Forgot to turn in I-94 while departing

[sparty419]

Hi all, I have a quick question and need some clarification. I was visiting the US for a couple weeks starting Early May and I departed back to India a few days ago. The I-94 form I was given has an expiry date of sometime in Oct'13. But unfortunately, I forgot to hand it over during boarding, or maybe they forgot to collect it from me, whichever way you look at it.

I am now confused as to what I should do. I heard that if it was an exit via a commercial flight, then there's nothing to worry. At the same time, I heard that I would have to mail the i-94 along with supporting departure documents to a Kentucky address. I am not sure what exactly I should do. Will this affect my re-entry into the US later? Is this a big deal?

Would really appreciate if someone can clear this concern for me.

Thanks and looking forward to your replies!

[peace999]

If you plan to revisit US before the oct date on your I94, there won't be any problems . Past Oct date, USCIS computers will record you as
an overstay. And on your next visit, the burden will be on you to prove that you departed correctly (airline boarding passes, Indian arrival stamp) . It is a big deal
because if they are not convinced, they can cancel your visa and send you back.
They say your departure can be independently verified if you left by an airline but I would still be on the safer side, making a copy of my I-94 and
sending it by registered mail/ good courier- fedex/DHL to the kentucky address. Also save your boarding passes for your US departure. If you have destroyed them,
go to your airline and get a FLOWN statement on their letterhead.

https://www.immihelp.com/returning-uncollected-i94-form-to-cbp/

[sparty419]

Hi Peace,

Thanks so much for your reply! Really appreciate it. So basically if I travel back before Oct, then its fine, but otherwise, I will have to prove to them that I did depart on time. Hope that is right. I have my tickets, boarding passes as well as the immigration stamps anyway. I hope those documents are fine to prove my case.

Very quickly, should I mail the original documents or copies to the Kentucky address? I also to heard that sometimes, you can hand over the i-94 to the local consulate as well? Will this work as well, or its just better to mail it to the Kentucky address?

Thanks so much again!!

[peace999]

Hi Peace,

Thanks so much for your reply! Really appreciate it. So basically if I travel back before Oct, then its fine, but otherwise, I will have to prove to them that I did depart on time. Hope that is right. I have my tickets, boarding passes as well as the immigration stamps anyway. I hope those documents are fine to prove my case.

Very quickly, should I mail the original documents or copies to the Kentucky address? I also to heard that sometimes, you can hand over the i-94 to the local consulate as well? Will this work as well, or its just better to mail it to the Kentucky address?

Thanks so much again!!

In my last post I pasted a link , please read that. It also says not to mail it to any US consulate; only the kentucky address.