Question about i-94 during VWP visit

[McDorks 1]

Hello everyone!

I am confused and I'm just going to be as specific and clear as possible about my question.

I flew from Sweden-London and London-USA almost 4 weeks ago to visit my fiancée. This is the first time I fly and travel as an adult so I am new to everything.

I landed in Houston, TX. Being all tired after a long trip without sleep i went with the flow of the crowd. Spoke with a immigrations officer that took pictures and fingerprints. He looked at the form i had to fill out on the plane (i presume it's called i-94), asked me a bunch of questions.

Then he stamped only the form, gave it back and welcomed me to America. I said thanks and being all nervous and sleepy i kept on going.

I found my bag and went for the exit and a guy asked for the form again. He took it, didn't look to bothered and said welcome.

Now I'm sitting here reading with my fiancée about applying for a K-1 visa and in the form i-129f, question #12 they ask for an i-94 number. I am worried that i have made a mistake but as a person not being used to flying and knowing by experience how things are done, i feel confused.

No stamp in the passport. No i-94 form. good or bad?

Did I do something wrong? or did they do something wrong?

My question is. What do I do to make everything right?

I hope you can help me. I'm lost.

Thank you

Edited November 3, 2011 by McDorks

[Oksana & Max 94]

Ok there are two different forms you need to fill out on the airplane.

1. I-94 (white card)

2. Custom form (blue form)

After you were getting out with your bag, they should've take from you the customs form. And the I-94 should be in your passport. There is possibility that you accidently gave them the I-94 and they even didn't pay attention, as they usually don't and took it.

I am not sure if you are really required the I-94 number, however I believe you can file a form and request it. Not sure how long it might take or how much it cost. I believe the form to fill out for that is I-102 check the USCIS website for more information.

[McDorks 1]

Ok there are two different forms you need to fill out on the airplane.

1. I-94 (white card)

2. Custom form (blue form)

After you were getting out with your bag, they should've take from you the customs form. And the I-94 should be in your passport. There is possibility that you accidently gave them the I-94 and they even didn't pay attention, as they usually don't and took it.

I am not sure if you are really required the I-94 number, however I believe you can file a form and request it. Not sure how long it might take or how much it cost. I believe the form to fill out for that is I-102 check the USCIS website for more information.

Thank you for the response !!

I have to Apologize for saying that i did not get a stamp in the passport. I thought i didnt due to my belief that they put the stamp on the first page. I am sorry, i found it on a page in the middle.

I filled out the Blue form which is the Custom form. I did not receive a White card, i-94, to fill out on the airplane. Nor did the person sitting next to me who was from Denmark, who also filled out the blue form only.

If i don't need the i-94 number to fill out the i-129f form that is ok. But do i need the I-94 to get home to Sweden after this 89 day visit ?

[Zen Den 18]

Thank you for the response !!

I have to Apologize for saying that i did not get a stamp in the passport. I thought i didnt due to my belief that they put the stamp on the first page. I am sorry, i found it on a page in the middle.

I filled out the Blue form which is the Custom form. I did not receive a White card, i-94, to fill out on the airplane. Nor did the person sitting next to me who was from Denmark, who also filled out the blue form only.

If i don't need the i-94 number to fill out the i-129f form that is ok. But do i need the I-94 to get home to Sweden after this 89 day visit ?

it is impossible that you got in without the I-94 (if you didn't have any other doc similar in place)becasue all non-citizens are required to have that to track down arrival and departure (and they take it out of your passport upon departure. if you're sure you didn't get it, requesting a copy is ok but would cost you time and money.

you can get away with it sometimes and say it probably fell off your passport, and just give them your arrival details.

if you wanna ba sure to have no hassle, apply for a copy =)

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Real question is - are you still in the US now?

[McDorks 1]

it is impossible that you got in without the I-94 (if you didn't have any other doc similar in place)becasue all non-citizens are required to have that to track down arrival and departure (and they take it out of your passport upon departure. if you're sure you didn't get it, requesting a copy is ok but would cost you time and money.

you can get away with it sometimes and say it probably fell off your passport, and just give them your arrival details.

if you wanna ba sure to have no hassle, apply for a copy =)

Thank you for the response.

I did not receive a white form to fill out on the plane. I am 100% certain of it. I even googled pictures of it to see what it looks like and i have never even seen one before. All i got was that blue one which i handed to the customs guy, he did not stop me or ask any questions about it.

I checked all the papers i have from the flight with no result of that form. So how is this possible since it is impossible.

I refuse to pay $330 for something that was not my fault from the beginning. Im gonna try to "get away" with it. What can happen if i dont ? I guess they will never believe my story which is going to make me furious

Thank you for answering my questions

Edited November 3, 2011 by McDorks

[McDorks 1]

Real question is - are you still in the US now?

Yes i am ! Im staying til January How come?

[Eveliina 0]

Hi!

Most airports in US do NOT use the I-94 form for VWP visitors anymore. You fill out the ESTA before you fly and everything is done electronically nowadays.

You can of course try calling the POE (airport) where you landed, but I am pretty sure you are all ok, as long as you got the stamp in your passport.

The form you got was most likely the customs form, that everyone still has to fill in.

They stopped using the I-94s for VWP entries maybe less than a year ago (if I remember correctly) and I flew in a couple of times after that to US on VWP. All I got was a stamp in the passport and I was good to go.

Now if you want to submit the K-1 application while you are in USA... we just checked the box for me being in USA when filing, left the I-94 part empty (or n/a) and attached a statement that I entered on VWP and was leaving in couple of weeks so they would not get confused with me trying to adjust status while in USA.

Hope this helps!

[Eveliina 0]

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1190/~/elimination-of-paper-departure-form-1-94w-for-vwp

[McDorks 1]

Hi!

Most airports in US do NOT use the I-94 form for VWP visitors anymore. You fill out the ESTA before you fly and everything is done electronically nowadays.

You can of course try calling the POE (airport) where you landed, but I am pretty sure you are all ok, as long as you got the stamp in your passport.

The form you got was most likely the customs form, that everyone still has to fill in.

They stopped using the I-94s for VWP entries maybe less than a year ago (if I remember correctly) and I flew in a couple of times after that to US on VWP. All I got was a stamp in the passport and I was good to go.

Now if you want to submit the K-1 application while you are in USA... we just checked the box for me being in USA when filing, left the I-94 part empty (or n/a) and attached a statement that I entered on VWP and was leaving in couple of weeks so they would not get confused with me trying to adjust status while in USA.

Hope this helps!

Oh thank you soooo very much for that reply ! That made me so much calmer. I freaked out about applying for a copy for 330 usd.

Thank you thank you =)

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Yes i am ! Im staying til January How come?

If you were not in the US - then you would not have to fill that info out when he sends it in.