What is an Arrival-Departure Document and Why Do I Need One?
A 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 a Form I-94 or I-95 from a border 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 a border 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. When you leave the country, you should give the 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. A Form I-94 or I-95 that has been approved by a US border 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 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.

You will need to replace your Form I-94 (Arrival - Departure Record) or Form I-95 (Crewman's Landing Permit) if it was lost, stolen, or mutilated. If you are applying for an extension of stay or change of status, you will also need to be issued a 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 a 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 a Form I-94. Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations at 8 CFR § 235 for more specific eligibility information.

If you are applying to extend your stay in the United States or change your immigration status, you will be asked to give BCIS your Form I-94. If you were not given a Form I-94 when you were legally admitted to the United States, please file Form I-102. You will need to give BCIS proof that you were legally admitted to the United States. You should file 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 by calling 1-800-870-3676, or by submitting a request through this system by submitting a request through our forms by mail system. 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. For further information on filing fees, please see BCIS filing fees, fee waiver request procedures, and the BCIS fee waiver policy memo.

Where Should I Send My Application?
If you are applying to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated Form I-95 (Crewman's Landing Permit), please file Form I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document) at the local BCIS office serving the area where you are temporarily located.