CBP Adds VWP Features to I-94 Website

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has added a couple of new features to the I-94 website for the benefit of foreign nationals traveling pursuant to the visa waiver program (VWP). The website now makes it easier for VWP travelers to track the number of days they may lawfully remain in the United States.

Background on VWP and Online I-94 System

The VWP is available to citizens of a specified list of countries. Citizens of the designated countries are permitted to travel to the United States for up to 90 days to engage in activities that would be appropriate within the categories of visitors for business or visitors for pleasure (B-1/B-2). The VWP is often referred to as ESTA because travelers apply for advance travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

The CBP launched an electronic I-94 system in May 2013, allowing for most I-94s issued at U.S. ports of entry to be done electronically. By inputting one’s passport and related information into the website, a traveler can view her/his I-94 and recent travel history.

New VWP Features

The I-94 website has been updated to list how many days of lawful status a VWP traveler has remaining. Or, if the VWP traveler has already overstayed, it will list how many days the person has overstayed his/her status. This information is in the “view compliance” section of the I-94 website.

The system also now automatically sends a reminder eMail to each VWP visitor ten days before the status is set to expire. Unlike the vast majority of other nonimmigrants, those who enter in VWP status typically are not eligible to extend or change status from within the United States. Therefore, an eMail reminder system is more practical for VWP travelers than it would be for many other nonimmigrants in the United States.

Conclusion

This enhancement to the I-94 webpage should help prevent inadvertent overstays by VWP travelers. Hopefully, additional features to assist travelers will be added in the near future.

Copyright © 2018, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved