U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects all foreign national students, scholars, dependents and visitors to the U.S. arriving at an air, land or sea border and grants admission to the U.S. in an appropriate immigration classification status (including F-1, J-1, H-1B and other statuses). Admission to the U.S. in a specific immigration status is documented via an entry stamp in the passport as well as an electronic or paper I-94 Arrival Record. Electronic I-94 records can be downloaded and printed at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94
Occasionally when entering the U.S., errors may occur on the passport stamp notation, electronic I-94 record, or paper I-94 card. These errors must be corrected to ensure that the status of the student, scholar, dependent or visitor is documented properly and that immigration benefits (such as permission to study or work) are correctly applied.
There are two ways to correct an I-94 card/record or a passport stamp notation. If you need immediate assistance or if the error was made on your paper I-94 card or passport stamp, then you must go in person to the Deferred Inspection Office. However, if your passport notation is correct and the error was made to your electronic I-94 record, then you may be able to resolve this matter by email.
Options
Method 1: Going in Person to the CBP Deferred Inspection Office
To correct an I-94 card/record or passport stamp in person, return in person to the CBP Deferred Inspection Office nearest your location of study.
If you are studying in Boston
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address: | Logan International Airport Terminal E Lower Level, Room 500, Boston, MA 02128 |
| Hours of Operation: | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday |
| Contact Information: | 617-568-1810 |
| I-94 Correction Instructions: | cbp.boston.i94 [at] cbp.dhs.gov (cbp[dot]boston[dot]i94[at]cbp[dot]dhs[dot]gov) |
If you are studying in Los Angeles
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address: | Deferred Inspection Unit 300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 2067 Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| Hours of Operation: | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday |
| Contact Information: | Phone: 213-830-5972 Fax: 213830-5939 |
| I-94 Correction Instructions: | I94lax [at] cbp.dhs.gov (I94lax[at]cbp[dot]dhs[dot]gov ) |
Take all of your original immigration documentation with you to this office and explain why you believe there is an error on your I-94 card, I-94 electronic record, or passport admission stamp, and ask for their assistance in having the error corrected.
If you are seeking correction to the I-94 card/record, or passport stamp of your dependent spouse or child, then your dependent must accompany you to the Deferred Inspection Office. Your dependent must take all of their original immigration documents with them.
Method 2: Requesting an I-94 Correction By Email
Corrections to a paper I-94 card or passport stamp can only be done in person. Going to the CBP Deferred Inspection Office is also advisable for time-sensitive situations, as email requests are handled only after all in-person cases are resolved.
However, if your passport admissions stamp is correct, and there is an error on your I-94 electronic record, you may be eligible to request a correction of your electronic I-94 via email. If you are corrected your record via email, it is advisable to contact the Deferred Inspection office for the location where you entered the U.S.
For Boston email: cbp.boston.i94 [at] cbp.dhs.gov (cbp[dot]boston[dot]i94[at]cbp[dot]dhs[dot]gov)
For Los Angeles email: I94lax [at] cbp.dhs.gov (I94lax[at]cbp[dot]dhs[dot]gov )
To request a correction to your I-94 electronic record, send a clear email request to Boston CBP explaining the situation and the correction that is being requested. You will receive a notification telling you that your correction has been made within a few days time.
Electronic records can be verified at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94
Sample Email
SAMPLE E-MAIL REQUEST TO SEND TO DEFERRED INSPECTION OFFICE
To: *Verify email for correct CPB office
For Boston: cbp.boston.i94 [at] cbp.dhs.gov (cbp[dot]boston[dot]i94[at]cbp[dot]dhs[dot]gov)
For Los Angeles: I94lax [at] cbp.dhs.gov (I94lax[at]cbp[dot]dhs[dot]gov )
Re: I-94 Correction / Passport # ___________________
Name: [enter full legal name as it appears in passport]
Country of Citizenship:
Date of Birth:
Passport Number:
SEVIS Number:
U.S. Visa Control Number:
Visa Expiration Date:
Class of Most Recent Admission:
Date of Last Arrival:
Port of Entry (Airport):
Dear Deferred Inspection:
I am requesting a correction to my I-94 arrival record. I entered the US through [PORT OF ENTRY] on [DATE].
[PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ERRONEOUS ADMISSION AND EXPLAIN REASON FOR CORRECTION BEING SOUGHT.]
Please find attached the following documents in support of this request for your review:
• I-94 entry record showing my most recent admission
• Copy of my passport biographical page
• Copy of my visa stamp AND admission/entry stamp for last admission into the US
• Form I-20 / Form DS-2019 / Form I-797 (as applicable)
[For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, as well as F-2 and J-2 dependents] I request admission to the U.S. for “D/S” (duration of status).
[For visitors or others] I request admission to the U.S. until [applicable status end date].
Thank you for your time. Should further information be required, please contact Emerson College Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) at oisa [at] emerson.edu (oisa[at]emerson[dot]edu) or 617-824-7858.
Sincerely,
Your Name