| What
is an Arrival-Departure Document and Why Do I Need One?
A USCIS Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) or Form I-95
(Crewman's Landing Permit) shows the date you arrived in the United
States and the "Admitted Until" date, the date when your
authorized period of stay expires. You will receive an USCIS
Form I-94 or I-95 from an USCIS
inspector when arriving in the United States at a land border port-of-entry
or from an airline or ship representative when arriving at an air
or sea port-of-entry by aircraft or ship. The form must be completed
and presented to an USCIS
inspector who may ask you questions about the purpose of your trip,
how long you will be in the United States, and your residence abroad.
Do not lose this form.
When you leave the country, you should give the USCIS Form I-94
or I-95 to your airline or ship representative, or, if you are departing
over a land border, give it to a Mexican or Canadian immigration
inspector. An USCIS Form I-94 or I-95 that has been approved by
an USCIS inspector can prove that you arrived in the country legally
and that you have not stayed beyond the period of stay authorized.
In addition, turning in USCIS Form I-94 or I-95 to the proper authorities
when you leave the country can prove that you did not violate U.S.
laws by staying in the country too long. Proof that you are willing
to obey U.S. immigration laws will be very important if you again
want to travel to the U.S. as an immigrant or nonimmigrant in the
future.
If
you are applying for an extension of stay or change of status,
you will also need to be issued an USCIS Form I-94 or I-95 if you
were not issued one of these documents when you entered the country.
Canadians who travel to the United States as tourists or on business
generally do not need an USCIS Form I-94. Also, certain Mexicans
who have a nonresident alien Mexican border crossing card (commonly
known as a laser visa), or a multiple-entry nonimmigrant visa may
not need an USCIS Form I-94.
If your USCIS Form I-94 (Arrival - Departure Record) or USCIS
Form I-95 (Crewman's Landing Permit) is lost, stolen, or mutilated,
you must replace it.
I
Need a New One - How Do I Apply?
To
replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated USCIS Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure
Record) or Form I-95 (Crewman's Landing Permit), you must file USCIS
Form I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant
Arrival - Departure Document). If the
USCIS Form I-94 or Form I-95 is mutilated, attach the original form.
If the USCIS Form I-94 or USCIS Form I-95 was lost or stolen, submit
a copy of the original USCIS Form I-94. If you do not have
a copy of your original USCIS Form I-94, submit a copy of the biographic/photo
page from your passport and a copy of the passport page that was
stamped by immigration inspectors when you entered the country.
If you cannot submit any evidence of your legal admission to the
United States, submit a full explanation and proof of your identity.
If you are applying to extend your stay
in the United States or change your immigration status, you will
be asked to give USCIS
your Form I-94. If you were not given an USCIS Form I-94 when you
were legally admitted to the United States, file USCIS Form I-102. You will need
to give USCIS
proof that you were legally admitted to the United States. You should
file USCIS Form I-102 at the same time that you apply to extend
your stay in the United States or change your immigration status.
Forms are available online,
or by calling 1-800-870-3676, or by submitting an online request
to receive forms by mail. After
receiving Form I-102, read it carefully and note the documentation
that must be submitted. Detailed information is provided in the
accompanying instructions for Form I-102. Further
information on forms, filing fees, and fee waivers is available
in Forms,
Fees & Filing Locations.
Where Should I Send My Application?
If you are applying to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated
USCIS Form I-95 (Crewman's Landing Permit), file USCIS Form I-102 (Application
for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document)
at the local USCIS office serving
the area where you are temporarily located.
If you are applying to extend your stay in the United States or
change your immigration status, file USCIS Form I-102 at the same
local office that is handling your extension of stay or change of
status application.
In all other instances, file USCIS Form I-102 at the appropriate USCIS Service Center
for your region.
How Can I Check the Status of My Application?
Contact the USCIS office that received
your application, and be prepared to provide specific information
(see Checking
the Status of My Case).
How Can I Appeal?
If your application for a replacement arrival-departure document
is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the
application was denied. You will not be allowed to appeal a negative
decision to a higher authority. However, you may submit a
motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider with the same office
that made the unfavorable decision. By filing these motions, you
may ask the office to reexamine or reconsider their decision. A
motion to reopen must state the new facts that are to be
provided in the reopened proceeding and must be accompanied by affidavits
or other documentary evidence. A motion to reconsider must establish
that the decision was based on an incorrect application of law
or USCIS policy, and further establish that the decision was incorrect
based on the evidence in the file at the time the decision was made.
For more information, see Appealing
the Denial of My Petition or Application.
HELP!
- Or, call
the national USCIS toll-free information service at 1-800-375-5283
The information provided in this website is not legal advice and
should not be interpreted as legal advice. This website is intended
to provide a basic understanding of this information in summary
form. This information may not be comprehensive, is subject to change,
and may not apply to all individual circumstances. Any information
received here should be confirmed with the appropriate government
agencies or with an attorney, particularly as it relates to your
individual circumstances. Your use of this website indicates your
agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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