Overview
The Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record documents a nonimmigrant’s admission to the United States. It includes the date of entry, class of admission, and Admit Until Date (AUD), which identifies the authorized period of stay.
F-1 and J-1 students generally receive an I-94 with a specific Admit Until Date. Students covered by transition provisions may have a record showing D/S, or Duration of Status. The I-94 should be reviewed alongside the student’s I-20 or DS-2019 and any employment authorization documents to understand applicable immigration deadlines.
Students should retrieve, review, and save their I-94 after each entry to the United States. The record may be needed for immigration applications, employment verification, and other official purposes.
Accessing Your I-94
- Wait 3 business days after your entry into the U.S.
- Visit the CBP I-94 website.
- Select Get Most Recent I-94.
- Enter the requested information from the passport you used to enter the U.S.
- Download or print a copy for your records.
If you cannot find your record, review the CBP I-94 FAQs or report the issue to ISS.
Check Your Admission Information
Review your record after every entry to confirm:
- Personal information: Your name, date of birth, and passport information are accurate.
- Date of entry: The record reflects your most recent arrival in the U.S.
- Class of Admission: Your status appears as F1 for F-1 students or J1 for J-1 students.
- Admit Until Date: The record shows a specific date or D/S, depending on the rules that apply to your admission.
A specific date is not automatically an error. If your admission information appears incorrect, report the issue to ISS.
Understanding Your Admit Until Date
Your Admit Until Date (AUD) identifies the end of your authorized admission period.
Duration of Status (D/S)
D/S stands for Duration of Status. You may still have D/S if you were in the U.S. and properly maintaining that status on September 15, 2026, and remain eligible under the transition provisions.
An I-94 showing D/S is not automatically incorrect. However, D/S does not provide an unlimited stay. Your authorized stay depends on your program or training dates, continued maintenance of status, and transition limits.
Fixed AUD
F-1 and J-1 students admitted under fixed-period rules generally receive an admission period based on their I-20 or DS-2019 program end date, limited to four years, plus a 30-day departure period. Students entering for OPT or STEM OPT have admission periods based on applicable training provisions.
The departure period is already included in your AUD. Do not add 30 days to the date shown on your I-94. If you need time beyond your AUD, you must extend your stay through USCIS or travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the fixed-period admission rules effective September 15, 2026, F-1 and J-1 students entering the U.S. generally receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) instead of D/S, or Duration of Status. A specific date is not automatically an error.
Try the AUD Estimator to learn which admission and rule applies to you.
Your I-20 or DS-2019 lists your program dates. Your I-94 identifies your authorized admission period in the U.S. Under fixed-period admission rules, your admission period is generally based on your program end date, subject to a four-year limit, plus a 30-day departure period. Different provisions apply to students entering for OPT or STEM OPT. These requirements can result in different dates on your documents.
No. Extending your I-20 or DS-2019 does not automatically extend a fixed I-94 Admit Until Date. A program extension and an extension of your authorized stay are separate steps. To remain beyond your AUD, you generally must timely file an extension-of-stay application with USCIS or depart and seek readmission, if eligible.
Contact ISS well before your program end date and AUD to plan the required steps.
Yes. Under fixed-period admission rules, the 30-day departure period is included in your I-94 Admit Until Date. Do not add another 30 days to the printed date.
Contact ISS promptly. Include your AUD and explain whether you need additional time for your program or training, believe your I-94 contains an error, or have already filed an extension-of-stay application.
If the date has passed, clearly state this in your message. Your next steps depend on your immigration record and any applications already filed.
Yes. Travel and reentry can affect your admission period. Students covered by D/S transition provisions generally move to a fixed admission period when they leave and reenter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026.
After each entry, retrieve and review your most recent I-94. Do not assume your previous Admit Until Date or D/S coverage still applies.
Let ISS know what the problem is by submitting a report using the following form. Report I-94 Issue to ISS
The I-94 website’s help on this topic says the travel history is not an official record for legal purposes, and that if it is not complete, there is no action to take. It may not reflect land border arrivals and departures or closed-loop cruise arrivals and departures.
Departure by air:
Your departure information will be collected by the U.S. government from airline manifests. Nothing will be collected from you directly.
Departure via border crossing:
Customs and Border Protection recommends carrying other proof of your exit if you have an electronic I-94 record.