DHS streamlines access to travel records for international students, visitors

WASHINGTON — When international students and visitors travel to the United States, they receive a Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record," at their port of entry. The Form I-94 serves as evidence that they have been lawfully admitted to the United States. International students and visitors need this record to verify alien registration and immigration status and obtain employment authorization. New this month, these individuals can access their five year travel history on the Form I-94 website.

Previously, international students and visitors could only access their most recent I-94 arrival/departure record number online, and they had to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for previous years' information.

International students and visitors can obtain their Form I-94 record by visiting U.S. Custom and Border Protection's (CBP) Form I-94 Web page. They must agree to the terms listed on the page. From there, they will be directed to the Form I-94 information page. They must enter their name, date of birth and passport information to retrieve their Form I-94 information. The Web page gives you the option to "Get Most Recent I-94" or "Get Travel History."

If you select "Get Most Recent I-94," the Web page will display your I-94 number, most recent date of entry, class of admission and admit until date. If you select "Get Travel History," you can access your last five years of travel history on the Form I-94. Both pages are printer-friendly.

"CBP has seen a steady growth in trade and travel in recent years – including a nearly nine percent increase in non-immigrant arrivals since 2011," said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. "We continue to work to manage these growing volumes by automating processes, going paperless, and employing mobile technology to maximize our resources and ease processing times for the traveling public."

SEVP monitors approximately one million international students pursuing academic or vocational studies (F and M visa holders) in the United States and their dependents. It also certifies schools and programs that enroll these students. The U.S. Department of State monitors exchange visitors (J visa holders) and their dependents, and oversees exchange visitor programs.

Both agencies use SEVIS to protect national security by ensuring that students, visitors and schools comply with U.S. laws. SEVP also collects and shares SEVIS information with government partners, including CBP and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, so only legitimate international students and exchange visitors gain entry into the United States.

HSI reviews potential SEVIS records for potential violations and refers cases with potential national security or public safety concerns to its field offices for further investigation. Additionally, SEVP's Analysis and Operations Center reviews student and school records for administrative compliance with federal regulations related to studying in the United States.

Learn more about SEVP at www.ICE.gov/SEVP.