what if you dont have a i-94

[marl]

hi like i said i came here on just a passport ..so what is it you need the I-94 for ..did i need it ..or will i need it .as im married .and filing for I-30 and I-485 soon .gee things are a little complex

[yandresyuk]

Yes you would need an I-94

[Rene]

USCIC will definitely be interested in your basis for being in the country and the I-94 provides that. Entry with "just your passport" sounds like you were just visiting. What did you say at the border crossing/point of entry when you were asked about the nature of your visit to the country?

[marl]

i told them i was coming here with my financee..i told the truth .there was nothing else to tell . he asked me when i was returning .i said im going to get married .he never said anytihng .just put my passport though stamped it with a stamp and i went on my way ..this is really confusing

[TrueBrit]

This is an I-94

Hi Marl
When you entered the country, you should have filled out a non immigrant visa waiver form (I-94) which would have either been a 4" wide form printed on green card (if you don't have a Fiancee K1, B1/2 visitor visa, H1-B work visa etc and are entering just using your passport) or printed on white card (if you have a K1 fiancee, B1/2 visa etc.).

It has boxes to fill in like your name, date of birth, where you entered the country, flight/vessel number etc. This would/should have been handed to the immigration official along with a customs declaration (light blue/white/dark blue card). He would/should have taken your photo, fingerprints of both index fingers and then torn off the bottom half of the I-94 card and stapled it into your passport around the same page that he stamped your passport. He would have also printed a date where he stamped your passport showing how long you can be in the country. This would also have been stamped and written on your I-94.

How did you arrive in the country (air, boat, car, walked) and when? Did you have a fiancee visa (K1/2) and do you remember filling any of the green or white immigrations forms out?

[marl]

nope diddnt fill out a thing .nothing he just swiped my passport through a red light thingy .and my sons and that was it .i caught my flight .. i have no idea what to do now

[TrueBrit]

Where did you arrive from?

Wow, I've never heard of that before. Normally if you arrive at any US airport on a conventional passenger flight, they'll just send you back if you show up to the inspection desk without an I-94 or customs paperwork.

Which country did you arrive from and on which airline? What US airport did you clear customs at?

[marl]

HI, I came here from Newfoundland Canada travelled by AIR CANADA AIRLINES..cleared customs in Toronto.Canada .thats all i did .nothing more caled immigration here a few days ago and she told us on the phone..that as long as we have filed we should be ok .i dunno somthing is messed up somewhere along the lines .

[TrueBrit]

Sounds like a mistake up in Canada eh?

Hi Marl

The inspector in Canada should have asked you to complete an I-94 if you didn't have one. The only time I've ever experienced any thing different is when I've visited Canada and Mexico from the US for a few days (I think it is if you visit for a week or less) and they've left my old I-94 in my passport rather than making me fill out a new one.

He or she may well have assumed that you already had one and just didn't bother checking it, but it sounds like you're in reasonable shape and that you should be able to explain what heppened when they eventually ask you about it.

[darkfilipina]

No I-94?

Hi!! Marl how did you make out with your paper work? well I'm canadian as well and I dont have I-94 when I cross the border only a passport on my 1st married last name .. I got married last Dec 2006 in Washington state fly back to canada we didnt do any paper work ..then drove through the border cross to Michigan Feb 11 officer only ask what is my purpose I told him visiting then they swipe my passport then when I got to the washington we start our paper work March 2007 so far so good Im going to get my interview Sept 2007 so hopefully everything will be good ..Im thinking to re-schedule it my hubbt in military away for a year hoping he can come home for interview ..so let me know how you make out Im glad to hear any good news take care..
darkfilipina

[darkfilipina]

hi like i said i came here on just a passport ..so what is it you need the I-94 for ..did i need it ..or will i need it .as im married .and filing for I-30 and I-485 soon .gee things are a little complex

you dont need it the only you need is the date of entry thats in the form stated if you dont have I-94 just put it down the date of entry

[thetreble]

Canadians do not need I-94s unless they themselves request them. I don't have one either and never had one. I merely saved the plane ticket stub of my last entry and that was good enough. Like darkfilipina said, just write down your date of entry. Since you are Canadian, they probably won't even bother checking. But if you give them a date, they at least can cross check it.

[carolinem]

Marl I am a Canadian Citizen also living in the USA. When I entered the USA via Toronto airport I also did not receive any record or stamp of entering the USA.

No one in Immigration has asked for an I94 even at my 485 interview to adjust status.

I have travelled between Canada and the United Stated numerous times and have never received one. When you fill out the card prior to go through USA Customs in the Toronto Airport, the USA Customs take the card from you and you do not get it back.

[thetreble]

Yep. That is how it goes. They don't even stamp us. If they really want to check your date of entry, they will. So don't worry about it. All of us Canadians are in the exact same position. My lawyer was surprised I didn't have any stamps from the US border patrol on my passport. However, I knew when I last arrived and that seemed sufficient enough.