A new feature on the I-94 website will now allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remind travelers of their last possible departure date from the U.S. Currently, the new feature is available to eligible Visa Waiver Program travelers, but further updates to the I-94 website will incorporate additional nonimmigrant travelers.
To check their last possible departure date, travelers can visit the I-94 website, click on the “view travel history” tab and enter their travel information. This includes name, birthdate, passport number and passport country of issuance. This will provide the individual with their admitted until date.
If a traveler has overstayed the terms of their admission, this new feature will prompt the individual and provide information about what to do next. An overstay is someone who was lawfully admitted to the U.S. for an authorized period, but remained in the U.S. beyond his or her lawful period of admission. A lawful period of admission is determined based on the traveler’s class of admission and can vary widely. It can be for a fixed period of time or it can be based on the completion of a certain activity, such as the completion of a degree program.
The Form I-94 is necessary to verify alien registration, immigration status and employment. It provides non-immigrant visitors with evidence that they have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. In May 2013, the I-94 was automated by CBP, which allowed Officers to create an I-94 Arrival Record within primary and secondary inspection processing systems. This helped streamline the admissions process by eliminating the need for paper forms and manual data entry.
In September 2016, CBP also launched an online I-94 application and payment option for travelers arriving at a land port of entry. An individual can provide biographic and travel information and pay the $6 fee online up to seven days prior to their entry. CBP is committed to improving the international travel experience for both U.S. citizens and visitors. This new feature makes it much easier for travelers to comply with their terms of admission by making it much easier to locate their last possible departure date.
If you are interested in working or living in the United States, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys to explore your options today!
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