Are copies of old I94s vital for J-1 scholar visa application?

[JJNZ]

Hi, I hope this is a relatively easy question! I’m currently filling out a J-1 scholar application, having received an offer for a one year post in the US. I’m a british citizen (though currently living in New Zealand) and therefore qualify under the Visa Waiver Program for short visits to the US. I have been asked to include copies of previous I-94s as part of my application. I have briefly visited the US three times in the last two years but on none of these occasions did I take copies of my I94s before I exited the country. Hence I cannot provide these. Can anyone advise me on how to proceed, or if these copies are vital to my application? I have seen form I-102 (Application for Replacement / Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure document) on the internet but it doesn’t seem to be applicable to my situation, as I am not currently in the US.

I’d really appreciate any advice!

Thanks a lot

JJNZ

 

[jk0274]

Must be a mistake

Hi, I hope this is a relatively easy question! I’m currently filling out a J-1 scholar application, having received an offer for a one year post in the US. I’m a british citizen (though currently living in New Zealand) and therefore qualify under the Visa Waiver Program for short visits to the US. I have been asked to include copies of previous I-94s as part of my application. I have briefly visited the US three times in the last two years but on none of these occasions did I take copies of my I94s before I exited the country. Hence I cannot provide these. Can anyone advise me on how to proceed, or if these copies are vital to my application? I have seen form I-102 (Application for Replacement / Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure document) on the internet but it doesn’t seem to be applicable to my situation, as I am not currently in the US.

I’d really appreciate any advice!

Thanks a lot

JJNZ

May I ask who provided the application that asks for previous I-94s? I doubt it's a US government form. It sounds to me like a mistake to ask for them. I know I was never asked for this when I applied for my own J-1. Perhaps this is only for people who have had J-1 visas before. It certainly should not apply to people who entered on B-1/B-2 visa waivers.

What I would do if I were you is simply not worry about it. It's a non-issue. Just include passport copies and, if you had your passport stamped in the US (not always the case as sometimes they only stamp your I-94), include a copy of these stamps as well. I doubt they will come back and ask you for I-94s. If you are concerned, you can include a short statement stating that you have not been in the US on a J-1 before and you have only entered as a tourist and surrendered your green I-94s each time. And even such a statement will be (in my opinion) giving too much attention to something that is clearly a mistake.