeric-only I-94 numbers and to create a long-term solution for the creation of new numbers, CBP is switching to alphanumeric I-94s. I-94 numbers will remain at 11 characters but will follow the format of 9 digits, followed by a letter in the 10th position, and a digit in the 11th position. Unexpired I-94s issued in the current numeric-only format will continue to be valid until the Admit Until Date printed on the paper I-94 and/or the date displayed on the I-94 website .

Immigration help for your business

• News & Reports
• Guides: Individual immigration

Form I-94, Explained

How the i-94 arrival/departure record keeps track of your travel history — and why it matters, in this guide.

• What is the Form I-94?
• Easy. Online. Immigration.
• Who Needs an I-94 Form?
• How Do I Get an I-94 Card?
• Understanding the I-94 travel history
• I-94 arrival-departure record number
• How Much Does the I-94 Form Cost?
• Form I-94 FAQs
• Related Articles

Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record Card) is a crucial document U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues to track people entering and exiting the United States.  Here’s why it’s important:

• It serves as proof that you entered the country legally as a non-citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• It specifies the date by which you must depart the U.S. This is especially important for non-immigrants, such as students or scholars, whose stay is limited to a specific period.
• The I-94 document also indicates the authorized duration of your stay in the U.S., which can be helpful for employers who are verifying your employment eligibility.

Historically, the I-94 was a small white paper card that visitors surrendered upon leaving the country. Currently, most visitors arriving by air or sea have electronic I-94 records . If you arrive by land, you may still receive a paper version. In this article, we’ll explain how it works.

Take our short visa planning quiz to get started.

Sponsoring a work visa? Learn about Boundless for Business.

Here’s a breakdown of who needs an I-94 form:

• Most people traveling to the U.S. who aren’t citizens:  This includes tourists, students, temporary workers, exchange visitors, etc
• Individuals who are adjusting their status while in the U.S.
• Individuals planning to extend their current non-immigrant stay in the U.S.
• Non-citizens returning to the U.S.

You do not need an I-94 travel record if you are:

• A U.S. Citizen
• A Lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
• An individual with an immigrant visa
• A Canadian citizen visiting or in transit
• Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP); they get an I-94W instead, which is usually processed online

Most people entering the United States who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents get an I-94 travel record form automatically issued to them upon arrival.

Exceptions are made for those entering on the Visa Waiver Program or Compact of Free Association , using Border Crossing Cards , re-entering using automatic visa revalidation (a system used by some visa-holders who briefly visit Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean), or entering temporarily as part of an airline flight crew.

Immigration Glossary

• Visa Waiver Program:  A program that lets citizens of certain countries visit the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without needing a traditional visa.
• Border Crossing Cards:  These cards function like visas for some Mexican citizens, allowing them to visit the U.S. for short periods.
• Automatic Visa Revalidation:  A special rule that lets people with certain visas make quick trips to Canada, Mexico, or some Caribbean islands without needing a new visa to re-enter the U.S.

IMPORTANT: Some people who aren’t required to have an I-94 travel record must instead fill out Form I-94W (for visitors using visa waivers) or Form I-95 (for flight crew members). These forms have a similar purpose to a regular I-94. Upon arrival, check with the CBP Officer if you think this might apply to you.

The U.S. immigration system can seem complicated, but Boundless can guide you through the whole process from start to finish. Get started today!

How you get an I-94, depends on how you enter the U.S. If you enter by land, you’ll receive a paper I-94 card. If you enter by sea or air, you won’t receive a paper I-94 but will instead receive an electronic I-94 record.

Arriving by air or sea

Most visitors entering the U.S. by air or sea will have an electronic I-94 record automatically created for them when they go through customs. When you arrive in the United States, you’ll show your passport and visa to a CBP agent, who will enter your information into an electronic tracking system . They will then stamp your passport, to show you entered the U.S. lawfully.

You’ll probably receive printed instructions about how to access your electronic I-94, but using the CBP’s online system , you can easily view your travel record and download or print a copy for your records.

Arriving by land

If you arrive at a land border crossing, you’ll likely receive a small, white paper I-94 card. A CBP officer will fill it out and usually staple it into your passport. To save time at the border, you can apply for an I-94 before you come to the U.S. through CBP’s online system . Note, there is a $6 fee for this.

Whether electronic or paper, be sure to keep your I-94 safe. You will need to hand in the paper version when leaving the U.S., so the U.S. government can track your departure and know that you left the country before your visa expired. Also, you may need this form for things like applying for a driver’s license, getting a job, or changing your immigration status.

I-94 travel history is essentially a log of your past entries and exits when coming and going from the U.S. It’s tracked through your I-94 records. It includes details around the dates you arrived and departed from the U.S., the ports of entry and exit, your class of admission (e.g., your reason for visiting) such as tourism, student visa, etc. It also includes how long you were authorized to stay on each visit.

Both your stamped passport and your electronic or paper I-94 record will show your “ Admit Until Date ,” which shows how long you are allowed to remain in the United States. The CBP agent who stamps your passport may simply write “ Duration of Status ” or “D/S,” which indicates that you’re allowed to remain in the United States as long as your current visa remains valid.

Why it’s important

Your I-94 travel history can be important for several reasons:

• It shows that you have entered the country legally in the past.
• If you’re applying to change or adjust your immigration status, you may need to provide your I-94 travel history as supporting documentation.
• If there are any errors or issues with your immigration record, the travel history can help clarify them.

Where to find your I-94 travel history

You can access your I-94 travel history on the CBP website . You’ll usually see your last 5 years of travel history, but you can request a full history if needed.

If you extend your stay or adjust your status after arriving in the United States — such as by gaining a green card — then U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue a new I-94 or other documentation to reflect your new situation. In such cases, the new documentation will be your primary way of showing your lawful status.

Once CBP approves your lawful entry and issues the I-94 form, a unique code will be assigned to your record. This number is linked to a specific entrance and reason for visiting the United States, so you’ll receive a different I-94 number each time you arrive in the country. The number, which you can find on your paper I-94 card or on your electronic record, may sometimes be required by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or your employer may need it for their records.

If you need to replace a Form I-94, you can do it on the CBP website or by calling CBP at 1-877-CBP-5511 (1-877-227-5511) Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. 

Until May 2019, I-94 numbers were an 11-digit string of numbers. Now, though, CBP has switched to using an 11-character alphanumeric code — a mix of numbers and letters. You won’t need to worry about this, since unexpired I-94 forms based on the old numeric system will remain valid until their “Admit Until Date” has passed.

There is no fee for the I-94 form. That’s true whether you’re arriving by land, air, or sea, and regardless of whether you get a paper or electronic record.

If you’re arriving at a land border port of entry, you can optionally apply online for a provisional I-94 one week or less before your arrival date. Applying for a provisional I-94 costs $6, but can streamline the arrival process and minimize the time you spend waiting in line at the border.

Obtaining a copy of your I-94 travel record is also free if you entered the United States after April 2013. For earlier records, you can request a copy by submitting Form I-102 (officially called the “Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document”) and paying a $560 filing fee.

While an I-94 travel record is free, immigrating can be expensive. Learn the costs for common USCIS forms and fees here.

It’s easy to access your I-94 form using CBP’s online portal . You’ll need to make sure you enter your information — such as your name and passport details — correctly in order to log on.

If you can’t find your I-94 travel record using the online system, check here for official guidance on how to make sure you’re entering your information correctly, and to get further assistance if necessary.

If there’s an error in your I-94 travel record, you’ll need to contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to make the correction. You can schedule an in-person interview at a local USCIS office, or call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for more information.

Note that if the error was made when you first entered the United States, you’ll need to visit a local CBP deferred inspection site or port of entry to have it changed.

Keep calm! It’s normally an easy fix. Since most I-94 records are now kept electronically, you’ll usually be able to download a copy of your travel record from the CBP website at no charge.

In some cases, such as if you entered the United States prior to April 2013, the process can be more complicated and expensive. You can learn more about your options in the Boundless guide to getting a copy of your I-94 .

It’s worth keeping a hard copy of your I-94 travel record in a safe place. To download or print out a copy of your I-94 card, simply log onto the CBP’s I-94 website and follow the on-screen instructions.

Electronic travel records are convenient in most cases, but things can get complicated if you receive an electronic record after arriving in the United States by sea or by air, but then leave the country at a land border crossing. At land borders, departures are still primarily tracked using paper I-94 travel records, so if you have an electronic record your departure may not be automatically recorded.

In such cases, you’ll want to make sure you have another way to prove that you left the country before your visa expired. One option is to request an entrance stamp in your passport from the Canadian or Mexican authorities. You can also keep transport tickets, receipts, or pay stubs to show that you left the United States before your visa expired.

Article Contents

Apply for your visa with boundless., unlimited live support. lawyer review. money-back guarantee., which service.

Looks like you were working on a application just now. Applicants typically only require one service at a time.

You unlocked a $50 discount!

Congrats! Because your friend referred you, your application with Boundless is discounted. Start the application with Boundless within the next 14 days, and you'll save $50.

IMMIGRATION LAW BLOG

Stay up-to-date on the latest immigration law news, with the Cohen & Tucker team's insights behind the headlines

Travel History: Your Complete Guide To Form I-94

Why is an i-94 important.

The new I-94 form is important for people who need an accurate record of when they enter and leave the United States by air or sea. Immigration agencies may use your I-94 information to make a determination about your standing in the United States and your eligibility for certain types of visas. Here’s what you need to know about your I-94, travel history, and how to check your information. 

What Is Form I-94?

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is issued by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep track of non-citizens’ arrivals and departures. The purpose of Form I-94 is to keep a record of documented entry and ensure timely departure. It helps immigration authorities maintain a record of potential immigrants’ and non-immigrants’ compliance with visa laws and the verification of immigration status.

Form I-94 acts as a supporting document for most immigrant and non-immigrant visa purposes. It shows that you have a history of abiding by the law with arrival and departure dates from United States ports of entry. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding Form I-94.

Who Needs Form I-94?

People who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (i.e. green card holders) will be issued Form I-94 (or an equivalent) automatically upon entering the country. Form I-94 is an important tool that immigration institutions use to track data and ensure all travel in and out of the United States is documented. Automation makes the process quick, easy, and efficient for everyone involved.

Every non-immigrant who travels to the United States will automatically receive Form I-94. The Form I-94 provides information about entry as well as the date you must depart the United States by. The Form I-94 is often used when U.S. immigration officials make decisions on applications to change, extend, or adjust status and is used as supporting evidence to prove good standing and immigration compliance. 

You will need to present your I-94 information while you’re going through the process of obtaining a green card. If you eventually decide to obtain U.S. citizenship , you won’t need travel documents anymore. You’re free to come and go as you please in accordance with the travel and visa laws of your destination countries. You only need to present your valid U.S. driver’s license or passport as proof of citizenship and travel eligibility. 

How Do You Get an I-94 Travel Record?

There are two ways to start or update an I-94 travel record. The process will be automatic for most visitors. Many people don’t even realize that United States immigration services have created and maintained the form on their behalf. If you arrive at the United States border by land transportation, the process is slightly different.

Paper I-94 Documents

Paper I-94 cards are only issued to non-citizens who arrive in the United States by land. This is most common for foreign visitors from Mexico or Canada.

If you enter the United States through a land border port of entry at the Mexican or Canadian border, you’ll be issued an I-94 card that will be attached to your passport. Border officers will give you an admission stamp on your passport. When you leave the country, you’ll show the border officer your passport with the card attached. They will manually verify your departure with your paper form.

Electronic I-94 Documents

Most people enter the United States by air. Comparatively, few non-citizens cross into the United States at a physical point of entry at the Canadian or Mexican border. If you’re arriving by plane, I-94 issuance is automatic. The United States takes care of it for you, and you’ll get a physical stamp on your passport to serve as proof that you entered the country with documentation. 

If you ever need to access your electronic I-94 travel record, you can view it through U.S. CBP online . Their online system will allow you to view your travel history and print a physical copy of your most recent I-94 if you need to present them at a meeting with immigration officials or bring them with you to a port of entry. Immigration officials will also have access to your electronic travel record.

You can also view your travel history through U.S. CBP online . This can be helpful if you are completing a petition or application that requires information about prior trips to the U.S. CBP’s website provides information about entries and departures including the date and location. 

How Much Does Form I-94 Cost?

Most forms and petitions filed with U.S. immigration institutions require some kind of filing fee. Form I-94 does not. It’s created for free automatically when you travel to the United States. The form is part of immigration’s normal bookkeeping process, and it’s a document they use for their own reference. You generally shouldn’t have to pay for an I-94 card or electronic form.

The only exception to the free cost is when you apply for a provisional I-94 online. A provisional I-94 costs $6 USD. A provisional I-94 can reduce your wait time at a U.S. land border inspection site. Wait times at the border can be lengthy, and anything you can do to simplify the process may help you get through quicker. If you already have an I-94 when you arrive, you don’t need to wait for one to be created for you.

What Is an I-94 Number?

When you’re communicating with immigration agencies, they’ll ask you for a lot of numbers. Cases are assigned numbers, and immigrants are assigned alien registration numbers. If someone asks you for your I-94 number, it’s a little more complicated to find what you need.

Each I-94 number will be a combination of 11 numbers and letters. You don’t have a single I-94 number. You’re given a number for every arrival in the United States. If you need to prove I-94 numbers for official documents or requests, you’ll likely need to provide each individual number for your arrivals. 

What Happens If You Arrive and Depart in Different Ways?

Electronic I-94 records are for arrivals by air, and paper I-94 records are for arrivals by land. So, what happens if you arrive by plane and leave by land, or vice versa? If you arrived by air and are leaving by land, you need to find a different way to prove that you left the country before your “admit until date.” 

The easiest way to obtain alternative proof of your departure is to ask Canadian or Mexican border authorities for a passport stamp when you arrive. This passport stamp serves as proof that you left the country on time by demonstrating that you were in a different country before the expiration of your visa. 

What Happens If You Lose Your I-94 Information?

If your I-94 is electronic, you can’t lose it. Border officers will create a digital version of your paper I-94 card for their records and store a copy of the information on your behalf.

Immigration agencies will always have your official I-94 record, even if you don’t have access to it. You can view your information by going to the CBP website  and providing information about yourself and passport. You shouldn’t need to have a printed physical copy of your electronic information unless an employer or an agency has specifically asked you to provide one.

For older and paper I-94s, you can request a replacement by filing Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document with USCIS. 

What Happens If Your I-94 Travel History Contains Errors?

If you find an error on your I-94 travel history, such as an incorrect arrival or departure date, you need to contact CBP to have the error fixed. Documentation like passport stamps or proof that you boarded a flight can be used to verify or correct your arrival/departure record. CBP won’t charge you a fee to correct your I-94 record if they’re responsible for the error. 

What Happens If Your Arrival or Departure Isn’t Listed on Your Form?

USCIS, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) require every visitor to the United States to enter the country with proper documentation. If you don’t have listed arrival or departure dates for your visits to the United States, you may have trouble re-entering the United States or changing your immigration status. 

You can be removed from the United States and banned from re-entering for a period of several years. Future attempts to obtain a visa may be significantly more difficult. You’ll need the help of an experienced immigration attorney if you’d like to return to the United States after an undocumented arrival. 

Do You Need Help With Your Travel History or Immigration Forms?

If you intend to come to the United States as a visitor or an immigrant, it’s important to have a valid I-94 travel record. If there are issues with your travel record or if you arrived in the United States without passing through an official port of entry, you’ll encounter obstacles returning to the United States or changing your immigration status. 

The thorough immigration legal team at Cohen, Tucker + Ades can help. Contact us for a consultation on your case. We’ll be able to advise you of the best path forward for your situation.

Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, Information for Completing USCIS Forms | USCIS

CBP One™ Allows Travelers (Air) to request Advance Travel Authorization | USCIS

How do I get information about requirements for traveling abroad? | USCIS

Border Wait Times | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP.gov)

I-94 | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP.gov)

Not sure which option is right for you? Request a confidential consultation today.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Form I-94 arrival-departure record for U.S. visitors

Forms I-94 and I-94W (for nonimmigrants with a visa waiver) record the arrival and departure dates of people visiting the U.S.

Who needs an I-94 form

Everyone entering the U.S. needs an I-94 or I-94W form except:

• American citizens
• Returning resident aliens
• Non-U.S. citizens with immigrant visas
• Most Canadian citizens who are visiting or in transit

How to apply for or see your current Form I-94

Download the CBP One app on your cell phone or tablet or visit the official Form I-94 website to:

• See your most recent I-94 form and print it, in case you need your record of legal admission to the U.S. The CBP One app also allows you to have a digital version of your I-94 on your phone
• Request an I-94 if you are traveling by land. You can apply for an I-94 and pay the $6 fee in advance, to save time at the land port of entry. (If you are traveling by air or sea, you will receive an I-94 at your port of entry during the admission process.)
• Get a history of your arrivals and departures from the U.S. for the last 10 years
• Find out how long you are legally allowed to stay in the US
• Read frequently asked questions about the I-94

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sends visitors email reminders about their remaining time in the U.S. In addition, it sends notifications to travelers who may have exceeded their admission period.

I-94W for travelers traveling under the Visa Waiver Program

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries must have an approved and current authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to apply for their I-94W in advance through the CBP One app or the Form I-94 web page.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

I just received a green card. Do I need to keep track of all my international trips?

Sprintax - The name for nonresident tax

• Go To Sprintax

On January 19, 2024 by Kristina Valcheva 0 comments

U.s. entry and exit dates – how to check your travel history.

(Last updated: 19 Jan, 2024)

In order to prepare your US tax documents, you will need to know the exact dates on which you traveled in or out of the US.

However, if you don’t know your travel history and you need to double-check the exact entry and exit dates, the good news is that you can easily do this online.

The US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) keeps a record of all nonresidents who travel to the country over the past 5 years.

These documents also include the reason for their travel and the dates of their previous visits to the US.

In this post, we will discuss how to track all your travel history paperwork.

When do I need my US travel history?

Applications for a visa, or Green card, as well as filing a 1040NR tax return require that you know precisely when you entered and exited the US.

If the information is not accurate, this could cause rejection or delays in visa applications, or other challenges when you file your tax return.

Also, every non-American citizen who performs the “substantial presence test” may be classified as “resident” for tax purposes if they don’t know the exact days of arrival and departure.

The correct determination of residency is a very important issue for every international student in the US. This impacts both the tax you have to pay and the documents you need when you file a tax return.

Now, you can easily track your entry and exit dates in the US on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website.

You can easily determine your US tax residency status for free by using Sprintax.

Get started here

What is Form I-94?

Form I-94 Arrival/ Departure record is an electronic or paper document that is issued by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to foreign nationals who enter the US.

Since most people who enter the US are not US lawful permanent residents, Form I-94 is given to them upon arrival.

It’s important to know that you need it when you are leaving the US, as this is how the government keeps track of your departure date, and knows that you did not stay in the US beyond the period permitted by your visa.

What to do if my I-94 is inaccurate?

You will need to contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as soon as possible to make the relevant change in the information.

You can call 1-800-375-5283 for additional information.

What to do if my l-94 is lost/stolen?

This is usually easy to fix, but you will need to report the missing document to the local police station.

You must also contact USCIS (1-800-375-5283) and apply for a replacement. In most cases, you should be able to download a copy of your travel record from the CBP website at no charge.

What information do I need to access my US travel history?

To access your US travel history online, you will need:

• Your first and last name
• Passport number
• Date of birth
• Country of citizenship

When you have this information, you can start with your US travel history check.

How do I get entry and exit dates in the US?

1. Go to US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) homepage . 2. Click on “Need history of your travel and departures” 3. Click on Consent & Continue when the Security page pops up 4. Then enter your personal information, such as name, date of birth, and passport number. 5. On the next page, you will be able to see your travel history and print it.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it necessary to enter all entries and exits to the us even prior to living in it i have been visiting the us ever since i was a baby and i don’t have all the passports and visas from that time.

Your residency status is determined by the complete history of all your visits to the US, including any visits as a student, trainee, tourist, and all other entries to the US from 1986 onwards.

If you don’t remember, or cannot locate the exact entry and exit dates to the US simply enter approximate ones.

Тhe i94.gov is not showing my visits. It says there are no results for the traveler information.

The i94 website will show all visits made with your current passport. If you changed your passport you will need your old passport number(s) to check all your visits.

If you don’t remember, or cannot locate the exact entry and exit dates to the US, simply enter approximate ones.

For the visit history on the residency page on Sprintax, should I include trips in and out of the country over winter break for example, even though I was on the same visa all the time?

Yes, you need to include all entry and exit dates to the US, even short ones, as they are used for counting your days of presence in the US and determining your residency status.

I’ve been to the US as a tourist before in 2012. Should I enter that as my record?

Yes, you need to include all entry and exit dates to the US, as they are used for counting your days of presence in the US and determining your residency status.

When doing my taxes through Sprintax, I was asked for my arrival and departure dates. How far back should you go with this information?

We would need you to provide all of your residency information, and all of your entry and exit dates in order to be able to correctly determine your tax residency.

How far back do the entry and exit dates need to go?

Your residency status is determined by the complete history of all your visits to the US including any visits as a student, trainee, tourist, and all other entries to the US from 1989 onwards.

When entering the history of all entries and exits to the US, how accurate does it have to be? I don’t know if I can remember the exact dates.

It’s OK if you don’t enter the exact entry and exit dates if you don’t remember them, however, you need to be as precise as possible.

Leave a reply.

* Copy This Password *

* Type Or Paste Password Here *

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"
• Departments

Language selection

• Search and menus

Access to Information and Privacy Travel History Report

In this section.

A Travel History Report is a record of a traveller's entries, exits or both into Canada. This information is collected by the Canada Border Services Agency ( CBSA ).

Retention period for a Travel History Report is 15 years.

The CBSA began collecting traveller exit information on foreign nationals (excluding American citizens) entering the United States from Canada on June 30, 2013 . As of July 11, 2019 , the CBSA collects exit information on all travellers (including Canadian and American citizens) in the land mode and in the commercial air mode as of June 25, 2020 . Exit data may also be requested through the Travel History Report.

Highway Passage Reports may also be requested; however, they indicate only that a specific licence plate has been recorded, and do not show the people travelling in the vehicle.

Information collected for Travel History Reports

The records for both Entries and Exits include:

• date of birth
• citizenship
• date of entry
• location of the port of entry, and
• any document numbers associated with that travel, such as a passport number

When not to ask for a Travel History Report

When you request your Travel History Report directly from the CBSA it can take up to 30 days to complete. There are many reasons you may require your report, but sometimes requesting it directly is not the best option. When your travel history is needed as part of an application, such as the application for Canadian citizenship, check the form for the option to release your report. Using this option means that you will not have to request it yourself. When this option is available, requesting the report directly from the CBSA will cause a significant delay to your application process. Listed below are the three applications that do not require you to request your report directly from the CBSA .

Applying for Canadian Citizenship: Adults and Minors

If you are applying for Canadian Citizenship, you do not need to request your Traveller History Report from the CBSA. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can collect the report on your behalf when needed since consent to share information about the entry/exit information is no longer required.

Applying for Canadian Citizenship: Unaccompanied Minor

If you are applying for Canadian Citizenship you do not need to request your Traveller History Report from the CBSA . Checking "Yes" on page 6, Question 9 (b) of your application form permits Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ( IRCC ) to collect the report on your behalf.

Applying for a Permanent Resident card

If you are renewing or applying for a Permanent Resident Card you do not need to request your Traveller History Report from the CBSA . Checking "Yes" on page 3, (Section 7) Consent to Disclose Information allows IRCC to collect the report on your behalf.

Getting your Travel History report

If you have checked the When not to request your Travel History Report section and still need to request a copy, you can apply online by following the instructions on the Access to Information and Privacy online request page. Note that it may take up to 30 days to process your request.

If you are applying for yourself, you can do so under the Privacy Act, which is a free service provided by the Government of Canada.

If you are applying for someone else, you must provide form BSF745 - Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Representative completed by the party you are representing.

To get a highway passage report, provide the licence plate number and a copy of the vehicle's ownership. If you are not the owner, you will need to provide the CBSA with a BSF745 form completed by the owner of the vehicle.

When requesting your Travel History Report, you must indicate whether you are seeking your exit information, your entry information, or both. Exit information is limited and will only be included when specifically requested.

How to Check Your Travel History Using a Green Card in the USA

Introduction, what is a green card, how to check your travel history using a green card, reasons to check your travel history, tips for checking your travel history, how often should you check your travel history, frequently asked questions.

About the Author

If you’re a green card holder in the United States, you may be wondering how to check your travel history. Luckily, it’s easy to do and only takes a few steps.

Checkout this video:

Watch this video on YouTube

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you will have a green card as evidence of your status. Your green card gives you the right to live and work permanently in the United States. It also allows you to travel freely in and out of the country.

If you need to check your travel history, there are a few ways to do so. One way is to check your green card itself. The front of the card has a space for a physical description of the cardholder, as well as an expiration date. The back of the card has a space for entry and exit stamps from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If you have been fingerprinted by CBP during any previous travels, those prints will also be on file and can be used to confirm your travel history.

Another way to check your travel history is through the CBP website. You can create an account and login to view your travel history information. This information includes the dates and places of your entries into and exits from the United States, as well as any other information that CBP has on file for you.

If you need to provide proof of your travel history for any reason, you can request a copy of your travel history from CBP. There is no fee for this service. You can make your request online, by mail, or in person at a CBP office.

A Green Card is an identification card that proves that you are a permanent resident of the United States. If you have a Green Card, you are allowed to live and work permanently in the United States. You can also travel freely in and out of the United States.

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you will have a green card issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).Your green card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States.

As a permanent resident, you are required to maintain your green card. One way to do this is to keep track of your travels outside the United States. If you travel outside the United States and return using your green card, you should keep track of the following information:

-The dates of your travels -The reason for your travel -The country you visited -The port of entry back into the United States

You can find this information by looking at the stamps in your passport. If you do not have a passport, you can ask for a printout of your travel history from the USCIS.

If you are a permanent resident of the United States, it is important to keep track of your travel history. You may need to provide this information to the U.S. government for various reasons, such as applying for a job or entering the country after traveling abroad.

There are two ways to check your travel history if you have a green card. The first is to look at the stamps in your passport. The second is to request a copy of your I-94 form from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The I-94 form is an arrival/departure record that is issued to foreign nationals when they enter the United States. This form includes information such as your date of entry, visa type, and length of stay in the country. If you have lost your I-94 form, you can request a replacement from DHS using their online form or by calling 1-800-357-2099.

Checking your travel history is important for several reasons. For example, if you plan on applying for U.S. citizenship, you will need to provide proof of residency in the country for at least five years (or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen). Additionally, many employers will ask to see your I-94 form as part of their hiring process. So, it is a good idea to keep a copy of this form in your records in case you need it in the future

There are a few different ways to check your travel history if you are a permanent resident of the United States. The most common and simplest method is to check the entry and exit stamps in your passport. If you do not have a passport, you can usually find your travel history by looking at your old boarding passes or other documents that show when and where you have traveled.

Another way to check your travel history is to request a copy of your I-94 form from the US Department of Homeland Security. The I-94 form is an official document that records all of the dates that you have entered and left the United States. You can request a copy of your I-94 form by filling out an online form on the Department of Homeland Security website.

If you need more detailed information about your travel history, you can also request a copy of your immigration file from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This file will contain all of the documents related to your immigration status, including any applications or petitions that you have filed with USCIS. You can request a copy of your immigration file by filling out an online form on the USCIS website.

Most people don’t realize that they can easily check their travel history using their green card. In fact, it’s a good idea to check your travel history regularly, especially if you travel often.

There are two ways to check your travel history. The first is to go through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website. The second is to request a copy of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record from the CBP.

The I-94 is the official record of your arrival and departure from the United States. It’s important to keep track of your I-94 because it contains information that can be used to verify your legal status in the United States.

To check your travel history using the CBP website, simply enter your green card number into the search box on the CBP website. You’ll then be able to see a list of all of the times you’ve entered and exited the United States.

To request a copy of your I-94, you can fill out an online form on the CBP website or contact the CBP directly. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and green card number when you request a copy of your I-94.

It is possible to check your travel history if you have a green card in the USA. However, there is no single database that stores all of this information. Instead, you will need to check multiple sources, including your passport, airline records, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Electronics System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

There are a couple of ways that you can check your travel history if you have a green card in the USA. The first is to check the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record that was issued to you when you entered the country. This will have a record of every time you have entered and left the USA.

The other way to check your travel history is to request a copy of your complete immigration file from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). This can take up to 60 days to process, so if you need your travel history urgently, the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is the best option.

Q: How can I check my travel history using a Green Card in the USA?

A: Unfortunately, there is no sure way to check your travel history using a Green Card in the USA. However, if you have lost your Green Card or it has been stolen, you may be able to obtain a new one by filing Form I-90 with the USCIS. Additionally, if you have applied for or been granted asylum in the USA, your case file may contain information on your travel history.

Anna Liptak is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in travel, food, and lifestyle. She has contributed to numerous publications, including BBC Travel, Afar, Condé Nast Traveler, Tripadvisor, Fodor’s Travel, and more. Anna is also the author of two guidebooks: 100 Places to Go in the US and Canada Before You Die and 100 Places to Go in Europe Before You Die.

Related Posts

Which Countries Are on the Green List for Travel?

Can Someone With a Green Card Travel Outside the US?

The Best Army Green Travel Bags

The Traveler’s Notebook in Mint Green is a Must-Have

About the author.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

AmEx Green Review: Triple Points on Dining and Travel, Plus Credits

This card is a great fit for travelers who can make use of its valuable transfer partners, rich rewards and generous credits. Doing so takes some time and effort, though, and cheaper options exist.

Transferable points

• High rewards rates
• No foreign transaction fee
• Has annual fee
• Some low-value redemptions

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Ongoing APR

APR: See Pay Over Time APR

Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

Foreign transaction fee

• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express® Green Card.
• $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Compare to Other Cards

Detailed review: American Express® Green Card

Among travel credit cards, the $150 -annual fee American Express® Green Card is a strong choice.

It earns Membership Rewards — AmEx's versatile rewards currency, which can be transferred to several different loyalty programs — and features high ongoing rewards rates on travel and restaurants worldwide. You'll also get some unique and potentially valuable travel credits, not to mention an impressive welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Cheaper options exist. But for travelers and folks who can take advantage of the card's perks and rewards — say, by transferring points to other airline and hotel programs and making high-value redemptions — it's a good deal.

» MORE: Making the most of the American Express Green Card

American Express® Green Card : Basics

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

Card type: Travel , dining.

Annual fee: $150 .

Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases.

3 points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide.

1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

Terms apply.

Membership Rewards points are super flexible and can range in value from about 0.5 cents to 1 cent each depending on how you redeem them, with travel and gift card redemptions generally being the most valuable. Points are also transferable and can be worth even more if redeemed strategically after being transferred to other loyalty programs.

Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio).

AeroMexico (1:1.6 ratio).

Air Canada. (1:1 ratio).

Air France/KLM (1:1 ratio).

ANA (1:1 ratio).

Avianca (1:1 ratio).

British Airways (1:1 ratio).

Cathay Pacific (1:1 ratio)

Delta Air Lines (1:1 ratio).

Emirates (1:1 ratio).

Etihad Airways (1:1 ratio).

Hawaiian Airlines (1:1 ratio).

Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio).

JetBlue Airways (2.5:2 ratio).

Qantas (1:1 ratio).

Qatar Airways (1:1 ratio).

Singapore Airlines (1:1 ratio).

Virgin Atlantic Airways (1:1 ratio).

Choice Hotels (1:1 ratio).

Hilton Hotels & Resorts (1:2 ratio).

Marriott Hotels & Resorts (1:1 ratio).

For details on transfer ratios, see AmEx's website .

APR: See terms.

This card offers two different features — " Plan It® " and " Pay Over Time ." Plan It® lets you set up a payment plan for eligible purchases, during which you pay a monthly fee instead of interest charges. With this feature, you know how much you'll pay each month. "Pay Over Time" lets you finance eligible purchases over a term with interest. There is a limit to the amount you can finance with a Pay Over Time plan.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Other benefits:

Up to $189 per year in statement credit when you use the card to pay for your Clear membership fee. (Clear is a prescreening program at certain airports and other venues that uses biometrics to verify your identity.)

Up to $100 per year in statement credit when you purchase LoungeBuddy passes with your card. (LoungeBuddy lets you buy single-use day passes to airport lounges.)

» MORE: Top benefits of the American Express Green Card

Benefits and perks

One of the card's most valuable features: It earns Membership Rewards points. These can be transferred to an extensive list of airline and hotel loyalty programs. The transfer ratios vary by partner, but in many cases, they're 1:1. That means, for instance, you could turn 50,000 Membership Rewards points into 50,000 miles with a certain airline program. Potentially, this means you could get much more than one cent apiece from these points if you moved points to a loyalty program and took advantage of a high-value redemption.

The card makes it easy to rack up points, too. It earns a generous 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel and restaurant expenses. Terms apply. The list of what counts as travel is expansive, too. It includes airfare, hotels and car rentals, but also cruises, campgrounds, tours, trains, rideshares, buses, subways, tolls, parking and more. Third-party travel websites and amextravel.com also qualify.

Generally, you can transfer points fee-free. But if you're transferring earnings to a U.S. airline, you'll get hit with a fee of $0.0006 per point, up to a maximum fee of $99.

Solid welcome offer

New cardholders can get a generous welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. That could potentially cover a round-trip flight or a night or two at a hotel.

Potentially valuable travel credits

The travel-related perks that come with the American Express® Green Card are relatively specific — but they could be worth as much as $289 for those who can use them. For frequent travelers, they could prove valuable. Here's how they work:

$189 annual statement credit toward a Clear membership: Over three dozen airports — and several other stadiums and venues across the country — use Clear's biometric ID technology to allow people to breeze through eligible prescreening lines (though you'll still have to go through the X-ray line). However, keep in mind that Clear isn't the same thing as TSA Precheck or Global Entry . More on that below.

$100 annual LoungeBuddy statement credit: This online- and app-based service allows you to buy airport lounge access for a fee at hundreds of airports.

» MORE: Airport lounges: Comparing traditional access to LoungeBuddy and Priority Pass

Drawbacks and considerations

Relatively high annual fee.

The card's $150 annual fee can be worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of AmEx's transfer partners and the card's statement credits. But it's still relatively expensive for a non-premium travel card, and if you won't use travel partners or credits, go with a different option.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card could be a good match, for example. It earns 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases. Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel. It also comes with a good sign-up bonus and an introductory 0% APR offer.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best no-annual-fee travel credit cards

Some redemption options are low-value

The American Express® Green Card can deliver excellent value through its transfer partners. But other redemption options aren't that great. For example, redeeming for a statement credit will get you only 0.6 cent per point.

For a card with better redemption options and excellent transfer partners, try the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . For an annual fee of $95 , you'll get access to many of the same transfer partners, including Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore, Virgin Atlantic and Marriott. The card earns 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase; 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase; and 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases. Booking travel through Chase gets 1.25 cents out of each point, and redeeming for cash back gets 1 cent per point. The card also comes with an solid sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

» MORE: American Express credit cards mobile app review

Other cards offer more useful travel credits

A Clear credit may be useful in specific situations, especially as a supplement to TSA Precheck or Global Entry. But it isn't really a substitute for those programs. Unlike Clear, which is a private company, TSA Precheck and Global Entry are administered by the federal government and are in wide use across the country. They're also significantly cheaper: The application fee for TSA Precheck is $78; for Global Entry, it's $100. What's more, your status with those federal programs lasts for five years — not just one — and many travel credit cards with less hefty annual fees will cover the full application cost for you .

» MORE: Is Clear worth the cost?

The LoungeBuddy credit is also a nice touch and potentially more useful, particularly if you don't have any other cards that provide lounge access. But while you can access some lounges for around $25 per visit, many lounges on the platform will end up costing you significantly more than that. Also be aware that some travel credit cards with lower annual fees already offer some version of airport lounge access .

If you're looking for a card with bonus rewards on travel and dining and more useful credits, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card could be a match. It earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. You'll get a statement credit toward TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees every four years. There's also an annual airline incidental statement credit worth up to $100 that can cover qualifying purchases like seat upgrades, airline lounge fees and checked bag fees. The annual fee is $95 .

For more offers, check out Nerdwallet's full list of the best credit cards to have .

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card earns 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases, but it has a $0 annual fee, plus a sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. . Pay 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply .

How to decide if it's right for you

The American Express® Green Card isn't particularly simple: Scoping out good deals and moving points to other programs takes some effort and taking advantage of this card's side perks might mean using services you might not otherwise try. But for travelers who love the challenge of maximizing points and perks, it offers excellent value and versatility, making it well worth its annual fee.

• The best credit cards of 2024
• Best travel credit cards
• Best rewards credit cards
• Best cash back credit cards

Methodology

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

About the author s

Claire Tsosie

Robin Saks Frankel

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Create Account

USCIS Announces Open Application Period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program , which provides funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. The 16-year-old program, specifically Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services, will provide up to $10 million in grants to prepare legal immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics.

“The announcement of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program application period is always an exciting time for USCIS,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.   “Through this program, we empower organizations to help legal immigrants pursue citizenship. Our outreach efforts this year seek to ensure eligible organizations that focus on remote, underserved, or isolated communities are aware of USCIS funding opportunities and that grant funds are assisting more historically underserved communities.”

USCIS expects to award up to 40 organizations up to $300,000 each for two years to expand availability of high-quality citizenship and integration services. This grant opportunity will fund public or nonprofit organizations that offer both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to lawful permanent residents. Applications are due by June 21.

Since 2009, the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has awarded $155 million through 644 grants to immigrant-serving organizations. These grant recipients have provided citizenship preparation services to more than 300,000 immigrants in 41 states and the District of Columbia. In fiscal year 2024, USCIS received support from Congress through appropriations to make this funding opportunity available to communities and expects to announce award recipients in September 2024.

To apply for this funding opportunity, visit  www.grants.gov . USCIS encourages applicants to visit  www.grants.gov before the application deadline to obtain registration information needed to complete the application process.

For additional information on the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program for fiscal year 2024, visit or email the USCIS Office of Citizenship at  [email protected] .

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit  uscis.gov  or follow us on  X (formerly Twitter) ,  Instagram ,  YouTube ,  Facebook , and  LinkedIn .