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What is the automated I-94 and where is it used?
The Immigration and Naturalization Service has introduced a new automated system which captures Form I-94 arrival and departure card data electronically at air ports of entry. The system is now operational at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Charlotte international airports and is used in the inspection of US Airways and TWA airline flights that depart from Munich, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome and Paris.
How is the card produced?
The automated I-94 System employs magnetic stripe technology to capture and store the arrival and departure data for non-U.S. citizens. This is the same technology used by the airline industry to produce machine-readable boarding passes. The automated I-94 Arrival Card looks similar to an airline boarding pass. It contains Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) information, which includes passport and flight information provided at passenger check-in.
What is required of the traveler?
At the port of entry, the passenger presents the I-94 arrival card along with their passport to the Immigration Inspector. The inspector uses the automated system to "read" the prerecorded I-94 arrival Card information and to electronically confirm the passenger's arrival. Upon completion of the inspection, the inspector creates an actual arrival record by adding the date, place and class of the traveler's admission to the United States. The inspector then produces an automated I-94 Departure Card containing the arrival data. The departure card is given to the traveler and kept until given to the airline upon the traveler's departure from the US. The airline collects and returns the departure card to the INS.
(Courtesy INS)
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