Starting this in May 2013, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement a new procedure for visitors entering the United States by air and sea.  CBP will no longer issue paper I-94 cards (the white card normally stapled in your passport).  Instead, your passport will now be stamped with your visa status and “duration of status,” or an expiration date.  You will now be able to access and print your I-94 at the CBP website: www.cbp.gov/I94.  We strongly recommend all visitors print their I-94.

The new procedure will be phased in over two months. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) should see implementation on or around May 14, 2013 though this schedule could change.

Although CBP has notified relevant government agencies of the new procedures, the ISSO recommends that all UCSF students and scholars print a copy of their electronic, I-94 number verification from www.cbp.gov/I94 after their next entry into the United States.

You can find more information about the new procedures on CBP’s I-94 website at www.cbp.gov/I94.  The ISSO doesn’t expect any significant problems with this new procedure, however we want make sure the international community is aware of the upcoming changes.