How to read your I-94, field by field (B2 sample walkthrough)
Decode every field on a CBP I-94 printout — Admission Number, Class of Admission, Admit Until Date, Document Number — using two fully redacted B2 samples.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-27
The 6-month default for B1/B2 admissions has not changed, but the exact length is the inspecting officer's call. Admit Until Date is what binds you.
A CBP I-94 printout has 9 key fields. The one that controls how long you may legally stay is Admit Until Date, not the visa expiration on your passport foil.
About the samples
The two images below are real CBP I-94 printouts with all PII permanently blacked out. Name, birth date, passport number and I-94 number are covered by opaque rectangles — only the format and layout remain.
Below is the same data redrawn as a labeled card; numbers match the field-by-field walkthrough:
Field-by-field walkthrough
1. Admission I-94 Record Number
Typically 11 digits + letter + digit (e.g. 001XXXXX1A5). A unique identifier for this admission. Each new entry generates a new number; older numbers retire. Samples A and B differ by only a few digits — a telltale of family members processed back to back at the same booth. The trailing A5 is internal versioning.
2. Arrival / Issued Date
Format YYYY Month DD. The day CBP admitted you.
3. Class of Admission
Here, B2 (tourism/visit). This determines what you may and may not do:
- B2: tourism, family visit, short-term medical. No work, no full-time study.
- F1: full-time student.
- H1B / L1 / O1: employment-based, employer-specific.
- WT / WB: Visa Waiver / ESTA — fixed 90 days, no extension, no change of status.
4. Admit Until Date — the line that matters
Sample shows 2026 September 29, exactly 183 days after entry — standard B1/B2.
- This is the hard deadline to leave (or file I-539 before it).
- It is independent of the visa expiration in your passport.
- D/S for F/J/I is a separate regime — see Admit Until Date explained.
- Overstaying accrues unlawful presence; see I-94 expiration risk.
5–6. Last / Surname and First Name
Must match the passport MRZ exactly. See name romanization (Lyu vs Lv) for the most common Chinese-surname pitfall.
7. Birth Date
Same YYYY Month DD format on the printout; enter as MM/DD/YYYY when looking up.
8. Document Number
This is the passport number used to enter — not the I-94 number. If you renew your passport later, the old I-94 still shows the old passport number. Travel with both or transfer the I-94.
9. Country of Citizenship
Per the passport you entered on — not country of birth or residence.
Extra signals from the two samples
- Family together → near-sequential I-94 numbers. Independent admissions though — each person's Admit Until Date is judged separately.
- Same class, possibly different stays. CBP can grant two co-travelers different lengths. Always check each I-94.
- No departure on the I-94 printout. Use Travel History to verify exits.
Common misreads
- ❌ "Visa is still valid, so I can stay." — Wrong. Use Admit Until Date.
- ❌ "No end date shown, so I can stay indefinitely." — Probably D/S or a truncated copy; re-query.
- ❌ "I'll post a screenshot to a forum for help." — That exposes passport + DOB. Only share with a lawyer, employer compliance, or government.
This site provides general information only.
Frequently asked (FAQ)
Why is the Admit Until Date 6 months after a B2 entry?
CBP officers typically grant B1/B2 visitors up to 6 months. The exact length is the officer's call. Admit Until Date — not the visa expiration — controls your authorized stay.
What does the trailing 'A5' on the I-94 number mean?
The Admission Number is 11 digits + a letter + a digit (e.g. ...A5). The suffix is a CBP internal check/version marker. Employers and agencies just need the full string.
Why are family members' I-94 numbers nearly sequential?
Travelers processed back-to-back at the same desk get sequentially issued numbers. Each person still has an independent admission — Admit Until Date is decided per person.
Is Document Number the same as the I-94 Number?
No. Document Number is your passport number used to enter. The I-94 Admission Record Number is a separate field.
How do I read the date format '2026 March 30'?
CBP uses 'YYYY Month DD' to avoid 03/30 vs 30/03 ambiguity. Adopt the same format in your own records.
Why is there no visa number or SEVIS ID on the I-94?
The I-94 records the admission (class + length). The visa number is on the visa foil; SEVIS ID is on I-20 / DS-2019. Three separate documents.
Don't want to babysit Admit Until Date?
i94.io can auto-set 90/60/30/14/7-day reminders per admission, tracked individually for each family member.
Set reminders on i94.ioRelated articles
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.