The paper version of Form I-94, the arrival and departure record for people on a non-immigrant visa, will be replaced by an automated system. Starting next week filling in the white I-94 Form will no longer be required, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Form I-94 is the official Arrival-Departure Record for people on an non-immigrant visa. For visitors, there used to be a green I-94W form which was replaced in 2010 with the ESTA system; something similar is now happening for people on a non-immigrant visa such as an H-1B, a F-1 or a J-1.

Effective April 26, 2013, non-immigrants traveling to the United States by air or sea will no longer need to fill out a paper Form I-94; CBP will automate Form I-94 using traveler information already transmitted through electronic means and CBP will create an electronic Form I-94 based on the information in its databases.

Paper copy still required in some cases

In response to this announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that other government agencies will continue to use the paper Form I-94. Notably, USCIS and the State Department of Motor Vehicles will continue to require a paper copy of Form I-94 as evidence of their legal status in the United States. A paper copy of Form I-94 will also still be an acceptable List A document that a work-authorized non-immigrant may present to his/her employer during employment eligibility verification.

Travelers requiring a hard copy of the Form I-94 or other evidence of lawful admission to the United States will be directed to www.cbp.gov/I94 to print a copy of the Form I-94 based on the electronically submitted data. People who go through secondary inspection, such as asylum seekers, refugees, and parolees, will be provided a paper copy of Form I-94 by a CBP officer.