I'm scheduled for interview soon! My problem is, I lost my I-94 when I renewed my passport last year, and I just noticed it now, when Im getting ready w/ my documents. It was an expired I-94 (entry was 2001) though, but I have a photocopy. Do I need to request for a replacement even though it has expired years ago? It's so expensive ($320) to get a replacement. Is it accepted if I will show the photocopy only, my US visa (B1-B2), and the stamp of my entry? I read in the forum that some were not asked of the original I-94. Maybe the original is needed only if it's not expired yet?
About I-94
- Thread starter bochog
- Start date
I have the same problem. I did not lose it, but while trying to extend status I sentthem the original...
Some members on this forum sugested to make an infopass... I was told that you can get a certified copy from them to show on your interview... I haven't done that yet though.
Good luck!!
Some members on this forum sugested to make an infopass... I was told that you can get a certified copy from them to show on your interview... I haven't done that yet though.
Good luck!!
Al Southner
Registered Users (C)
U got problems.... when did u notice that you lost it? After submitting your old passport to your country mission in the US? The question you ought to answer is: after learning that you lost your original I-94, what steps did you take to procure its replacement? The answer is going hang you temporarily...
One of the first thing everyone is asked for at the interview is their passport,because it is supposed to contain your I-94. I-94 is like your heart in the US, it cannot function apart form your body (passport)...
You should have filed for replacement, so that even if it is not approved by your interview date, your notice of action can show to the interviewing officer that you took measures to replace it. Do you feel that spending $320 for I-94 replacement is less important than being denied a GC for failure to produce an original document?
Using your logic here?
If your I-94 expired 10 000 years ago, it doesn't matter, what matters is that USCIS requires its return to them on the date of the interview, if approved. 
go and see what the power's that be decide....
I just can't understand why do we have to show the original I-94 as evidence that we entered US legally, while we have the unexpired US visa to show. It's just common sense that we acquired a US visa (b1-B2) and they will not honor it as proof of legal entry w/ a stamp of arrival.
PraetorianXI
Banned
... your legal visa (expired or not), has nothing to do with legal entry ... i can hold a visitor visa and sneak in through the desert. your i-94 IS YOUR LEGAL ENTRY PROOF, nothing else. In lieu of it, you could use the passport stamp, but still, you should have filed for a replacement i-94.
austriacus
Registered Users (C)
I-94 is like your heart in the US, it cannot function apart form your body (passport)...
So your EAD is your biceps to work, your AP are your feet to travel, and your GC is ... your brain? Oh wait, for us married folks, the GC would be our ... nevermind.
Al Southner
Registered Users (C)
Mr. B,
You can be rest assured that you will understand why you need it,when the IO asks for it.....
Once he or she ask for it, then you should explan to the IO, why you detest the requirement that you bring the original I-94, while you have a visa in your passport....I wonder if your passport expires, you apply for a new one and it issued without the original visa, but you have an original I-94? Have you ever thought how you will prove that you entered the US legally w/o an I-94?
Remember this: Everyone hates each and every little requirement of USCIS, but since they are the govt, you better comply because surely they would welcome an opportunity not to deal with another immigrant... When you become the govt, then you make your own rules and requirements...
I have the same problem, i extended my status, and the original copy of i94 was retained by uscis, but original extention notice{3months extention} was sent to me by the attorney who filed the extension, However, it was lost on transit, then he gave me a photocopy of the extension notice, do you think that is enough or will they still require the original notice sent?austriacus
Registered Users (C)
If they ask for the original, I'd give them the original. On most all of the forms I read, they require you to be able to back up anything you send with an original.