As a follow-up from a previous Zelnick & Erickson client alert, the automated I-94 process is now in effect as of today.
As discussed earlier, US Customs and Border Protection will no longer require international nonimmigrant visitors to fill out a paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record upon arrival to the U.S. by air or sea. The agency will gather travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. This automation will streamline the entry process for travelers, facilitate security and reduce federal costs. CBP anticipates that the automated process will save the agency an estimated $15.5 million a year.
Below is the implementation schedule as reported by CBP:
Week 1
(4/30/13 – 5/03/13)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Orlando International Airport
Las Vegas Airport
Chicago O’Hare
Miami International Airport
Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport
Week 2
(5/7/13)
Major Air and Sea Ports within the following
field offices: New York, Boston, Buffalo, Baltimore, Detroit, Atlanta, Tampa, Puerto Rico, Miami,
Chicago, New Orleans, and Houston
Week 3
(5/14/13)
Major Air and Sea ports within the following field offices:
Pre-Clearance, San Francisco (includes Hawaii and Guam), Tucson, El Paso, Seattle, Portland (includes Alaska),
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Laredo
Week 4
(5/21/13)
All remaining airports and seaports
The CBP I-94 site for foreign nationals to obtain I-94 information is also currently live and can be viewed at the following link: