If you cannot locate the Form I-94 on the
CBP website
, and instead receive a “Not Found” message, it is possible that the Form I-94 does not exist because of a system error. However, it is more likely that the Form I-94 is in the CBP system, but the data is formatted differently than you entered it, so the I-94 is “hiding.” Below are some tips to assist you in obtaining the Form I-94 from the CBP automation system.
First, ensure data is entered correctly in all applicable fields.
Enter the name as stated in the passport, visa, or the submitted Form DS-160.
Although CBP has stated it would draw the name for the Form I-94 from the travel document (e.g. passport biographic page or visa), that is not always the case. The instructions on CBP’s website state that the name is drawn from the visa, if any. Therefore, check the passport, visa, and a copy of the submitted Form DS-160 (if available) for name variations. Try entering the name as stated on each document.
If you only have one name, enter that name in the Last/Surname field.
The Department of State may have placed the abbreviation FNU (First Name Unknown) in the First/Given name field. Try entering whatever name appears in the machine readable section of the passport and/or visa, including the abbreviation FNU.
Try variations of your name.
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. Or try entering just the first and middle initials.
For example, for first name Claire and middle name Anne, try entering CA or C.A.
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.”
Or try entering just one of your last (or first names).
Check if there is a hyphen between multiple names.
If you have multiple first or last names, try both with or without a hyphen.
Truncate the last few letters if the names are long.
Each name field has a 25-character limit.
Example: Last/Surname Lopez Garcia could be Lopezgarcia or just Lopez.
Check your passport number for both letters and numbers.
If your passport contains both letters and numbers in the passport number, try entering a space after the letter(s). For example, passport number LA497327 would be LA 497327.
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.
If you have an old passport, try that number.
If the valid visa is in an expired passport, try entering the old passport number instead of the new one used for entry.
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.
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. For those in H-1B status, instead of selecting H-1, try H-1B.
Check your airline ticket and/or boarding pass.
If you still have your airline ticket and/or boarding pass, try entering your name and information from the ticket or boarding pass, if different than your visa/passport. This might work because the electronic I-94 system initially receives names from the carrier in an electronic transfer of the flight manifest.
Check the machine-readable spelling on your passport/visa
. There are two locations for names on passports and U.S. visas. One is the name field, the other is the machine-readable zone. If the name is different, try both versions.
Invert the month and day of your birth date.
For example, a birth date of July 9, 1980 correctly entered would be 1980 July 09; but try instead 1980 September 07.
Call or visit the Deferred Inspection office.
If none of the above efforts resolve the issue, telephone or visit the CBP Deferred Inspection Office and explain the problem. 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 nonimmigrant alien. For the Boston area, the Deferred Inspection Office is at the following:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Boston, Logan International Airport
Terminal E, Lower Level, Room 500
Boston, MA 02138
617-568-1810, ext. 2310
If you think there is an error with your Electronic Form I-94,
contact the ISSO
.
The International Students and Scholars Office is part of the Provost Office's global engagement efforts.
Global Brandeis
International Students and Scholars Office
Kutz 215, MS 040
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-736-3480
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