On October 1, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it will no longer routinely stamp passports when travelers enter the United States. Instead, travelers can confirm their admission and authorized stay online through their electronic I-94 record. It is important to know where to find your records and when to check them.
What Changed
CBP officers no longer stamp passports during primary inspection, which is the first check at the airport or border. However, when appropriate, admission stamps may still be used during secondary inspection or in limited circumstances during primary inspection. This includes certain immigrant visa holders or travelers who request a stamp. CBP determines whether issuing a stamp is appropriate.
CBP has tested this approach at a number of major airports since 2021, so many travelers have already entered without a stamp.
What Is Not Changing
- Your status and authorized stay. These are set the same way as before. Only the passport stamp is going away.
- Your admission record. CBP still creates an electronic I-94 for each admission. You can view it on the official CBP I-94 website or in the CBP Link mobile app, along with up to five years of arrival history.
- Immigrant visa holders. People entering on immigrant visas may still receive a stamp.
- Your documents. Visas, green cards, work permits, and approval notices are not affected.
When This Matters
If you are visiting briefly and leaving on schedule, you likely won’t notice any difference. The change matters more if you will need to prove your status or authorized stay later. Your I-94 is used for:
- Confirming how long you can stay. The “Admit Until” date on your I-94 controls. It can differ from your visa expiration date or your approval notice dates.
- Employment. Employers often rely on the I-94 for employment verification (Form I-9) and for re-verifying work authorization.
- Other applications. Driver’s licenses, Social Security, school enrollment, banking, extensions, changes of status, and green card applications may all require your I-94.
Errors Can Happen
I-94 records are not always correct. The record is built largely from passenger data that airlines send to CBP, and CBP has noted that errors or delays in that data feed directly into the I-94 website. Common problems include:
- A misspelled name or incorrect date of birth
- The wrong class of admission
- An “Admit Until” date that is earlier than expected
- A record that is missing or has not yet appeared
An error like this can cause trouble later with employment, an application, or your authorized stay. Without a stamp to glance at, checking your I-94 online is now the only quick way to catch one.
Practical Steps After Each Entry
- Politely request a stamp if you need one. You can request one at inspection, though CBP may decline.
- Check your I-94 within a few days of arriving. Use the I-94 website or the CBP Link app. Confirm your name, date of birth, class of admission (such as H-1B, F-1, L-1, or B-2), and “Admit Until” date.
- Save a copy. Keep a PDF with your immigration records.
- If your I-94 record contains an error, contact your attorney to fix errors promptly. Corrections are easier soon after entry. Contact your attorney immediately. Certain I-94 errors can affect your status or work authorization; our immigration team can help you correct it ASAP.
For Employers and HR Teams
Remind your foreign national employees to check and save their I-94 after international travel, particularly ahead of work authorization re-verification deadlines.
Questions?
If you have questions about this change, or if you are having trouble finding or correcting your travel records, contact our team at here or call (610) 975-4599.
