What is I-94 ?

[Abdul456456456 2]

When my wife comes into the US for the first time, I think she has to fill out the I-94 form ? Can anyone brief me about this? Thanks.

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's given to document those who's entering the USA. Proof that you landed on US soil, and you went through custom. Citizens of the US are also given that form too. You have to declare what's in your luggages, and describe your visit, stuff like that.

Edited March 17, 2007 by consolemaster

[Alanlvsjudy 0]

They will give her the I-94 on the plane, before landing.

[Len & How 0]

It's given to document those who's entering the USA. Proof that you landed on US soil, and you went through custom. Citizens of the US are also given that form too. You have to declare what's in your luggages, and describe your visit, stuff like that.

Consolemaster, the form you are talking about is the Customs Declaration - that one really has to be filled out by everybody, no matter if you are a US citizen, LPR or not (although only one form is to be filled out per family).

The I-94 is only filled out by aliens, i.e. those who aren't US citizens or LPR's. It has Arrival Record part and Departure Record part. Your wife will be given the form on the plane (together with the Customs Declaration) and has to fill out both parts. The Immigration Officer will then staple the Departure Record to her passport. It should be removed when you adjust her status.

I'm attaching a very bad picture of it (sorry about that), but at least you can see how it looks like. I'm sure there is a better I-94 somewhere out there...

formular_I94.pdf

[Len & How 0]

Hm, I just noticed, you are going through CR/IR visa, so then I don't think she has to fill out the I-94, because she actually is an LPR.... I'm not sure though.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Thanks for the correction. The customs officer just crumpled my I-94 and throw it into the trash. I didn't bother noticing.

[YuAndDan 153]

Hm, I just noticed, you are going through CR/IR visa, so then I don't think she has to fill out the I-94, because she actually is an LPR.... I'm not sure though.

Yes if entering the USA on an immigrant visa like CR-1 or IR-1, the I-94 is not necessary, the immigrant is considered to be LPR immediately on entry to the USA, and LPRs do not need to complete that form.

[Abdul456456456 2]

Thanks guys. So what kind of visa is my wife coming on? When will she receive a green card and stuff like that ?

[YuAndDan 153]

Thanks guys. So what kind of visa is my wife coming on? When will she receive a green card and stuff like that ?

You should know which visa your wife is entering on, your profile shows CR-1/IR-1, Did you file only 1-130, (CR-1/IR-1) or did you file I-130, and then file 1-129F (K-3)?

IF CR-1/IR-1 you wont need to do an I-94 for entry to the USA, and should receive green-card a few weeks after entering the country, the officer at the POE will also stamp passport with I-551 stamp indicating green-card.

IF K-3 visa then you will do an I-94 card for entry, and after entry to the USA you will have to file to adjust status and wait for an interview, and then get green-card after approval at the AOS interview.

[gearheadgeek 1]

I just saw this thread. I brought my fiancee in on a K-1 visa and she got the same form as I did. I guess I had not done my homework thoroughly enough to understand the process. Perhaps I needed to ask the Polish stewardess for an I-94? Perhaps the immigration officer took care of it? He certainly said nothing about it being missing.

Funny story - my finacee's friend,who had married a Texan but it didn't work out, said Nadya needed to declare the jewelry she was wearing. She had just gotten $1400 worth of earrings and ring from her daughters and wanted to declare it. I argued that she did NOT need to do that. I did not want to have to pay duty on it. So she asked the Polish stew, who didn't know whether Nadya as a US citizen, K-1 visa holder, or illegal alien, and the stew confirmed what I was saying, so Nadya accepted it. BTW, I now have credibility, so that is not a real problem.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Thanks guys. So what kind of visa is my wife coming on? When will she receive a green card and stuff like that ?

Her CR-1 (or IR-1) IS a conditional Green Card. She will bet a stamp in her passport valid for 1 year--and you should receive the actual PLASTIC card within that time. 90 days before the expiry of the conditional GC, she can apply to have conditions removed ("for a fee, change the 2-year GC to a 10-year").

Edited March 19, 2007 by CherryXS