PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
Oct 16th 2007, 11:49 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3
PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
Dear all,
In Feb this year, I went to New York for a business trip which was quite productive.
On the last day of my trip, I lost my I-94 departure slip. I couldn't find it before I went to JFK airport to catch my flight. I told one of the flight attendents at the airline counter (in my case it was KLM) of my situation. She said that it wasn't problem as she could check me in, but I would have to inform the US Embassy in London (I'm from the U.K) that I had left the U.S.A. She scanned my passport which has the computer bio chip, printed my boarding pass and let me through. I got onto my flight without a problem.
As soon as I got back to the U.K, I wrote to the U.S embassy of how I lost the I-94 and told them that I am now back in the U.K. They sent an automated response telling me to return the I-94; it didn't give any information of what to do if you lost it!
It was only in July this year, I found out that I had to write letter to ACS - CBP SBU, P.O Box 7125, London, KY confirming that I have left the United States and provide information clearly stating that I am now back in my home country. I wrote a letter to ACS - CBP SBU, P.O Box 7125, London, KY stating my situation. I also sent them the original boarding pass I used to leave the U.S, my E- Tickets, luggage tags, photocopies of my passport pages, credit card and bank account statments displaying transactions made outside the U.S.A and the automated response I recieved from the U.S Embassy. I sent them originals, but I did make photocopies just in case......
I'm planning to go back to New York in Feb next year and I am really worried what may happen if things don't go smoothly. I'm thinking of writing a letter to the Customs and Border Protection in Washington asking what is my status in the U.S as well sending them the same information that I gave to the ACS - CBP. I'm also thinking of bringing with me copies of the same documents that I sent to the ACS when I fly over to New York in Feb.
CAN ANYONE please tell me if I have done or doing the right thing? Also if anyone can give me advice on the issue would be greatly appreciated!! I'm really worried that I maybe denied entry to the U.S in my next visit.
Yours,
"A Very Very Worried" Frank
In Feb this year, I went to New York for a business trip which was quite productive.
On the last day of my trip, I lost my I-94 departure slip. I couldn't find it before I went to JFK airport to catch my flight. I told one of the flight attendents at the airline counter (in my case it was KLM) of my situation. She said that it wasn't problem as she could check me in, but I would have to inform the US Embassy in London (I'm from the U.K) that I had left the U.S.A. She scanned my passport which has the computer bio chip, printed my boarding pass and let me through. I got onto my flight without a problem.
As soon as I got back to the U.K, I wrote to the U.S embassy of how I lost the I-94 and told them that I am now back in the U.K. They sent an automated response telling me to return the I-94; it didn't give any information of what to do if you lost it!
It was only in July this year, I found out that I had to write letter to ACS - CBP SBU, P.O Box 7125, London, KY confirming that I have left the United States and provide information clearly stating that I am now back in my home country. I wrote a letter to ACS - CBP SBU, P.O Box 7125, London, KY stating my situation. I also sent them the original boarding pass I used to leave the U.S, my E- Tickets, luggage tags, photocopies of my passport pages, credit card and bank account statments displaying transactions made outside the U.S.A and the automated response I recieved from the U.S Embassy. I sent them originals, but I did make photocopies just in case......
I'm planning to go back to New York in Feb next year and I am really worried what may happen if things don't go smoothly. I'm thinking of writing a letter to the Customs and Border Protection in Washington asking what is my status in the U.S as well sending them the same information that I gave to the ACS - CBP. I'm also thinking of bringing with me copies of the same documents that I sent to the ACS when I fly over to New York in Feb.
CAN ANYONE please tell me if I have done or doing the right thing? Also if anyone can give me advice on the issue would be greatly appreciated!! I'm really worried that I maybe denied entry to the U.S in my next visit.
Yours,
"A Very Very Worried" Frank
Oct 17th 2007, 1:54 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 329
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
Hi Frank,
I did exactly the same thing in 2005. I only realised that I had to write to the address in Kentucky about 4 weeks before I was due to fly to the US for another visit. I wrote to them as you did, providing evidence that I'd been back in the UK the whole time and hoped for the best. I do know that they will not contact you to confirm anything, you just have to try to enter again to see if they have acted upon it. Anyway, I entered again 4 weeks after mailing it off and I had no problems at all at the POE. They didn't mention it and neither did I. I've been back and forth a number of times since without any problem. I have to tell you though that waiting in that immigration line was about the most nervous I have ever been in my life!
I'm sure you'll be just fine.
I did exactly the same thing in 2005. I only realised that I had to write to the address in Kentucky about 4 weeks before I was due to fly to the US for another visit. I wrote to them as you did, providing evidence that I'd been back in the UK the whole time and hoped for the best. I do know that they will not contact you to confirm anything, you just have to try to enter again to see if they have acted upon it. Anyway, I entered again 4 weeks after mailing it off and I had no problems at all at the POE. They didn't mention it and neither did I. I've been back and forth a number of times since without any problem. I have to tell you though that waiting in that immigration line was about the most nervous I have ever been in my life!
I'm sure you'll be just fine.
Oct 17th 2007, 2:14 am
#3
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
Frank! Decaf!
Proof of you being outside the UK, like E Muffin suggests, can be submitted to Kentucky and carried with you to the POE.
Next time, mail copies, always retain originals unless specifically requested.
Proof of you being outside the UK, like E Muffin suggests, can be submitted to Kentucky and carried with you to the POE.
Next time, mail copies, always retain originals unless specifically requested.
Oct 17th 2007, 9:33 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 329
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
Oct 23rd 2007, 3:39 pm
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
I am in same situation, did you send them a copy of your I-94 or the actual I-94?
And what other documents did you send? i am sending bank statements and employees wage slips. will this do, or do i need flight documents etc?
And what other documents did you send? i am sending bank statements and employees wage slips. will this do, or do i need flight documents etc?
Oct 23rd 2007, 3:53 pm
#6
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,179
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
Stop stressing out, Guys!
I'm sure this kind of thing happens all the time.
I once discovered that all our I-94s were still in our passports nearly 6 months later. Not realising what the proper procedure was, I just sent them to the US Embassy in London, explaining in a covering letter that we left on such and such a date.
We never had any problems thereafter.
I'm sure this kind of thing happens all the time.
I once discovered that all our I-94s were still in our passports nearly 6 months later. Not realising what the proper procedure was, I just sent them to the US Embassy in London, explaining in a covering letter that we left on such and such a date.
We never had any problems thereafter.
Oct 23rd 2007, 4:43 pm
#7
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 329
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
I couldn't send either because I had lost the I-94W. I sent them pay slips and credit card statements to show that I had been in the UK and the original boarding pass from the flight back.
Oct 23rd 2007, 5:05 pm
#8
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: PLEASE HELP!! Lost I-94
How to record departure from the United States after the fact.
I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the U.S., what should I do?
If you returned home with your Department of Homeland Security Form I-94 (white) or Form I-94W (green) Departure Record in your passport, it means that your departure was not recorded properly. It is your responsibility to correct this record. You must provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sufficient information so we can record your timely departure from the United States. This will close out your earlier record of arrival to this country.
If you do not validate a timely departure from the United States, or, if you cannot reasonably prove otherwise when you apply for admission to the U.S. in the future, CBP may conclude you remained in the U.S. beyond your authorized stay. If this happens, the next time you apply to enter the U.S. your visa may be subject to cancellation or you may be returned immediately to your foreign point of origin.
In particular, visitors who remain beyond their permitted stay in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program cannot reenter the U.S. in the future without obtaining a visa from a U.S. Consulate. If this occurs and you arrive at a U.S. port-of-entry seeking admission under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa, CBP Officers may order your immediate return to a foreign point of origin.
If you failed to turn in your I-94 Departure Record, please send it, along with any documentation that proves you left the United States to:
ACS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
Do not mail your Form I-94 Departure Record or supporting information to any U.S. Consulate or Embassy, to any other CBP office in the United States, or to any address other than the one above. Only at this location are we able to make the necessary corrections to CBP records to prevent inconvenience to you in the future.
To validate departure, CBP will consider a variety of information, including but not limited to:
-Original boarding passes you used to depart the United States;
-Photocopies of entry or departure stamps in your passport indicating entry to another country after you departed the United States (you should copy all passport pages that are not completely blank, and include the biographical page containing your photograph); and
-Photocopies of other supporting evidence, such as:
-Dated pay slips or vouchers from your employer to indicate you worked in another country after you departed the United States,
-Dated bank records showing transactions to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States,
-School records showing attendance at a school outside the United States to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States, and
-Dated credit card receipts, showing your name, but, the credit card number deleted, for purchases made after you left the United States to indicate you were in another country after leaving the United States.
To assist us in understanding the situation and correct your records quickly, please include an explanation letter in English. Your statement will not be acceptable without supporting evidence such as noted above. You must mail legible copies or original materials where possible. If you send original materials, you should retain a copy. CBP cannot return original materials after processing.
We strongly urge you to keep a copy of what you send to ACS-CBP and carry it with you the next time you come to the United States in case the CBP officer has any questions about your eligibility to enter.
If taking short trips (30 days or less) to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands during the course of your visit to the U.S., hold onto your I-94 or I-94 (W). It should only be turned in when you leave the U.S. to return home.
Delays beyond the traveler's control, such as cancelled or delayed flights, medical emergencies requiring a doctor's care, etc. are not considered unauthorized overstays, however, you will need to bring proof of the cause of your overstay next time you travel to the U.S. in order for it to be forgiven. For airline delays, ask the airline for a letter affirming the delay or a copy of your cancelled boarding pass.
I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the U.S., what should I do?
If you returned home with your Department of Homeland Security Form I-94 (white) or Form I-94W (green) Departure Record in your passport, it means that your departure was not recorded properly. It is your responsibility to correct this record. You must provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sufficient information so we can record your timely departure from the United States. This will close out your earlier record of arrival to this country.
If you do not validate a timely departure from the United States, or, if you cannot reasonably prove otherwise when you apply for admission to the U.S. in the future, CBP may conclude you remained in the U.S. beyond your authorized stay. If this happens, the next time you apply to enter the U.S. your visa may be subject to cancellation or you may be returned immediately to your foreign point of origin.
In particular, visitors who remain beyond their permitted stay in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program cannot reenter the U.S. in the future without obtaining a visa from a U.S. Consulate. If this occurs and you arrive at a U.S. port-of-entry seeking admission under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa, CBP Officers may order your immediate return to a foreign point of origin.
If you failed to turn in your I-94 Departure Record, please send it, along with any documentation that proves you left the United States to:
ACS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
Do not mail your Form I-94 Departure Record or supporting information to any U.S. Consulate or Embassy, to any other CBP office in the United States, or to any address other than the one above. Only at this location are we able to make the necessary corrections to CBP records to prevent inconvenience to you in the future.
To validate departure, CBP will consider a variety of information, including but not limited to:
-Original boarding passes you used to depart the United States;
-Photocopies of entry or departure stamps in your passport indicating entry to another country after you departed the United States (you should copy all passport pages that are not completely blank, and include the biographical page containing your photograph); and
-Photocopies of other supporting evidence, such as:
-Dated pay slips or vouchers from your employer to indicate you worked in another country after you departed the United States,
-Dated bank records showing transactions to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States,
-School records showing attendance at a school outside the United States to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States, and
-Dated credit card receipts, showing your name, but, the credit card number deleted, for purchases made after you left the United States to indicate you were in another country after leaving the United States.
To assist us in understanding the situation and correct your records quickly, please include an explanation letter in English. Your statement will not be acceptable without supporting evidence such as noted above. You must mail legible copies or original materials where possible. If you send original materials, you should retain a copy. CBP cannot return original materials after processing.
We strongly urge you to keep a copy of what you send to ACS-CBP and carry it with you the next time you come to the United States in case the CBP officer has any questions about your eligibility to enter.
If taking short trips (30 days or less) to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands during the course of your visit to the U.S., hold onto your I-94 or I-94 (W). It should only be turned in when you leave the U.S. to return home.
Delays beyond the traveler's control, such as cancelled or delayed flights, medical emergencies requiring a doctor's care, etc. are not considered unauthorized overstays, however, you will need to bring proof of the cause of your overstay next time you travel to the U.S. in order for it to be forgiven. For airline delays, ask the airline for a letter affirming the delay or a copy of your cancelled boarding pass.
