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Lyu / Lv / Lü / Lu: when Chinese surname romanization breaks I-94 lookup

The Chinese surname 吕 (and other ü-bearing surnames) may be romanized as LYU, LV, LU, or LÜ across passports and government systems. Spelling mismatches make I-94 lookup fail.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-27

Direct answer

Chinese surnames with ü (吕, 女, 绿) are romanized as LYU on current PRC passports but may appear as LV, LU, or LÜ elsewhere. CBP matches strings exactly, so a mismatch breaks lookup. Use the spelling in your current passport's MRZ first, then try alternates.

Where the inconsistency comes from

  • LYU — current PRC passport romanization for ü-bearing surnames.
  • LV — older PRC passports or some domestic systems use V for ü.
  • LU — phonetic approximation in some contexts.
  • LÜ — strict romanization with the diacritic; usually stripped by English-only systems.

How to find "your current" spelling

  1. Open your passport's bio page.
  2. Look at the MRZ at the bottom — those are the characters CBP compares against.
  3. Confirm your visa foil's surname matches the MRZ.

Search strategy when lookup fails

  1. Try your current passport's spelling.
  2. Try older passports' spellings.
  3. Try with/without hyphens or spaces, and additional given-name parts.
  4. Still failing? It may not be spelling — see other causes.

Beyond ü-surnames

  • Hyphenated double surnames (ZHANG-LI vs ZHANGLI).
  • Given-name / surname order swapped on different documents.
  • Minority-language names with special characters.
  • Name change (e.g. marriage) not yet reflected on passport.

This site provides general information only.

Frequently asked (FAQ)

Why are LYU and LV different in I-94 lookup?

CBP performs character-exact comparison against the passport MRZ. LYU and LV are different strings; they are different surnames as far as the system is concerned.

I cannot find my I-94 — is spelling the cause?

Possibly. Try the spelling on your current passport first, then any older passports. Other causes include DOB format, passport number, or records not yet synced.

My I-94 spelling differs from my current passport. What now?

Usually the I-94 reflects the passport used at entry. Renewing the passport doesn't retroactively change old I-94s. For corrections, contact Deferred Inspection.

Will mismatched spelling on visa and I-94 hurt my status?

It doesn't automatically harm status, but it can cause questions at visa renewal, COS, EOS, GC, and naturalization. Reconcile as soon as you can.

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This site provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney about your case. i-94.org is independent and is not affiliated with DHS, CBP, USCIS, ICE, or any government agency. Actual I-94 lookup and reminder tools are provided by i94.io.