Students

I-94 record

What is an I-94 record?

The I-94 is an official US government record of when you enter. Your I-94 record confirms the immigration status under which you entered the US and the duration of time you can legally stay in the US.

If you entered the US. with an F or J visa, your Admit Until Date should say “D/S.” This means that you can legally stay in the US for the duration of your status, or the duration of your student program.

If you have a date on your I-94 record, contact us as soon as possible.

The electronic I-94 record will continue to be available to you while you remain in the US. Once you depart the US, your electronic I-94 record will no longer be available for you to view.

Each time you reenter the US, a new I-94 record will be created. You should review it and print it each time.

I-94 Admission Record

How to get your I-94 record

Use the steps at the right to get your I-94 record. Make sure all the information in your record is accurate.

Print out your I-94 record and keep it with your other immigration documents.

The electronic I-94 record will continue to be available to you while you remain in the U.S. Once you depart the US, your electronic I-94 record will no longer be available for you to view.

Each time you reenter the U.S., a new I-94 record will be created. You should review it and print each time.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Steps to Get your I-94

Step 1: After you enter the United States, go to the I-94 site here.

Step 2: Click ‘Get Most Recent I-94’

Step 3: Click ‘Consent & Continue’

Step 4: Fill in all boxes with information from your passport, then click ‘Next’

    • Note: ‘Country of Issuance’ is the country that gave you your passport.

Step 5: Your I-94 should pop up, similar to the document above. Make sure you go to the next drop-down menu “What to Check” to make sure all information is correct.

What to Check

Check that the following information is accurate:

    • Recent Date of Entry: This should be the date you most recently entered the US on your F-1 or J-1 Status
    • Class of Admission is your visa type. In your I-94 you should see Class of Admission = F1 or J1 depending on what your visa type is.
    • Admit Until Date: This should be D/S. D/S stands for Duration of Status. If you have a date instead of D/S please contact ISS immediately.

If you notice your I-94 is not meeting the information required above, please send your ISS Advisor an Information Request.

Troubleshooting if you cannot get your I-94

  • Enter the name as stated in the passport, visa, or the submitted Form DS-160. CBP does not always type the name from the passport correctly The instructions on CBP’s website state that the name is taken from the visa, if any. Check the passport, visa, and a copy of the submitted Form DS-160 (if available) for name variations. Try entering the name as stated on each document. 
  • Enter the first and middle name in the First Name field. In the first name field, type the first and the middle name (if any) with a space in between. Do this even if the middle name is not stated on the passport or visa. 
  • Switch the order of the names. Switch the last and first name when entering the information on the website. Some countries state the name in the passport as first name, last name, rather than the more standard order of last name, first name. This may cause the name to be recorded incorrectly in the CBP system. 
  • Enter multiple first names or multiple last names without spaces. If a person has two first names or two last names, type the first names without a space between them or the last names without a space between them. Example: type the first names “Mary Ann” as “Maryann” 
  • Check for multiple passport numbers. Check the Form DS-160 (if available) for the passport number stated. If the passport number on the Form DS-160 is different than the passport number on which the person was admitted, type the passport number as stated on the submitted Form DS-160. Also, check the passport number stated on the visa. If the passport number is different than the current passport, enter the passport number stated on the visa. 
  • Do not enter the year if included in the passport number. Some passport numbers may begin with the year in which the passport was issued, causing the number to be too long for the relevant field in CBP’s automation system. If relevant, try entering the passport number without the year. For example, a Mexican passport that was issued in 2008 may have a passport number that starts with “08” followed by 9 digits.

If you still can’t find your I-94 please follow the directions here to contact Customs and Border Protection

How to Correct My I-94

If you have reviewed our tips and you still cannot locate your I-94 record, you must email Customs and Border Protection Deferred Inspection so they can fix your record.

Read How to Correct I-94 Issue. Contact ISS if you need help or have questions.

F-1 AND J-1 COMPARISON

Every full-time degree-seeking student at UW-Madison is eligible for the F-1 visa and the majority of UW-Madison international students hold this visa status. Some students may also be eligible for the J-1 student visa, an exchange visitor option.  The J-1 visa is part of a larger U.S. Department of State mission to foster cultural and educational exchange between countries. To be eligible for the J-1 student visa, a substantial portion of your financial support (51% or higher) must be from a source other than your personal assets.  This can include UW-Madison funding or scholarship from another organization. Students with only personal or family funding are NOT eligible for J-1 status.  There are a few basic differences between the F-1 and J-1 visa types, which are outlined in the chart below.

 

F-1 Status

J-1 Status
Source of Funding No funding source requirements. Can be funded through personal, UW-Madison, or independent scholarships. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funding to cover one year’s tuition and living expenses. A substantial portion of funding (51% minimum) must be from a source other than personal funds. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funding to cover the length of the program of study. ISS will review and approve submitted funding.
On Campus Employment Part time (up to 20 hours/week) when school is in session, full time during periods of recess. Part time (up to 20 hours/week) when school is in session, full time during periods of recess. Prior permission must be obtained from ISS.
Off Campus Employment Optional Practical Training (OPT)- up to 12 month period per degree level of training directly related to their studies. No job offer required prior to application.

OPT STEM Extension- additional 24 month period after approved OPT period. Employment must be directly related to earned STEM degree. Employment offer and training plan with E-verify employer required.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)- training during your studies that is directly related to the program of study and tied to a credit-bearing course (or required of the declared degree program.)

 Academic Training – Duration equal to length of study or 18 months whichever is shorter.  PhD students eligible for up to 36 months. Graduating students must have job offer within 30 days of graduation. Employment experience must be directly related to the program of study.
Dependents F-2 dependents are not eligible for employment.  

F-2 dependents may not engage in a full course of study but are allowed to study part time. 

F-2 child may engage in full-time study in any elementary or secondary school (K-12).

For more information, please see Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?

 J-2 dependents are eligible to apply to USCIS for permission to work in the US after their arrival and must renew permission annually.
Please see J-2 Employment Authorization Handout

J-2 dependents are allowed to study part time or full time.

J-2 child may engage in full-time study in any elementary or secondary school (K-12).

For more information, please see Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?
Requirement to Return Home upon program completion Non-immigrant intent visa; must prove strong ties to the home country. No requirement to return home upon program completion. Non-immigrant intent visa; must prove strong ties to the home country. Some Exchange Visitors and their dependents may be subject to the two year home country physical presence requirement upon program completion.
Change to Another Visa Status Not eligible to change to F status in the United States if you are subject to two year home country physical presence requirement if you wish to change status in the U.S.
Change of Major (Program of Study) No restriction. Program objective must remain consistent.
Change of Education Level No restriction. Cannot move from non-degree to degree-seeking, or vice versa.

Cannot change to lower degree level (i.e. PhD to Masters)
Transfer to Another U.S. Institution No restrictions Program objective (field of study) must be consistent.
Bar to J-1 Scholar Status None J-1 students completing an academic program will be subject to a 12 month wait before they are able to use the J-1 research scholar/professor category.

Adapted from Yale University: https://oiss.yale.edu/immigration/f-1-students/f-1-j-1-comparison

To Students: Selecting a Visa Type

A student will be asked to select a visa type as part of the admissions process. If you choose to be considered for a J-1 visa, you must also select one of the following alternatives in case you do not meet the requirements for a J-1 visa.

  • Stay on current visa (i.e. H4). Verify that you are eligible to study on your current visa.
  • UW-Madison will issue an F-1 visa
  • UW-Madison will not issue any visa documentation

Important information regarding funding for J-1 students and hosting departments

  • The funding must be guaranteed for the length of the program. Funding possibilities include, but are not limited to:
    • UW-Madison assistantship
    • UW-Madison fellowship
    • Third party organization sponsorship/fellowship
  • ISS will review funding and determine eligibility for J-1 visa
  • If the J-1 student is employed on campus, employment permission must be renewed every year
  • The J-1 student cannot change or add a major if it deviates from the program objective
  • The J-1 student cannot change from a higher to lower degree level
  • The J-1 student cannot move from degree-seeking to non degree-seeking or vice versa

ENROLLED – CURRENT STUDENTS

If you’re vaccinated off campus, you can upload your record to MyUHS.

Many of you are also eligible for COVID-19 booster shots available at University Health Services (UHS).

For more information, please see COVID-19 Response page. Vaccines that are not currently U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use-approved can still be uploaded to your MyUHS for review by a medical doctor.

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