What is an I-94 card?
Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Records, a white card, is a very important document. It verifies you have been legally admitted to the United States and that your immigration status is F-1. It is normally given to you on the airplane for you to fill out. It has two portions: arrival and departure portions. After completing the form, the arrival portion will be handed in to the officer at the port of entry. The departure portion will be stamped: date of entry, F-1 and D/S and returned to you. Please do make sure the information of date of entry, F-1 and D/S is clearly showed on your I-94 card. If you lose your I-94 card, the replacement can be very costly and time consuming. Without an I-94 card, you will not be able to apply for a driver’s license, Social Security Number even if you have an on-campus job or other immigration benefits. The information on your I-94 card (family name, first name, date of birth and country of citizenship) must match your passport.
A. The I-94 card is used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to track the arrival and departure of foreign nationals. You will receive an I-94 card upon entering the U.S., and you will be asked to give the card back when you leave. Please note the date indicated on your card-this is the date by which you must leave the U.S. If it is marked “D/S”, that means you may remain in the U.S. for the duration of your program status. That is the end date of your program, plus your 30-day grace period.
