Your I-94 number: what it is and where to find it
Your I-94 number, also called the admission number or I-94 record number, is the 11-character ID CBP gives each admission. Forms from USCIS and employers ask for it. It is also easy to confuse with the “document number” CBP asks for when you search, which is something else.
Checked against CBP and USCIS guidance on September 21, 2026. The sources are listed at the end of this page.
What an I-94 number looks like
CBP gives two formats, both 11 characters long:
| Issued | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Before May 2019 | 11 digits, numbers only | 01234567890 |
| From May 2019 | Nine digits, one letter, one digit | 012345678A1 |
Where to find your I-94 number
- On the printout from Get Most Recent I-94 on CBP’s I-94 website or the CBP Link app, labelled as the admission (I-94) record number.
- On an older paper I-94 card, printed on the card itself.
- If USCIS extended or changed your status, on the I-94 attached to the approval notice. That record replaces the one from your arrival, and it won’t appear in your CBP travel history.
What is the “document number” on the I-94 search?
This is the single most common point of confusion. When CBP’s I-94 search asks for a document number, it wants the number of the travel document you entered with, which is usually your passport number. It is not your I-94 number, your visa number or your A-number.
CBP’s exceptions: if you entered with a Border Crossing Card (Mexican citizens only), enter the card number. If you entered without a passport and were given an A-number, enter the A-number as the document number.
Use the passport you entered with, even if it has since expired or been replaced. CBP says the search must use the passport number linked to the I-94.
Where you’ll be asked for it
Most immigration and employment forms for people in the U.S. on temporary status ask for the I-94 number, including Form I-539 (extend or change status), Form I-765 (work permit) and Form I-485 (green card). Employers use the I-94 with your passport for Form I-9. Copy it exactly, including the letter in the newer format.
Frequently asked questions
What is the document number in the I-94 search?
It is the number of the travel document you used to enter the U.S., which for most people is their passport number. It is not the I-94 number. Mexican citizens who entered with a Border Crossing Card use the card number, and people who entered without a passport use their A-number.
Is the I-94 number the same as the admission number?
Yes. CBP’s printout calls it the admission (I-94) record number. They are the same 11-character number.
How many digits is an I-94 number?
Eleven characters. Numbers issued before May 2019 are all digits. Since May 2019 they are nine digits, then a letter, then a digit, for example 012345678A1.
Is the I-94 number on my passport or visa?
No. Your visa has its own number (the red number on the visa foil), and your passport number is different again. The I-94 number is on the I-94 record you retrieve from CBP.
Does my I-94 number change every time I enter the U.S.?
Each admission creates a new I-94 record with its own number. CBP’s website shows only the most recent one that matches your details, so always use the latest record on a new form.
Where is the I-94 number on an I-797 approval notice?
When USCIS approves an extension or change of status, the notice usually has a replacement I-94 attached at the bottom, with its own I-94 number. That number, not the one from your arrival, is your current record.
More I-94 guides
- What is Form I-94?
- I-94 Travel History: How to Get It and What It Shows
- I-94 Admit Until Date, D/S and Class of Admission
- How to Fix a Wrong I-94 or Replace a Lost One
- How to Read Your USCIS Receipt Notice, Line by Line
- I-765 Processing Time: What to Expect for Your Work Permit
- I-485 Checklist: Every Supporting Document
Sources
General information from CBP and USCIS guidance, not legal advice. MyCheck is not affiliated with CBP, USCIS or any government agency. Get your official I-94 only from CBP’s I-94 website or the CBP Link app. If your stay, status or a deadline is at risk, talk to an immigration attorney.
