The I-94: Proof of Legal Entry into the United States When entering the United States as a nonimmigrant, the Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer examines your passport and visa and then issues either a passport admission stamp or a small white card called the Form I-94.

No, an I-94 is not a visa; it is an "Arrival/Departure Record" that serves as evidence of your legal entry into the United States and, more importantly, defines your official status and the authorized period of stay. While a visa is a travel document that allows you to request entry at a port of entry, the I-94 is the document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) once you are actually admitted. In 2026, most I-94 records are fully automated for those arriving by air or sea, meaning you no longer receive a physical card but must retrieve your electronic record from the official CBP website if you need to prove your status for employment (Form I-9) or driver's license applications. It is the date on your I-94—not the expiration date on your visa—that dictates when you must depart the U.S. Canadians and certain visa-exempt travelers are also issued I-94s digitally upon entry to track their duration of stay and ensure they do not exceed the standard six-month visitor limit.