CBP FOLLOW-UP AND ADMISSION RECORD CORRECTION

CBP Deferred Inspection and I-94 Corrections

CBP Deferred Inspection offices do more than conduct scheduled follow-up inspections. Current CBP guidance also authorizes these offices to review certain errors that CBP made in immigration documents issued at entry.

Request an I-94 or Admission Record Review

Deferred Inspection Can Address

Incorrect nonimmigrant classification
Incorrect admission period
Biographical mistakes
Missing I-94 admission record
Scheduled Deferred Inspection

What Can a Deferred Inspection Site Correct?

Current CBP guidance states that Deferred Inspection staff may review and issue documents needed to remedy certain errors recorded at arrival, including improper nonimmigrant classification, inaccurate biographical information or an incorrect period of admission.

Deferred Inspection corrects CBP entry errors. It is not the correct procedure for every later change in circumstances or for simply extending a valid stay.

Examples of Correctable CBP Errors

CBP admitted the traveler in the wrong nonimmigrant classification.
The I-94 contains the wrong admit-until date.
The electronic I-94 has incorrect biographical information.
A person who was lawfully admitted cannot locate an I-94 record.
An arrival document contains another error made during CBP inspection.

What Deferred Inspection Does Not Normally Do

CBP states that a Deferred Inspection Site only corrects errors made at the time of entry.

It is not the normal procedure to extend a valid period of stay.
It is not the normal procedure to change nonimmigrant status.
It is not a general appeal of an expedited-removal order.
It does not automatically waive inadmissibility.
It is not a substitute for USCIS when the error originated in a USCIS action.

Check the Electronic I-94 After Every Entry

CBP makes electronic I-94 admission records available online. Travelers should review the class of admission and admit-until information soon after entering so that a mistake can be addressed promptly.

What Evidence Should Be Submitted?

Passport identification page.
Visa or admission document.
CBP admission stamp where present.
Electronic I-94 printout.
Form I-797 or petition approval where relevant.
Form I-20 or DS-2019 where relevant.
Travel itinerary or boarding documents.
A concise explanation of the CBP entry error.

Deferred Inspection Versus DHS TRIP

Deferred Inspection is generally the better fit for a specific CBP admission-document error made at entry. DHS TRIP is a broader traveler-redress process for problems such as repeated secondary inspection, delayed or denied entry and suspected inaccurate screening information.

See DHS TRIP After a Border Denial or Repeated Secondary Inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Deferred Inspection extend my stay?

CBP states that requests to extend a stay generally belong with USCIS rather than Deferred Inspection.

Can any Deferred Inspection office help?

CBP states that designated Deferred Inspection locations or appropriate CBP offices at international airports should generally be able to assist with qualifying document issues regardless of where the original document was issued.

What if USCIS created the incorrect I-94?

CBP distinguishes errors made by CBP at admission from errors originating in USCIS actions. The proper USCIS procedure should be used when USCIS created the record.

Primary Government Sources

These government materials provide the principal inspection and admission framework discussed on this page.

Correct a CBP Admission Error Before It Creates a Larger Status Problem

A wrong class of admission or admit-until date can affect employment, status and later immigration filings if it is not identified and corrected.

Request an I-94 Correction Review