You file USCIS Form I-102 to replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94 or I-94W), or to correct an I-94 that was issued with mistakes. The form is officially called the Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document, and only nonimmigrants already inside the United States can file it.
Losing your I-94 is more common than people think. According to CBP arrival statistics, more than 50 million nonimmigrant admissions occur each year, and a small but steady share of those travelers later need a replacement or correction record. The consequence of ignoring a missing or wrong I-94 is serious: you can lose proof of lawful status, fail an E-Verify check, miss a school enrollment deadline, or be flagged at your next port of entry.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every line of Form I-102 without triggering a Request for Evidence
- 💵 The current filing fee, fee waiver options, and where to pay
- 🛂 The difference between a CBP-issued I-94 and a USCIS replacement
- 👨🎓 How F-1, H-1B, B-2, and other status holders should approach the form
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that cause rejections and how to avoid them
What Form I-102 Actually Does
Form I-102 is the official tool the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services uses to replace or correct a nonimmigrant’s Arrival/Departure Record once that traveler is already in the country. The form sits at the intersection of two agencies, because U.S. Customs and Border Protection issues the original I-94 at the port of entry, while USCIS handles replacements after admission. That split matters, because filing with the wrong agency wastes both time and money.
The legal foundation for Form I-102 lives in 8 CFR §235.1 and the admission rules under INA §235. These rules require every nonimmigrant to keep a valid record of admission while inside the United States. The consequence of not having one is that you cannot prove your lawful status to an employer, a school, the Social Security Administration, or a state DMV. A real-world example: Priya, an F-1 student from India, lost her passport with the I-94 stamp inside on the New York subway and could not register for spring classes until she filed Form I-102 and received a replacement.
A common misconception is that everyone needs Form I-102 to get an I-94. That is wrong. Most travelers admitted by air or sea since 2013 receive an electronic I-94 that they can print for free from the CBP I-94 website. You only need Form I-102 when the electronic record cannot be retrieved, the paper card is missing, or the data on the record is incorrect.
Who Can File Form I-102
Only nonimmigrants who were lawfully admitted to the United States and who are still physically present here can file Form I-102. That includes F-1 and M-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, H-1B and L-1 workers, B-1/B-2 visitors, O-1 extraordinary ability holders, TN professionals, and many others. The consequence of filing while abroad is automatic rejection, because USCIS has no jurisdiction over admission records for people outside the country.
Lawful permanent residents do not use this form. U.S. citizens never use it. People in removal proceedings should consult counsel before filing, because the form puts your address and status into an active USCIS system. A practical example: Marco, an H-1B engineer from Brazil, realized his I-94 listed his class of admission as B-2 by mistake, so he filed Form I-102 to correct the record before his employer ran E-Verify.
Three Reasons People File
There are exactly three reasons USCIS accepts a Form I-102 filing, and you must pick one on the form. The first is replacement of a lost, stolen, or destroyed I-94. The second is replacement of a lost, stolen, or destroyed I-94W (the older Visa Waiver Program card, now mostly phased out by ESTA). The third is a correction request for an I-94 that contains a typographical or data error.
Picking the wrong reason creates a domino effect of problems. If you mark “replacement” when you actually need a “correction,” USCIS may reissue the same wrong data and you will have to start over. A short scenario: Aisha, a J-1 research scholar from Kenya, marked her form as “lost” when in fact CBP had issued her record with the wrong end-date, so USCIS sent her a duplicate of the wrong record and she lost six weeks.
Form I-102 at a Glance
Before you fill anything out, you should understand the structure of the form and the timeline. The current edition is published on the Form I-102 page, and you must always use the latest edition or USCIS will reject the package. The instructions PDF is separate from the form PDF, and both should be downloaded together.
The processing time for Form I-102 swings between 4 and 12 months depending on the service center workload, which you can check on the USCIS Case Processing Times tool. The consequence of underestimating the timeline is missing a school start date, a job report-by date, or a travel plan. A common misconception is that paying the fee guarantees fast processing; it does not, and there is no premium processing option for Form I-102.
| Filing Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (paper) | $560 under the 2024 USCIS fee rule |
| Online filing fee | $510 through your myUSCIS account |
| Biometrics fee | None for Form I-102 |
| Where to file | USCIS direct filing addresses |
| Form edition | Always the latest on the I-102 page |
Step-by-Step: How to Complete Form I-102
The form is six pages long and broken into seven parts. Each part carries its own traps. The most reliable approach is to gather your documents first, then fill the form in one sitting, then sign it last so the date is current. The consequence of pre-signing or back-dating is a rejection notice and a wasted filing fee, because USCIS treats stale signatures as invalid.
You should also keep a copy of every page you submit, plus your fee receipt and tracking number. The USCIS Tips on Filing Forms by Mail page explains why this matters. A real example: David, a TN consultant from Canada, mailed his I-102 without copying the signed form, and when USCIS asked him to refile he had to recreate the entire packet from memory.
Part 1 — Information About You
Part 1 collects your full legal name, any other names you have used, your date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) if you have one, your USCIS Online Account Number if you have one, your gender, your U.S. mailing address, and your physical address if it differs. The names must match exactly what appears on your passport biographic page, because USCIS cross-checks against CBP entry records. The consequence of a mismatch is a Request for Evidence that delays the case by months.
You also enter your most recent date of arrival, port of entry, and class of admission. If you do not remember the port, you can pull your travel history from i94.cbp.dhs.gov. A common misconception is that you can guess at the date or port; do not do that, because USCIS will simply look at the CBP record and reject your filing if it does not match. A short example: Lena, a B-2 visitor from Germany, wrote “JFK” on her form when she actually entered through Newark, and her case sat in limbo for two months.
Part 2 — Application Type
Part 2 is the heart of the form. You check exactly one of three boxes: replacement of a lost/stolen/destroyed I-94, replacement of a lost/stolen/destroyed I-94W, or correction of an I-94 due to CBP error. If you check the correction box, you must also describe the error in detail and attach evidence such as your visa, passport stamp, and a copy of the wrong I-94. The consequence of leaving the description blank is automatic denial of the correction request.
A practical scenario: Hiroshi, an L-1 manager from Japan, checked the correction box because his class of admission was typed as “L-2” instead of “L-1.” He attached his approval notice Form I-797, his visa stamp page, and the incorrect I-94 printout. USCIS issued the corrected record in about eight weeks. A common misconception is that you can use Form I-102 to extend your stay; you cannot, and you must instead file Form I-539 for that purpose.
Part 3 — Processing Information
Part 3 asks where you want USCIS to mail the replacement record and whether you plan to leave the United States soon. If you plan to depart before the replacement arrives, you should say so, because in some cases USCIS can coordinate with CBP to flag your file. The consequence of staying silent is that your record may not be ready when you need to re-enter, which can cause a secondary inspection at the port of entry.
This part also asks for your current nonimmigrant status, the date your authorized stay expires, and the school or employer that sponsors you, when applicable. You must list the SEVIS ID for F, M, or J students. A real-world example: Sofia, an F-1 student from Argentina, forgot to list her SEVIS ID and received an RFE asking for her Form I-20 within 87 days; she nearly missed the deadline because the notice arrived late at her old address.
Part 4 — Applicant’s Statement, Contact, and Signature
Part 4 is the signature block. You confirm under penalty of perjury that everything you wrote is true. You also pick whether you read English fluently or used an interpreter, and whether someone else prepared the form for you. The consequence of a false statement here is criminal liability under 18 U.S.C. §1546, which can carry fines and imprisonment.
A common misconception is that a typed signature is acceptable; it is not for paper filings, and USCIS rejects forms with /s/ or typed names in the signature field. You must sign in black ink. Mini-scenario: Omar, an O-1 artist from Egypt, typed his name in cursive font and his entire packet was returned, costing him three weeks.
Part 5 — Interpreter’s Contact and Signature
If an interpreter helped you understand the form, that person fills out Part 5. The interpreter lists their name, the language they used, their address, and their signature. The consequence of using an interpreter and leaving Part 5 blank is rejection of the form, because USCIS cannot verify that you understood what you signed.
The interpreter does not need to be a certified translator, but they must be fluent in both English and your language. A short example: Mei-Ling, a B-2 visitor from Taiwan, had her cousin interpret the form, and her cousin signed Part 5 with full contact details so the package sailed through intake.
Part 6 — Preparer’s Contact, Declaration, and Signature
Part 6 is for someone who prepared the form on your behalf, such as an attorney, an accredited representative from the Department of Justice EOIR Recognition list, or a friend. If an attorney prepares the form, they should also file Form G-28 so USCIS communicates with them directly. The consequence of skipping the G-28 is that all notices go to your home address, even if your attorney is handling the case.
Friends and family who help can sign Part 6, but they take on a duty of accuracy. A common misconception is that a “preparer” must be a lawyer; they do not, but unauthorized practice of immigration law is a crime in many states, including under California Business and Professions Code §22440, so the preparer should not give legal advice.
Part 7 — Additional Information
Part 7 gives you extra space to explain anything that did not fit in earlier sections. Use it to expand on a correction request, list multiple prior entries, or explain a complex travel history. The consequence of cramming details into the margins of earlier pages is that the scanner at the USCIS Lockbox may miss the writing entirely.
Always reference the page number, part number, and item number you are expanding on. A real example: Jonas, a Q-1 cultural exchange visitor from Finland, used Part 7 to list all five of his short trips to Mexico during his stay, which made it easy for USCIS to reconcile his record with CBP data.
Filing Fee, Payment Methods, and Fee Waivers
The current paper-filing fee for Form I-102 is $560, and the online-filing fee is $510, both set under the 2024 USCIS fee rule that took effect on April 1, 2024. The fee is non-refundable, even if USCIS denies your case. The consequence of sending the wrong amount is automatic rejection of the entire packet, with the form returned unfiled.
You can pay by personal check, cashier’s check, or money order made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” You can also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, which authorizes USCIS to charge a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card. A common misconception is that you can pay in cash; you cannot, and cash sent through the mail is treated as a defective filing.
Fee waivers are not generally available for Form I-102, because the form is not on the Form I-912 fee waiver eligibility list. However, if your replacement is needed because CBP made the original error, you can request that USCIS waive the fee under 8 CFR §103.7(c). A practical example: Rafael, a B-1 traveler from Spain, asked CBP to fix the record at a deferred inspection site instead of paying the USCIS fee, and CBP corrected it for free.
Filing Online vs. Filing by Mail
USCIS now allows online filing of Form I-102 through a myUSCIS account, and the online fee is $50 lower than the paper fee. Online filing also gives you instant receipt notices, electronic case status, and the ability to upload evidence directly. The consequence of choosing paper when online is available is that you pay more and wait longer for confirmation.
That said, paper filing is still required if your case has unusual evidence, if you need to attach a Form G-28 for an attorney who is not yet linked to your account, or if you cannot create a USCIS online account. A common misconception is that online filing skips background checks; it does not, and the same vetting applies. A real-world example: Yuki, an E-2 investor from Japan, filed online and received her replacement I-94 in seven weeks, while her colleague who filed by mail waited eleven weeks.
Where to Mail Paper Filings
Paper filings go to one of two USCIS Lockbox facilities, and the correct address depends on the state where you live. The current addresses are listed on the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-102 page, which USCIS updates periodically. The consequence of mailing to the wrong address is that the package may be forwarded but with a delay of several weeks, or it may be returned outright.
Always use a trackable courier such as USPS Priority Mail with tracking, FedEx, or UPS so you have proof of delivery. A short example: Anika, an H-4 dependent from Bangladesh, mailed her form by regular First-Class Mail and never received a receipt notice, so she had to refile from scratch and pay the fee twice.
Three Common Filing Scenarios
Below are three of the most common Form I-102 scenarios, drawn from publicly available USCIS adjudicator guidance and practitioner accounts on the American Immigration Lawyers Association member network. Each shows the action you take and the outcome you can expect. The consequence of skipping any step in these scenarios is usually a Request for Evidence or a flat denial.
Scenario 1 — Lost I-94 After a Land Border Entry
| Action You Take | Outcome You Can Expect |
|---|---|
| File Form I-102 with the $560 fee and copies of your visa and passport | USCIS issues a replacement I-94 in 4 to 12 months |
| Skip the form and try to get a duplicate at the airport on departure | CBP may refuse and you may be flagged as overstaying |
| Visit a CBP deferred inspection site near you | CBP can sometimes issue a replacement for free |
Scenario 2 — Wrong Class of Admission on I-94
| Action You Take | Outcome You Can Expect |
|---|---|
| File Form I-102 marked as a correction with full evidence | USCIS issues a corrected record in 8 to 16 weeks |
| Ignore the error and rely on the visa stamp | Employers running E-Verify may reject the I-9 |
| Request a CBP correction at a deferred inspection office | CBP can fix typos quickly and at no cost |
Scenario 3 — Wrong Admit-Until Date on I-94
| Action You Take | Outcome You Can Expect |
|---|---|
| File Form I-102 as a correction with the visa and approval notice | USCIS issues a fixed I-94 reflecting the correct date |
| Stay past the wrong date assuming the system will catch up | You accrue unlawful presence under INA §212(a)(9)(B) |
| File Form I-539 to extend instead of correcting | USCIS may deny because you do not need an extension |
Mistakes to Avoid
Form I-102 is short, but it is unforgiving. The list below pulls together the most common errors that cause rejections, denials, or long delays at the USCIS Potomac Service Center. Each mistake has a direct consequence that you can avoid with a little care.
- Using an outdated form edition, which causes immediate rejection at intake
- Writing the wrong port of entry, which triggers a CBP cross-check failure
- Listing a class of admission that does not match the visa, which triggers an RFE
- Forgetting to sign in black ink, which causes the entire packet to be returned
- Sending cash instead of a check, money order, or Form G-1450
- Filing while outside the United States, which is grounds for denial
- Skipping Part 5 after using an interpreter, which voids the signature
- Using the form to extend status instead of filing Form I-539
- Forgetting to include the SEVIS ID for F, M, or J students
- Mailing to the wrong USCIS Lockbox address listed on the filing address page
- Failing to attach a copy of the visa, passport, and any prior I-94
- Pre-signing the form weeks before mailing, which makes the signature stale
Do’s and Don’ts
The do’s and don’ts below pull from the official Form I-102 instructions and from the USCIS Policy Manual. Each item has a “why” so you understand the reasoning, not just the rule.
- Do download the latest form edition every time, because USCIS rejects old editions on sight
- Do check your travel history at i94.cbp.dhs.gov before writing any dates
- Do keep a complete copy of the package, because lost mailings happen
- Do mail with tracking, because proof of delivery protects you
-
Do answer every question, because blank fields trigger RFEs
-
Don’t sign the form weeks before mailing, because stale signatures void the filing
- Don’t guess at your A-Number, because a wrong A-Number sends your file to the wrong person
- Don’t use Form I-102 to extend status, because the right form is Form I-539
- Don’t mail cash, because USCIS will treat the package as defective
- Don’t ignore an RFE, because USCIS denies cases that miss the response deadline
Pros and Cons of Filing Form I-102
There are real upsides and downsides to filing Form I-102 instead of using a CBP deferred inspection site or an automated I-94 reprint. The points below help you weigh both. The consequence of choosing the wrong path is paying a fee you didn’t need to pay, or waiting months when you could have been done in days.
Pros
- Creates an official USCIS replacement record that employers and schools accept
- Allows correction of class of admission, dates, and biographic data
- Can be filed online for a $50 lower fee than paper
- Works even when CBP records cannot be retrieved automatically
- Provides a paper trail that protects your immigration history
Cons
- Costs $560 by paper or $510 online, with no fee waiver in most cases
- Processing can take 4 to 12 months with no premium option
- Cannot be filed from outside the United States
- Does not extend or change your status, only the record of admission
- Requires precise data that must match CBP records exactly
Key Entities You Should Know
A handful of agencies, forms, and laws drive the Form I-102 process, and understanding how they connect makes the form much easier to file. The consequence of misunderstanding any one of these is filing the wrong form, paying the wrong fee, or sending paperwork to the wrong agency. A common misconception is that USCIS and CBP are the same; they are not, and they have separate jurisdictions under the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
- USCIS — adjudicates Form I-102 and issues the replacement record
- CBP — issues the original I-94 at the port of entry
- SEVIS — tracks F, M, and J students and exchange visitors
- DOS — issues the visa stamp in your passport
- E-Verify — checks employment eligibility against the I-94 record
Recap of Relevant Rulings and Guidance
While Form I-102 itself rarely produces published court decisions, several precedents and policy memos shape how the form is adjudicated. In Matter of Quilantan, 25 I&N Dec. 285 (BIA 2010), the Board of Immigration Appeals confirmed that a procedurally regular admission creates a record even without an I-94 card, which supports the use of Form I-102 to recreate that record. The consequence of this ruling is that you can still file Form I-102 even if your original entry document was never in your possession.
USCIS also follows guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part A on nonimmigrant admission, which directs adjudicators to coordinate with CBP when the underlying admission record is in dispute. A real-world example: Chen, a B-2 visitor from China, had no paper I-94 because she entered by air after 2013, and USCIS still processed her Form I-102 by pulling her record from the CBP electronic I-94 system.
After You File: What Happens Next
Once USCIS receives your Form I-102, you receive a Form I-797C Notice of Action receipt, usually within 2 to 4 weeks for paper filings and within hours for online filings. The receipt has a 13-character case number starting with three letters such as MSC, EAC, or WAC, and you use that number to track your case at egov.uscis.gov. The consequence of losing the receipt is that you have no easy way to check status, although you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283.
If USCIS needs more information, it sends a Request for Evidence with a deadline that is usually 87 days. The consequence of missing that deadline is denial of the case and forfeiture of the fee. A common misconception is that you can ignore the RFE and re-file; you can, but you lose the original fee and start the wait all over again. A practical example: Elena, an F-1 student from Russia, responded to her RFE on day 86 by FedEx overnight and her replacement I-94 arrived three weeks later.
FAQs
Is Form I-102 the same as Form I-94?
No. Form I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record itself, issued by CBP at the port of entry. Form I-102 is the USCIS application you file to replace or correct that record after admission.
Can I file Form I-102 from outside the United States?
No. USCIS only accepts Form I-102 from nonimmigrants who are physically present inside the United States, because the form is for in-country replacement of a record of admission.
Do I need Form I-102 if I lost a paper I-94 from before 2013?
Yes. Older paper I-94s are not in the CBP automated system, so you must file Form I-102 with USCIS to obtain an official replacement record.
Can Form I-102 extend my authorized stay?
No. Form I-102 only replaces or corrects the record of admission, it does not change your status or extend your stay; you must file Form I-539 for that.
Is there a fee waiver for Form I-102?
No. Form I-102 is not on the Form I-912 eligibility list, so most filers must pay the full $560 paper fee or $510 online fee.
Can I file Form I-102 online?
Yes. USCIS allows online filing through a myUSCIS account, and the online fee is $50 lower than the paper fee with faster receipt confirmation.
Will USCIS expedite my Form I-102?
Yes. USCIS may expedite under the criteria on the Expedite Requests page, but only for severe financial loss, humanitarian reasons, or U.S. government interests.
Do I need an attorney to file Form I-102?
No. Most filers complete Form I-102 on their own, but an attorney can help if your case involves a status problem, a prior overstay, or a complex correction request involving CBP records.
Can I travel internationally while Form I-102 is pending?
Yes. You can travel, but you should carry your visa, passport, and any prior I-94 because CBP issues a fresh I-94 on each new entry, and your pending case does not block re-entry.
What if CBP made the error on my original I-94?
Yes. You can ask CBP to fix it for free at a deferred inspection site before paying USCIS, which is faster and cheaper for typos and class-of-admission errors.
How long does Form I-102 take to process?
Yes. Processing typically runs 4 to 12 months, and you can check the latest times for your service center on the USCIS Case Processing Times tool before you file.
Do I get my passport stamp back with the replacement?
No. USCIS issues a replacement I-94 only, not a new passport stamp; if you also need a new visa stamp, you must apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-131A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-193 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-539 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-539A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-914 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-918 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-821 (w/Examples) + FAQs