Your I-94
What is it?
The I-94 is an electronic record of your entry into the United States. It shows when you entered the US, what status you entered in (for example, F-1 student status), and how long you are permitted to stay in the US. F-1 students should have “D/S” in the “admit until date.” This means that you can stay in the US for as long as you maintain status – “duration of status” – regardless of your F-1 visa expiration date.
Designated School Officials are required to review these to make sure that the US government processed your entry paperwork correctly. CBP officers are human, and they process thousands of entries every day, so sometimes, mistakes are made. If that happens, the DSO will work with you to correct your I-94.
How is it created?
- The I-94 is created AUTOMATICALLY for people entering the US by air or sea. A new one is generated every time you re-enter.
- Those who are entering the US by land (i.e. driving or taking a bus/train over the border) must APPLY FOR THE I-94 before entering the US.
How do I access it?
- Go to the I-94 Website and click “get most recent I-94.”
- Agree to the Terms of Service.
- Enter your information. When asked for “document number,” please provide your passport number.
It should like this (without the information blacked out, of course!)
What do I do once I’ve accessed it?
Please take a screenshot of it, or better yet, print and save it as a PDF. Then attach it in an email to welcometeam@highline.edu. Please include your ctclink ID in your email to us so we can easily match it to your records.
We know some students provide their I-94 when they apply for admission, but if you don’t mind, please give it to us again so we can check it.
What do I do if there is no record found?
Don’t worry, this happens sometimes! Double-check that the information, especially the name order, matches the information on your US visa sticker. Students from some countries (especially Vietnam, Myanmar, and India) have to change the way the name is typed, in order to locate the record.
If you still can’t find your record, please let us know, and we’ll provide you with further instructions.
What do I do if there is a mistake on my record?
Don’t worry, this happens sometimes! Please send us the I-94 anyway, but let us know what the mistake is. We’ll work with you to correct it.
What do I do if I entered the US in a status other than F-1?
If you entered in a different status (like B1/B2, J1, etc.) and then changed to F-1 while in the US, the I-94 website will not reflect your new status. Rather, your I-94 is on the I-797 approval notice. If you have not already, be sure to send that approval notice to Eva (eengelhard@highline.edu). We won’t need you to send it again to the Welcome Team address.