I-94 Extension after passport renewal

everonh1

Registered Users (C)
Hi All,
My H1B is valid upto Feb 2010,but office at POE(San Francisco) stamped I-94 as Sep 2008 as my passport was expiring then.
Now I renewed my passport through Indian Consulate(San Francisco).

But not sure what process to follow.Here are the options I got:-
1. Went to local USCIS office in San Jose-they asked me to go to USCIS office in San Francisco to get it fixed.
2. Attorney gave 2 options -
a. get out of country,get back in for new I-94
b. apply for H1 extension (doesn't make sense to do that since I have H1 upto 2010 and also Visa stamp)

Anyone faced similar problem before.
Will appreciate if you can post your experiences.

Thanks,
everonh1
 
Travel out of the US and obtain a new I-94 (at the point of entry) based on the visa that was stamped on your passport.
 
Thanks manwithnonname
Anyone based out of San Francisco/Bay Area faced similar problem.
I am sure this might be a pretty common situation.
Just want to find out if anyone did get this rectified at local USCIS office rather than having to get out of country and get back in.
 
Why don't you call USCIS and ask them....I don't think it is necessary to travel outside US just to get the I-94 renewed till the H1 end-date.
 
Here is my experience with USCIS at San Francisco:-

Went to USCIS SFO Today.
They bluntly told me that they have no process to re-issue I-94s.
Either file an H1 Extension or leave the country and get back in for a new extended I-94.
I argued with them that this is real crazy - how come you dont have a process to fix the I-94 after passport is extended and well before I-94 expiry date.
They had no answer and stuck to their answer that they cant do much and I have only those 2 options.
I asked them if San Francisco CBP will fix it - they said NO,they wont.
Also,apparently as per USCIS officials,I cant go to any of the border Countries like Canada,Mexico as they dont issue I-94 if stay there is less than 30 days.
So I have to go out to any country other than border countries and only then I-94 will be issued?
How more crazy can USCIS be?

How come AILA or someone never raised this issue with USCIS- as this is such a common scenario.

On a side note,I asked her if I can file my wife's I-485 without waiting for priority date,they said YES. I can add her.(got married after filing 485) .She double checked with another IO who seemed knowledgeable.Looks like this is possible eventhough law/rules say you cant. Had got similar response from IO at San Jose USCIS.
Guess things happen outside the book also within USCIS.
 
Ok let me get this str8.

So you have a H1-B which is valid till 2010.....correct?
but the stamp on I-94 expires in 2008....correct?
but your I-94 itself should be valid till 2010
which means that if you have to get it re-stamped, you can go to Canada or Mexico and get that done, or dont do anything.
However, if you dont do anything and decide to leave the states then you would have to get it stamped to re-enter.

I could be wrong on this. Iam no lawyer and Im going through my own problems, so check with your attorney or iam sure someone here would be able to help you out and clarify my points. Goodluck

EDITING MY POST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT I AM 95% SURE I AM WRONG UNLESS SOMEONE CORRECTS ME.....SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION...AND GOOD-LUCK
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You will be okay! If your H is valid till 2010 and I-94 got expired due to passport expiry.

You will get the new I-94 when you re-enter the county.

thanks,
 
You will be okay! If your H is valid till 2010 and I-94 got expired due to passport expiry.

You will get the new I-94 when you re-enter the county.

thanks,
 
I was in a similar situation. My I-94 was due to expire the same day as was my passport although my visa is valid until later. I got my passport renewed at the Houston CGI a few months back.

Now for the I-94. I called the CBP Deferred Inspection site in Tampa, FL and explained them my situation. The officer attending the call asked me to carry my documents and visit the site located at the Tampa International Airport, so they could hear my case. I got to the site at 9 in the AM the next day and called the office from the information center kiosk. They noted down my I-94 number and asked me to wait a while. A few minutes later a CBP officer escorted me to his office. I handed him my old passport with the I-94 attached to it and the new passport, which he took a brief look at. He asked me what visa I was on and who did I work for. Next thing I know, he handed me a new I-94 with the date on it matching my visa expiry date, titled it "Amended I-94", copied over the number of my old I-94 form on to the new one, got me to double check the form number and other details and set me on my way. He did mention that it usually takes a couple of business days for their system to reflect the change.

Here is the address and phone number of the CBP Deferred Inspection site in Tampa, FL:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Tampa International Airport, Airside "F"
5503 Spruce Street
Tampa, FL 33607

Phone: (813) 348-1700 x2400 (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)

The only document they were interested in was my old passport, my I-94 form and my new passport.

Hope this helps!
 
I-94 extension

Hi, I got my indian passport renewed in the US recently. When I entered US in July 2012,my i-94 was stamped till my passport expiry. So now I should get my I-94 amended till my visa expiry. I am unable to make a online appointment with USCIS and the deferred inspection officer in Tampa asked me to do so. May I have suggestions on how to go about extending my I-94 please, in Tampa.....Thanks
 
Hi, I got my indian passport renewed in the US recently. When I entered US in July 2012,my i-94 was stamped till my passport expiry. So now I should get my I-94 amended till my visa expiry. I am unable to make a online appointment with USCIS and the deferred inspection officer in Tampa asked me to do so. May I have suggestions on how to go about extending my I-94 please, in Tampa.....Thanks

Hey Pitchal,

I was not asked to get an online appointment. However, here is what I would do. I would call the CBP office again and tell them about the problem with the online appointment and request them to fix an appointment over the phone, if possible. If they agree, show up.

Last-ditch effort, I would just show up at the CBP site at the airport in Tampa, FL and request to see an officer at the information center kiosk. Explain the issue to the officer and see where it goes from there. If you are located in Tampa it is worth the effort.

I am sure you already know, I-94 is your legal status in the United States (disclaimer: I am certainly no immigration lawyer). I would not stay past the date on the document. That said, I am sure you will be able to get your document amended in time.

Best of luck!
 
Same case BUT visa not valid (h1b petition valid though)

Hey Pitchal,

I was not asked to get an online appointment. However, here is what I would do. I would call the CBP office again and tell them about the problem with the online appointment and request them to fix an appointment over the phone, if possible. If they agree, show up.

Last-ditch effort, I would just show up at the CBP site at the airport in Tampa, FL and request to see an officer at the information center kiosk. Explain the issue to the officer and see where it goes from there. If you are located in Tampa it is worth the effort.

I am sure you already know, I-94 is your legal status in the United States (disclaimer: I am certainly no immigration lawyer). I would not stay past the date on the document. That said, I am sure you will be able to get your document amended in time.

Best of luck!

Hi folks,

When I came back to US from India after a short trip, I was given I-94 till April-2013 (because my passport was expiring on April-2013) while my H1b petition is valid till April-2014. Can i go to San Francisco CBP office to get my I-94 amended till my I-797 expiry? Has anyone done that recently in San Francisco CBP office? Please help.

Btw, I got my passport renewed till 2022. Please suggest the possible solution.

Regards.
 
Got new i-94

Hi folks,

When I came back to US from India after a short trip, I was given I-94 till April-2013 (because my passport was expiring on April-2013) while my H1b petition is valid till April-2014. Can i go to San Francisco CBP office to get my I-94 amended till my I-797 expiry? Has anyone done that recently in San Francisco CBP office? Please help.

Btw, I got my passport renewed till 2022. Please suggest the possible solution.

Regards.

Hi freebird8z,
i was in similar situation, my passport was expiring in march-13 and i came to US in may-12 so was given i-94 till march 13 only though 797 and visa valid till nov-14. my employer also told me to go out of US and come back and so for that i had applied the visa to canada also, but for going to canada planned to stay in seattle with a friend and when i talked to him he told me that he was in same situation last year and got this done in the CBP seattle office itself. i called CBP SFO and San Jose but they said they will not do it as it is not correction and i should file extension etc and then i called CBP Seattle and they said they can do it. My employer talked to attorney and attorney said probably the CBP offices near to some border should be able to do it. So i booked the appointment on phone with CBP Seattle (king county int airport) and went to Seattle and they did it. I came back yesterday only with new i-94. So i think you can also try calling some CBP in the border area like san diego etc and book appointment and go. I have tried with SFO and San Jose and they donot do it.
i hope this helps.
 
lucky

"i94 expiry, i94 new, i94 renewal, Mexico border, i91 at Mexico border, Tijuana border
Updated as of 11 May, 2013- For All out there who want to get new i94 whether it be due to passport renewal or due to i94 expiry etc specially those who are from California. Just drive to Tijuana border Mexico, Park your car at border station parking or next parking to border station parking is cheaper. Address to put in GPS for Border Station parking is 4570 Camino De La Plaza, CA 92173. Come out of parking, To your left there is a traffic signal where its written in bold "Mexico only", you will see many people walking towards that signal and beyond it. Starts following the herds or ask anybody about how to go to Mexico. There are many people like you and people Who are going back to Mexico after their shopping etc. you walk to border will be like this, get out of border station parking, turn left, cross traffic signal, keep looking for a pedestrian crossing over bridge on your right, get on to it, walk for 5-7 mins on it, get down, find a trolley station in front of you, ask anybody about Mexico border or keep following the herds, you will go through many twists and turns through narrow paths, see revolving door, pass it, again twists turns guards looking at you, customs officers looking at you, get out of the building, see queue at 90 degree to you exit with all people facing towards US border(i.e. in the direction from where you came), When you walk out of the building where guards were looking at you, start walking to your right all the way to the gate of the building which has this queue in front of it, its written as i94/permits on the building gate itself, Walk inside , answer the guard or ask the guard that you want to renew i94, walk into the gate, 30 sec walk to next building with "permits" written all over the path, go on the building at the end of the path, turn right and pay $6 for each applicant at the cashier window, wait just beside the window after paying the fee, officer will call you, He might ask you some basic questions, will give you new i94, Saying you came to get i94 is ok, he will stamp new passports also(if you made new ones), Check everything ok before you leave the building, exit the building , turn right, join the line that says "General Public", This will take you to customs, customs office will check passport, ask some basic questions, its is ok to say you came to get new i94, He will welcome you to the US again, Get out of the building and find yourself at the trolley station, you can very easily make out your way back via the pedestrian bridge or over pass. I will be checking this post for few more days to see if any questions. But there is no better or easy way or economical way of getting a new i94. Forget attorneys who say to fly always preferably to Canada.

"
 
Hi All,
My H1B is valid upto Feb 2010,but office at POE(San Francisco) stamped I-94 as Sep 2008 as my passport was expiring then.
Now I renewed my passport through Indian Consulate(San Francisco).

But not sure what process to follow.Here are the options I got:-
1. Went to local USCIS office in San Jose-they asked me to go to USCIS office in San Francisco to get it fixed.
2. Attorney gave 2 options -
a. get out of country,get back in for new I-94
b. apply for H1 extension (doesn't make sense to do that since I have H1 upto 2010 and also Visa stamp)

Anyone faced similar problem before.
Will appreciate if you can post your experiences.

Thanks,
everonh1

i94 expiry, i94 new, i94 renewal, Mexico border, i91 at Mexico border, Tijuana border
Updated as of 11 May, 2013- For All out there who want to get new i94 whether it be due to passport renewal or due to i94 expiry etc specially those who are from California. Just drive to Tijuana border Mexico, Park your car at border station parking or next parking to border station parking is cheaper. Address to put in GPS for Border Station parking is 4570 Camino De La Plaza, CA 92173. Come out of parking, To your left there is a traffic signal where its written in bold "Mexico only", you will see many people walking towards that signal and beyond it. Starts following the herds or ask anybody about how to go to Mexico. There are many people like you and people Who are going back to Mexico after their shopping etc. you walk to border will be like this, get out of border station parking, turn left, cross traffic signal, keep looking for a pedestrian crossing over bridge on your right, get on to it, walk for 5-7 mins on it, get down, find a trolley station in front of you, ask anybody about Mexico border or keep following the herds, you will go through many twists and turns through narrow paths, see revolving door, pass it, again twists turns guards looking at you, customs officers looking at you, get out of the building, see queue at 90 degree to you exit with all people facing towards US border(i.e. in the direction from where you came), When you walk out of the building where guards were looking at you, start walking to your right all the way to the gate of the building which has this queue in front of it, its written as i94/permits on the building gate itself, Walk inside , answer the guard or ask the guard that you want to renew i94, walk into the gate, 30 sec walk to next building with "permits" written all over the path, go on the building at the end of the path, turn right and pay $6 for each applicant at the cashier window, wait just beside the window after paying the fee, officer will call you, He might ask you some basic questions, will give you new i94, Saying you came to get i94 is ok, he will stamp new passports also(if you made new ones), Check everything ok before you leave the building, exit the building , turn right, join the line that says "General Public", This will take you to customs, customs office will check passport, ask some basic questions, its is ok to say you came to get new i94, He will welcome you to the US again, Get out of the building and find yourself at the trolley station, you can very easily make out your way back via the pedestrian bridge or over pass. I will be checking this post for few more days to see if any questions. But there is no better or easy way or economical way of getting a new i94. Forget attorneys who say to fly always preferably to Canada.
 
i94 expiry, i94 new, i94 renewal, mexico border, i91 at mexico border, tijuana border

i94 expiry, i94 new, i94 renewal, Mexico border, i91 at Mexico border, Tijuana border
Updated as of 11 May, 2013- For All out there who want to get new i94 whether it be due to passport renewal or due to i94 expiry etc specially those who are from California. Just drive to Tijuana border Mexico, Park your car at border station parking or next parking to border station parking is cheaper. Address to put in GPS for Border Station parking is 4570 Camino De La Plaza, CA 92173. Come out of parking, To your left there is a traffic signal where its written in bold "Mexico only", you will see many people walking towards that signal and beyond it. Starts following the herds or ask anybody about how to go to Mexico. There are many people like you and people Who are going back to Mexico after their shopping etc. you walk to border will be like this, get out of border station parking, turn left, cross traffic signal, keep looking for a pedestrian crossing over bridge on your right, get on to it, walk for 5-7 mins on it, get down, find a trolley station in front of you, ask anybody about Mexico border or keep following the herds, you will go through many twists and turns through narrow paths, see revolving door, pass it, again twists turns guards looking at you, customs officers looking at you, get out of the building, see queue at 90 degree to you exit with all people facing towards US border(i.e. in the direction from where you came), When you walk out of the building where guards were looking at you, start walking to your right all the way to the gate of the building which has this queue in front of it, its written as i94/permits on the building gate itself, Walk inside , answer the guard or ask the guard that you want to renew i94, walk into the gate, 30 sec walk to next building with "permits" written all over the path, go on the building at the end of the path, turn right and pay $6 for each applicant at the cashier window, wait just beside the window after paying the fee, officer will call you, He might ask you some basic questions, will give you new i94, Saying you came to get i94 is ok, he will stamp new passports also(if you made new ones), Check everything ok before you leave the building, exit the building , turn right, join the line that says "General Public", This will take you to customs, customs office will check passport, ask some basic questions, its is ok to say you came to get new i94, He will welcome you to the US again, Get out of the building and find yourself at the trolley station, you can very easily make out your way back via the pedestrian bridge or over pass. I will be checking this post for few more days to see if any questions. But there is no better or easy way or economical way of getting a new i94. Forget attorneys who say to fly always preferably to Canada.
 
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