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Form I-94 arrival-departure record for U.S. visitors

Forms I-94 and I-94W (for nonimmigrants with a visa waiver) record the arrival and departure dates of people visiting the U.S.

Who needs an I-94 form?

Everyone entering the U.S. needs an I-94 or I-94W form except:

• American citizens
• Returning resident aliens
• Non-U.S. citizens with immigrant visas
• Most Canadian citizens who are visiting or in transit

How to apply for or see your current Form I-94

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) typically issues Form I-94 electronically. 

• If you are traveling by air or sea, a Customs and Border Protection officer will issue you an electronic I-94 at your point of entry during the admission process. 
• If you are traveling by land, you can apply for an I-94 in person at your point of entry. Or you can apply within 7 days before entering the U.S. through the official I-94 website or the CBP One app . When you do so, you will pay a $6 fee. 

With the CBP One app or I-94 website, you can also:

• See your most recent I-94 form and print it, in case you need your record of legal admission to the U.S. The CBP One app also allows you to have a digital version of your I-94 on your phone.
• Get a history of your arrivals and departures from the U.S. for the last 10 years
• Find out how long you are legally allowed to stay in the US
• Read frequently asked questions about the I-94

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sends visitors email reminders about their remaining time in the U.S. In addition, it sends notifications to travelers who may have exceeded their admission period.

Departing the U.S. with Form I-94

In most cases, your departure from the U.S. will be recorded electronically, whether you are traveling by air, land, or sea.

Unusual I-94 departure situations

• If your Form I-94 was issued to you on paper, you must give it to the airline or a CBP officer when you depart the U.S. 
• Entry stamps in your passport
• Transportation tickets
• Other receipts

I-94W for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program through ESTA

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries must have an approved and current authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to apply for their I-94W in advance. You can apply through the official I-94 website or the CBP One app .

LAST UPDATED: May 24, 2024

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Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, Information for Completing USCIS Forms

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record , to aliens who are:

• Admitted to the U.S.;
• Adjusting status while in the U.S.; or
• Extending their stay. 

All persons need a Form I-94 except U.S. citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. Air and sea travelers will be issued I-94s during the admission process at the port of entry .

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer attaches Form I-94 to the nonimmigrant visitor’s passport upon entry to the U.S. The visitor must exit the U.S. on or before the departure date stamped on the Form I-94. This is the “Admit Until Date” on the electronic Form I-94. The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number or Admission Record Number.

As of April 30, 2013, most Arrival and/or Departure records are created electronically upon arrival.

Visit CBP’s I-94, Travel Records for U.S. Visitors website to:

• Apply for a new I-94 (land border travelers only) ;
• Get your most recent I-94 ;
• View travel history ; or
• See how much longer you can remain in the U.S. based on the terms of your admission .

If you cannot get your Form I-94 from the CBP website, you may file Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record , with USCIS.

Related Links

• Applying for Admission into United States
• Arrival/Departure Forms: I-94 and I-94W
• I-94 Fact Sheet (PDF)
• I-94 Expiration Dates (PDF)

Immigration help for your business

• News & Reports

Form I-94, Explained

How the i-94 arrival/departure record keeps track of your travel history — and why it matters, in this guide.

• What is the Form I-94?
• Easy. Online. Immigration.
• Who Needs an I-94 Form?
• How Do I Get an I-94 Card?
• Understanding the I-94 travel history
• I-94 arrival-departure record number
• How Much Does the I-94 Form Cost?
• Form I-94 FAQs
• Related Information

Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record Card) is a crucial document U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues to track people entering and exiting the United States.  Here’s why it’s important:

• It serves as proof that you entered the country legally as a non-citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• It specifies the date by which you must depart the U.S. This is especially important for non-immigrants, such as students or scholars, whose stay is limited to a specific period.
• The I-94 document also indicates the authorized duration of your stay in the U.S., which can be helpful for employers who are verifying your employment eligibility.

Historically, the I-94 was a small white paper card that visitors surrendered upon leaving the country. Currently, most visitors arriving by air or sea have electronic I-94 records . If you arrive by land, you may still receive a paper version. In this article, we’ll explain how it works.

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Here’s a breakdown of who needs an I-94 form:

• Most people traveling to the U.S. who aren’t citizens:  This includes tourists, students, temporary workers, exchange visitors, etc
• Individuals who are adjusting their status while in the U.S.
• Individuals planning to extend their current non-immigrant stay in the U.S.
• Non-citizens returning to the U.S.

You do not need an I-94 travel record if you are:

• A U.S. Citizen
• A Lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
• An individual with an immigrant visa
• A Canadian citizen visiting or in transit
• Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP); they get an I-94W instead, which is usually processed online

Most people entering the United States who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents get an I-94 travel record form automatically issued to them upon arrival.

Exceptions are made for those entering on the Visa Waiver Program or Compact of Free Association , using Border Crossing Cards , re-entering using automatic visa revalidation (a system used by some visa-holders who briefly visit Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean), or entering temporarily as part of an airline flight crew.

Immigration Glossary

• Visa Waiver Program:  A program that lets citizens of certain countries visit the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without needing a traditional visa.
• Border Crossing Cards:  These cards function like visas for some Mexican citizens, allowing them to visit the U.S. for short periods.
• Automatic Visa Revalidation:  A special rule that lets people with certain visas make quick trips to Canada, Mexico, or some Caribbean islands without needing a new visa to re-enter the U.S.

IMPORTANT: Some people who aren’t required to have an I-94 travel record must instead fill out Form I-94W (for visitors using visa waivers) or Form I-95 (for flight crew members). These forms have a similar purpose to a regular I-94. Upon arrival, check with the CBP Officer if you think this might apply to you.

The U.S. immigration system can seem complicated, but Boundless can guide you through the whole process from start to finish. Get started today!

How you get an I-94, depends on how you enter the U.S. If you enter by land, you’ll receive a paper I-94 card. If you enter by sea or air, you won’t receive a paper I-94 but will instead receive an electronic I-94 record.

Arriving by air or sea

Most visitors entering the U.S. by air or sea will have an electronic I-94 record automatically created for them when they go through customs. When you arrive in the United States, you’ll show your passport and visa to a CBP agent, who will enter your information into an electronic tracking system . They will then stamp your passport, to show you entered the U.S. lawfully.

You’ll probably receive printed instructions about how to access your electronic I-94, but using the CBP’s online system , you can easily view your travel record and download or print a copy for your records.

Arriving by land

If you arrive at a land border crossing, you’ll likely receive a small, white paper I-94 card. A CBP officer will fill it out and usually staple it into your passport. To save time at the border, you can apply for an I-94 before you come to the U.S. through CBP’s online system . Note, there is a $6 fee for this.

Whether electronic or paper, be sure to keep your I-94 safe. You will need to hand in the paper version when leaving the U.S., so the U.S. government can track your departure and know that you left the country before your visa expired. Also, you may need this form for things like applying for a driver’s license, getting a job, or changing your immigration status.

I-94 travel history is essentially a log of your past entries and exits when coming and going from the U.S. It’s tracked through your I-94 records. It includes details around the dates you arrived and departed from the U.S., the ports of entry and exit, your class of admission (e.g., your reason for visiting) such as tourism, student visa, etc. It also includes how long you were authorized to stay on each visit.

Both your stamped passport and your electronic or paper I-94 record will show your “ Admit Until Date ,” which shows how long you are allowed to remain in the United States. The CBP agent who stamps your passport may simply write “ Duration of Status ” or “D/S,” which indicates that you’re allowed to remain in the United States as long as your current visa remains valid.

Why it’s important

Your I-94 travel history can be important for several reasons:

• It shows that you have entered the country legally in the past.
• If you’re applying to change or adjust your immigration status, you may need to provide your I-94 travel history as supporting documentation.
• If there are any errors or issues with your immigration record, the travel history can help clarify them.

Where to find your I-94 travel history

You can access your I-94 travel history on the CBP website . You’ll usually see your last 5 years of travel history, but you can request a full history if needed.

If you extend your stay or adjust your status after arriving in the United States — such as by gaining a green card — then U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue a new I-94 or other documentation to reflect your new situation. In such cases, the new documentation will be your primary way of showing your lawful status.

Once CBP approves your lawful entry and issues the I-94 form, a unique code will be assigned to your record. This number is linked to a specific entrance and reason for visiting the United States, so you’ll receive a different I-94 number each time you arrive in the country. The number, which you can find on your paper I-94 card or on your electronic record, may sometimes be required by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or your employer may need it for their records.

If you need to replace a Form I-94, you can do it on the CBP website or by calling CBP at 1-877-CBP-5511 (1-877-227-5511) Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. 

Until May 2019, I-94 numbers were an 11-digit string of numbers. Now, though, CBP has switched to using an 11-character alphanumeric code — a mix of numbers and letters. You won’t need to worry about this, since unexpired I-94 forms based on the old numeric system will remain valid until their “Admit Until Date” has passed.

There is no fee for the I-94 form. That’s true whether you’re arriving by land, air, or sea, and regardless of whether you get a paper or electronic record.

If you’re arriving at a land border port of entry, you can optionally apply online for a provisional I-94 one week or less before your arrival date. Applying for a provisional I-94 costs $6, but can streamline the arrival process and minimize the time you spend waiting in line at the border.

Obtaining a copy of your I-94 travel record is also free if you entered the United States after April 2013. For earlier records, you can request a copy by submitting Form I-102 (officially called the “Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document”) and paying a $560 filing fee.

While an I-94 travel record is free, immigrating can be expensive. Learn the costs for common USCIS forms and fees here.

It’s easy to access your I-94 form using CBP’s online portal . You’ll need to make sure you enter your information — such as your name and passport details — correctly in order to log on.

If you can’t find your I-94 travel record using the online system, check here for official guidance on how to make sure you’re entering your information correctly, and to get further assistance if necessary.

If there’s an error in your I-94 travel record, you’ll need to contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to make the correction. You can schedule an in-person interview at a local USCIS office, or call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for more information.

Note that if the error was made when you first entered the United States, you’ll need to visit a local CBP deferred inspection site or port of entry to have it changed.

Keep calm! It’s normally an easy fix. Since most I-94 records are now kept electronically, you’ll usually be able to download a copy of your travel record from the CBP website at no charge.

In some cases, such as if you entered the United States prior to April 2013, the process can be more complicated and expensive. You can learn more about your options in the Boundless guide to getting a copy of your I-94 .

It’s worth keeping a hard copy of your I-94 travel record in a safe place. To download or print out a copy of your I-94 card, simply log onto the CBP’s I-94 website and follow the on-screen instructions.

Electronic travel records are convenient in most cases, but things can get complicated if you receive an electronic record after arriving in the United States by sea or by air, but then leave the country at a land border crossing. At land borders, departures are still primarily tracked using paper I-94 travel records, so if you have an electronic record your departure may not be automatically recorded.

In such cases, you’ll want to make sure you have another way to prove that you left the country before your visa expired. One option is to request an entrance stamp in your passport from the Canadian or Mexican authorities. You can also keep transport tickets, receipts, or pay stubs to show that you left the United States before your visa expired.

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Travel History: Your Complete Guide To Form I-94

Why is an i-94 important.

The new I-94 form is important for people who need an accurate record of when they enter and leave the United States by air or sea. Immigration agencies may use your I-94 information to make a determination about your standing in the United States and your eligibility for certain types of visas. Here’s what you need to know about your I-94, travel history, and how to check your information. 

What Is Form I-94?

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is issued by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep track of non-citizens’ arrivals and departures. The purpose of Form I-94 is to keep a record of documented entry and ensure timely departure. It helps immigration authorities maintain a record of potential immigrants’ and non-immigrants’ compliance with visa laws and the verification of immigration status.

Form I-94 acts as a supporting document for most immigrant and non-immigrant visa purposes. It shows that you have a history of abiding by the law with arrival and departure dates from United States ports of entry. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding Form I-94.

Who Needs Form I-94?

People who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (i.e. green card holders) will be issued Form I-94 (or an equivalent) automatically upon entering the country. Form I-94 is an important tool that immigration institutions use to track data and ensure all travel in and out of the United States is documented. Automation makes the process quick, easy, and efficient for everyone involved.

Every non-immigrant who travels to the United States will automatically receive Form I-94. The Form I-94 provides information about entry as well as the date you must depart the United States by. The Form I-94 is often used when U.S. immigration officials make decisions on applications to change, extend, or adjust status and is used as supporting evidence to prove good standing and immigration compliance. 

You will need to present your I-94 information while you’re going through the process of obtaining a green card. If you eventually decide to obtain U.S. citizenship , you won’t need travel documents anymore. You’re free to come and go as you please in accordance with the travel and visa laws of your destination countries. You only need to present your valid U.S. driver’s license or passport as proof of citizenship and travel eligibility. 

How Do You Get an I-94 Travel Record?

There are two ways to start or update an I-94 travel record. The process will be automatic for most visitors. Many people don’t even realize that United States immigration services have created and maintained the form on their behalf. If you arrive at the United States border by land transportation, the process is slightly different.

Paper I-94 Documents

Paper I-94 cards are only issued to non-citizens who arrive in the United States by land. This is most common for foreign visitors from Mexico or Canada.

If you enter the United States through a land border port of entry at the Mexican or Canadian border, you’ll be issued an I-94 card that will be attached to your passport. Border officers will give you an admission stamp on your passport. When you leave the country, you’ll show the border officer your passport with the card attached. They will manually verify your departure with your paper form.

Electronic I-94 Documents

Most people enter the United States by air. Comparatively, few non-citizens cross into the United States at a physical point of entry at the Canadian or Mexican border. If you’re arriving by plane, I-94 issuance is automatic. The United States takes care of it for you, and you’ll get a physical stamp on your passport to serve as proof that you entered the country with documentation. 

If you ever need to access your electronic I-94 travel record, you can view it through U.S. CBP online . Their online system will allow you to view your travel history and print a physical copy of your most recent I-94 if you need to present them at a meeting with immigration officials or bring them with you to a port of entry. Immigration officials will also have access to your electronic travel record.

You can also view your travel history through U.S. CBP online . This can be helpful if you are completing a petition or application that requires information about prior trips to the U.S. CBP’s website provides information about entries and departures including the date and location. 

How Much Does Form I-94 Cost?

Most forms and petitions filed with U.S. immigration institutions require some kind of filing fee. Form I-94 does not. It’s created for free automatically when you travel to the United States. The form is part of immigration’s normal bookkeeping process, and it’s a document they use for their own reference. You generally shouldn’t have to pay for an I-94 card or electronic form.

The only exception to the free cost is when you apply for a provisional I-94 online. A provisional I-94 costs $6 USD. A provisional I-94 can reduce your wait time at a U.S. land border inspection site. Wait times at the border can be lengthy, and anything you can do to simplify the process may help you get through quicker. If you already have an I-94 when you arrive, you don’t need to wait for one to be created for you.

What Is an I-94 Number?

When you’re communicating with immigration agencies, they’ll ask you for a lot of numbers. Cases are assigned numbers, and immigrants are assigned alien registration numbers. If someone asks you for your I-94 number, it’s a little more complicated to find what you need.

Each I-94 number will be a combination of 11 numbers and letters. You don’t have a single I-94 number. You’re given a number for every arrival in the United States. If you need to prove I-94 numbers for official documents or requests, you’ll likely need to provide each individual number for your arrivals. 

What Happens If You Arrive and Depart in Different Ways?

Electronic I-94 records are for arrivals by air, and paper I-94 records are for arrivals by land. So, what happens if you arrive by plane and leave by land, or vice versa? If you arrived by air and are leaving by land, you need to find a different way to prove that you left the country before your “admit until date.” 

The easiest way to obtain alternative proof of your departure is to ask Canadian or Mexican border authorities for a passport stamp when you arrive. This passport stamp serves as proof that you left the country on time by demonstrating that you were in a different country before the expiration of your visa. 

What Happens If You Lose Your I-94 Information?

If your I-94 is electronic, you can’t lose it. Border officers will create a digital version of your paper I-94 card for their records and store a copy of the information on your behalf.

Immigration agencies will always have your official I-94 record, even if you don’t have access to it. You can view your information by going to the CBP website  and providing information about yourself and passport. You shouldn’t need to have a printed physical copy of your electronic information unless an employer or an agency has specifically asked you to provide one.

For older and paper I-94s, you can request a replacement by filing Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document with USCIS. 

What Happens If Your I-94 Travel History Contains Errors?

If you find an error on your I-94 travel history, such as an incorrect arrival or departure date, you need to contact CBP to have the error fixed. Documentation like passport stamps or proof that you boarded a flight can be used to verify or correct your arrival/departure record. CBP won’t charge you a fee to correct your I-94 record if they’re responsible for the error. 

What Happens If Your Arrival or Departure Isn’t Listed on Your Form?

USCIS, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) require every visitor to the United States to enter the country with proper documentation. If you don’t have listed arrival or departure dates for your visits to the United States, you may have trouble re-entering the United States or changing your immigration status. 

You can be removed from the United States and banned from re-entering for a period of several years. Future attempts to obtain a visa may be significantly more difficult. You’ll need the help of an experienced immigration attorney if you’d like to return to the United States after an undocumented arrival. 

Do You Need Help With Your Travel History or Immigration Forms?

If you intend to come to the United States as a visitor or an immigrant, it’s important to have a valid I-94 travel record. If there are issues with your travel record or if you arrived in the United States without passing through an official port of entry, you’ll encounter obstacles returning to the United States or changing your immigration status. 

The thorough immigration legal team at Cohen, Tucker + Ades can help. Contact us for a consultation on your case. We’ll be able to advise you of the best path forward for your situation.

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On January 19, 2024 by Kristina Valcheva 0 comments

U.s. entry and exit dates – how to check your travel history.

(Last updated: 19 Jan, 2024)

In order to prepare your US tax documents, you will need to know the exact dates on which you traveled in or out of the US.

However, if you don’t know your travel history and you need to double-check the exact entry and exit dates, the good news is that you can easily do this online.

The US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) keeps a record of all nonresidents who travel to the country over the past 5 years.

These documents also include the reason for their travel and the dates of their previous visits to the US.

In this post, we will discuss how to track all your travel history paperwork.

When do I need my US travel history?

Applications for a visa, or Green card, as well as filing a 1040NR tax return require that you know precisely when you entered and exited the US.

If the information is not accurate, this could cause rejection or delays in visa applications, or other challenges when you file your tax return.

Also, every non-American citizen who performs the “substantial presence test” may be classified as “resident” for tax purposes if they don’t know the exact days of arrival and departure.

The correct determination of residency is a very important issue for every international student in the US. This impacts both the tax you have to pay and the documents you need when you file a tax return.

Now, you can easily track your entry and exit dates in the US on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website.

You can easily determine your US tax residency status for free by using Sprintax.

Get started here

What is Form I-94?

Form I-94 Arrival/ Departure record is an electronic or paper document that is issued by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to foreign nationals who enter the US.

Since most people who enter the US are not US lawful permanent residents, Form I-94 is given to them upon arrival.

It’s important to know that you need it when you are leaving the US, as this is how the government keeps track of your departure date, and knows that you did not stay in the US beyond the period permitted by your visa.

What to do if my I-94 is inaccurate?

You will need to contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as soon as possible to make the relevant change in the information.

You can call 1-800-375-5283 for additional information.

What to do if my l-94 is lost/stolen?

This is usually easy to fix, but you will need to report the missing document to the local police station.

You must also contact USCIS (1-800-375-5283) and apply for a replacement. In most cases, you should be able to download a copy of your travel record from the CBP website at no charge.

What information do I need to access my US travel history?

To access your US travel history online, you will need:

• Your first and last name
• Passport number
• Date of birth
• Country of citizenship

When you have this information, you can start with your US travel history check.

How do I get entry and exit dates in the US?

1. Go to US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) homepage . 2. Click on “Need history of your travel and departures” 3. Click on Consent & Continue when the Security page pops up 4. Then enter your personal information, such as name, date of birth, and passport number. 5. On the next page, you will be able to see your travel history and print it.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it necessary to enter all entries and exits to the us even prior to living in it i have been visiting the us ever since i was a baby and i don’t have all the passports and visas from that time.

Your residency status is determined by the complete history of all your visits to the US, including any visits as a student, trainee, tourist, and all other entries to the US from 1986 onwards.

If you don’t remember, or cannot locate the exact entry and exit dates to the US simply enter approximate ones.

Тhe i94.gov is not showing my visits. It says there are no results for the traveler information.

The i94 website will show all visits made with your current passport. If you changed your passport you will need your old passport number(s) to check all your visits.

If you don’t remember, or cannot locate the exact entry and exit dates to the US, simply enter approximate ones.

For the visit history on the residency page on Sprintax, should I include trips in and out of the country over winter break for example, even though I was on the same visa all the time?

Yes, you need to include all entry and exit dates to the US, even short ones, as they are used for counting your days of presence in the US and determining your residency status.

I’ve been to the US as a tourist before in 2012. Should I enter that as my record?

Yes, you need to include all entry and exit dates to the US, as they are used for counting your days of presence in the US and determining your residency status.

When doing my taxes through Sprintax, I was asked for my arrival and departure dates. How far back should you go with this information?

We would need you to provide all of your residency information, and all of your entry and exit dates in order to be able to correctly determine your tax residency.

How far back do the entry and exit dates need to go?

Your residency status is determined by the complete history of all your visits to the US including any visits as a student, trainee, tourist, and all other entries to the US from 1989 onwards.

When entering the history of all entries and exits to the US, how accurate does it have to be? I don’t know if I can remember the exact dates.

It’s OK if you don’t enter the exact entry and exit dates if you don’t remember them, however, you need to be as precise as possible.

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• Fact Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S.

Updated Date: April 21, 2022

Since January 22, 2022, DHS has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.  On April 21, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend these requirements. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place.

These requirements apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

Effective November 8, 2021, new air travel requirements applied to many noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily. These travelers are also required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All air travelers, including U.S. persons, must test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. Limited exceptions apply. See  CDC guidance  for more details regarding air travel requirements.

Below is more information about what to know before you go, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about cross-border travel.

Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal

Q. what are the requirements for travelers entering the united states through land poes.

A:  Before embarking on a trip to the United States, non-U.S. travelers should be prepared for the following:

• Possess proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the  CDC  website.
• During border inspection, verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status. 
• Bring a  Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  compliant border crossing document, such as a valid passport (and visa if required), Trusted Traveler Program card, a Department of State-issued Border Crossing Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Tribal Card when entering the country. Travelers (including U.S. citizens) should be prepared to present the WHTI-compliant document and any other documents requested by the CBP officer.

 Q. What are the requirements to enter the United States for children under the age of 18 who can't be vaccinated?

A:  Children under 18 years of age are excepted from the vaccination requirement at land and ferry POEs.

Q: Which vaccines/combination of vaccines will be accepted?

A:  Per CDC guidelines, all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized vaccines, as well as all vaccines that have an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO), will be accepted.

Accepted Vaccines:

• More details are available in CDC guidance  here .
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Q. Is the United States requiring travelers to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated for border entry purposes?

A:  No. The CDC guidance for “full vaccination” can be found here.

Q: Do U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land POEs and ferry terminals?

A:  No. Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation.

Q: Is pre- or at-arrival COVID testing required to enter the United States via land POEs or ferry terminals?

A: No, there is no COVID testing requirement to enter the United States via land POE or ferry terminals. In this respect, the requirement for entering by a land POE or ferry terminal differs from arrival via air, where there is a requirement to have a negative test result before departure.

Processing Changes Announced on January 22, 2022 

Q: new changes were recently announced. what changed on january 22.

A:  Since January 22, 2022, non-citizens who are not U.S. nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents have been required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States at land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or nonessential purposes. Previously, DHS required that non-U.S. persons be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States for nonessential purposes.  Effective January 22, all non-U.S. individuals, to include essential travelers, must be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request. DHS announced an extension of this policy on April 21, 2022.

Q: Who is affected by the changes announced on January 22?

A: This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. It applies to other noncitizens, such as a citizen of Mexico, Canada, or any other country seeking to enter the United States through a land port of entry or ferry terminal.

Q: Do U.S. citizens need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land port of entry or ferry terminals?

A: Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation. 

Q: What is essential travel?

A:  Under the prior policy, there was an exception from temporary travel restrictions for “essential travel.” Essential travel included travel to attend educational institutions, travel to work in the United States, travel for emergency response and public health purposes, and travel for lawful cross-border trade (e.g., commercial truckers). Under current policy, there is no exception for essential travel.

Q: Will there be any exemptions? 

A: While most non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States will need to be vaccinated, there is a narrow list of exemptions consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order in the air travel context.

• Certain categories of individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel as specified in the CDC Order
• Children under 18 years of age;
• Certain participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials as specified in the CDC Order;   
• Individuals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order;
• Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• Individuals with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 [business] or B-2 [tourism] visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, as specified in the CDC Order
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age) as specified in the CDC Order; and
• Individuals whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Q: What documentation will be required to show vaccination status?

A:  Non-U.S. individuals are required to be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request regardless of the purpose of travel.

The current documentation requirement remains the same and is available on the CDC website . Documentation requirements for entry at land ports of entry and ferry terminals mirror those for entry by air.

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have proof of vaccine status?

A: If non-U.S. individuals cannot present proof of vaccination upon request, they will not be admitted into the United States and will either be subject to removal or be allowed to withdraw their application for entry.

Q: Will incoming travelers be required to present COVID-19 test results?

A: There is no COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers at land border ports of entry, including ferry terminals.

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations? 

A: See CDC guidance for additional information on this topic. Note that the vaccine requirement does not apply to children under 18 years of age.

Q: Does this requirement apply to amateur and professional athletes?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions.

Q: Are commercial truckers required to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions. These requirements also apply to bus drivers as well as rail and ferry operators.

Q. Do you expect border wait times to increase?

A:  As travelers navigate these new travel requirements, wait times may increase. Travelers should account for the possibility of longer than normal wait times and lines at U.S. land border crossings when planning their trip and are kindly encouraged to exercise patience.

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of innovative technology, such as facial biometrics and the CBP OneTM mobile application, which serves as a single portal for individuals to access CBP mobile applications and services.

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry? 

A: CBP’s current staffing levels at ports of entry throughout the United States are commensurate with pre-pandemic levels. CBP has continued to hire and train new employees throughout the pandemic. CBP expects some travelers to be non-compliant with the proof of vaccination requirements, which may at times lead to an increase in border wait times. Although trade and travel facilitation remain a priority, we cannot compromise national security, which is our primary mission. CBP Office of Field Operations will continue to dedicate its finite resources to the processing of arriving traffic with emphasis on trade facilitation to ensure economic recovery.

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual?  

A:  The unvaccinated individual (if 18 or over) would not be eligible for admission.

Q: If I am traveling for an essential reason but am not vaccinated can I still enter?

A:  No, if you are a non-U.S. individual. The policy announced on January 22, 2022 applies to both essential and non-essential travel by non-U.S. individual travelers. Since January 22, DHS has required that all inbound non-U.S. individuals crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

A:  Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 or D nonimmigrant visa are not excepted from COVID-19 vaccine requirements at the land border. This is a difference from the international air transportation context.

Entering the U.S. via Air Travel

Q: what are the covid vaccination requirements for air passengers to the united states  .

A:  According to CDC requirements [www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html | Link no longer valid], most noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily must be fully vaccinated prior to boarding a flight to the United States. These travelers are required to show proof of vaccination. A list of covered individuals is available on the CDC website.  

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States?  

A:  Effective Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. ET, CDC will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers.

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ADIS/I-94 Arrivals Program

The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) manages the ADIS/I-94 visitor arrivals program in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The I-94 provides a count of visitor arrivals to the United States (with stays of 1-night or more and visiting under certain visa types) to calculate U.S. travel and tourism volume exports.

I-94s are processed to determine U.S. visitation from overseas (all modes) and Mexico air and sea travelers. To understand the magnitude of the filtering that is involved in processing I-94 raw data, in 2020 DHS/CBP provided NTTO with 547,047,790 ADIS/I-94 raw records of which only 8,684,990 records represented travel from overseas countries (all modes) and Mexico air and sea.    This program consists of three parts to report international arrivals to the United States: DHS/CBP ADIS/I-94 arrivals data, which non-U.S. citizens from overseas countries and Mexico (traveling by air and sea) must complete an I-94 record to enter the United States; Statistics Canada’s International Travel Survey; and Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía/INEGI (Banco de Mexico) monthly Mexican resident arrivals data. Mexican visitors to the United States within the 25-mile (40 kilometer) frontier zone are not included.

Program Details

How to Get Your USA Travel History Online (Arrivals and Departures)

Do you need to see your US Travel History for a visa application or just to check when you have arrived or departed? Well, you don’t need to look for your old passports and check each page one by one, you can search it online! It’s pretty simple, here’s a guide on How to Get Your US Travel History Online .

The US Customs and Border Protection has a website for visitors to request their travel history or I-94 form. You will only need a few details so that you can get the information online. Feel free to print it too!

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Information Required

• Complete Name
• Passport Number

STEP by STEP Guide in Getting your US Travel History Online

STEP 1: Go to this website .

STEP 2: Choose View Travel History option.

STEP 3: Enter the information required and click Next .

STEP 4: You may now view the results for your US travels for the last 5 years.

You can print your information.

You can also get your I-94 results to show your visitor status as well as the last day for your visit.

Please note:

• The information shown is only records of the last five years
• Land border arrivals or departures may not be reflected
• Closed-loop cruise arrival or departures may not be shown
• Change of status or extension of stay is not available
• If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you can’t get your travel history in this website

See? It’s very easy to retrieve your travel information in case you forgot when you arrived or departed in the US. Before, you need to request from Freedom of Information Act to see your travel records, now, just a few clicks, and you’ll get it! I hope you’ll know how to Get your US Travel History Online after reading this!​

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Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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• Application for Naturalization & U.S. Citizenship (Form N-400)

How do I find travel records for the N-400 application?

Home » How do I find travel records for the N-400 application?

April 20, 2021

Applicants preparing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization , must list each trip outside the United States (in excess of 24 hours). Part 9 of the N-400 application includes a table to list these individual trips.

Generally, you can find your travel history information inside your official passport. Simply review the passport page for date stamps from the various trips. But, in some cases, you may not have your passport or are missing known records.

Personal Travel Records

You may be able to use your personal records to reconstruct travel history. In the absence of “official records” it’s still your duty to estimate the dates of your travel to the best of your ability. Check with relatives you may have visited, review credit card statements, or try to recover old travel records from airline or transportation company frequently flyer statements.

Mistakes on your N-400 application can cause costly delays or a denial.

Foia request for travel records.

If you are unable to locate your travel history records through the methods listed above, you can submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Generally, personal FOIA requests are free (if less than 100 pages of photocopies). Be sure to limit your request to the previous five years. You only need five years of history for the purposes of the N-400 application. A more extensive search will take longer and may even result in a photocopy fee (up to $25). A FOIA request will generally take several weeks.

In some instances, you may have traveled across a U.S. border without any records. This can happen at some land border crossings where you were “waved” across by CBP officer. The CBP office did not provide any stamps or documentation. It’s still your responsibility to record these trips on Form N-400 to the best of your ability.

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Access to Information and Privacy Travel History Report

In this section.

A Travel History Report is a record of a traveller's entries, exits or both into Canada. This information is collected by the Canada Border Services Agency ( CBSA ).

Retention period for a Travel History Report is 15 years.

The CBSA began collecting traveller exit information on foreign nationals (excluding American citizens) entering the United States from Canada on June 30, 2013 . As of July 11, 2019 , the CBSA collects exit information on all travellers (including Canadian and American citizens) in the land mode and in the commercial air mode as of June 25, 2020 . Exit data may also be requested through the Travel History Report.

Highway Passage Reports may also be requested; however, they indicate only that a specific licence plate has been recorded, and do not show the people travelling in the vehicle.

Information collected for Travel History Reports

The records for both Entries and Exits include:

• date of birth
• citizenship
• date of entry
• location of the port of entry, and
• any document numbers associated with that travel, such as a passport number

When not to ask for a Travel History Report

When you request your Travel History Report directly from the CBSA it can take up to 30 days to complete. There are many reasons you may require your report, but sometimes requesting it directly is not the best option. When your travel history is needed as part of an application, such as the application for Canadian citizenship, check the form for the option to release your report. Using this option means that you will not have to request it yourself. When this option is available, requesting the report directly from the CBSA will cause a significant delay to your application process. Listed below are the three applications that do not require you to request your report directly from the CBSA .

Applying for Canadian Citizenship: Adults and Minors

If you are applying for Canadian Citizenship, you do not need to request your Traveller History Report from the CBSA. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can collect the report on your behalf when needed since consent to share information about the entry/exit information is no longer required.

Applying for Canadian Citizenship: Unaccompanied Minor

If you are applying for Canadian Citizenship you do not need to request your Traveller History Report from the CBSA . Checking "Yes" on page 6, Question 9 (b) of your application form permits Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ( IRCC ) to collect the report on your behalf.

Applying for a Permanent Resident card

If you are renewing or applying for a Permanent Resident Card you do not need to request your Traveller History Report from the CBSA . Checking "Yes" on page 3, (Section 7) Consent to Disclose Information allows IRCC to collect the report on your behalf.

Getting your Travel History report

If you have checked the When not to request your Travel History Report section and still need to request a copy, you can apply online by following the instructions on the Access to Information and Privacy online request page. Note that it may take up to 30 days to process your request.

If you are applying for yourself, you can do so under the Privacy Act, which is a free service provided by the Government of Canada.

If you are applying for someone else, you must provide form BSF745 - Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Representative completed by the party you are representing.

To get a highway passage report, provide the licence plate number and a copy of the vehicle's ownership. If you are not the owner, you will need to provide the CBSA with a BSF745 form completed by the owner of the vehicle.

When requesting your Travel History Report, you must indicate whether you are seeking your exit information, your entry information, or both. Exit information is limited and will only be included when specifically requested.

Trump trial diary: Staten Island reporter 'tags in' for history, lands seat behind defendant

M ay 28—[Editor's note: This is the first entry from the courtroom diary of reporter Luke Peteley, who will be present for summations and deliberations in the trial of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan Criminal Court.]

NEW YORK, N.Y. — "Something to tell the kids about one day."

"You're witnessing history."

The emphasis on the weight of this case has loomed over me for a week, since I found out I'd be replacing a vacationing colleague to cover summations and deliberations in the trial of Donald Trump.

Among an eclectic group of esteemed journalists at Manhattan Criminal Court, here was I, a 23-year-old breaking news reporter for the Advance/ SILive.com .

I must admit, heck of a time to tag in: At the crossroads of history.

And history it is, the former president of the U.S. standing trial in Manhattan Criminal Court. Certainly a note in the textbooks of tomorrow.

Like any other worker, I hopped an express bus into the city Tuesday morning, the sunshine kissing the statues of old that adorn the structural titans piercing the clear blue skies.

Navigating my way to the courthouse, I caught a glimpse of daily New York City life.

White collar office workers scampered about in the customary rat race. Coffee their substance of choice to keep the clock ticking.

Multiple individuals experiencing homelessness sought shelter in the nooks and crannies where they could rest unbothered, just a block from the site where all eyes were fixated.

Approaching the court, it was no secret that Trump was in town.

Law enforcement established barricades well away from the entrance to the courthouse. Security checkpoints monitored each passerby while additional officers directed traffic.

Across the street was a park. A stream of cameras lined the sidewalk, with lenses fixated on the talking heads rehearsing their lines for the morning broadcast.

Beside the park were a moshpit of reporters.

Yet, surprisingly, it was quiet — well, quiet for New York City. The hum of vehicles accompanied the song of birds in the morning melody. The park lay bare of protesters with the exception of one individual with a large sign urging reporters to Google the casualty count of children in Gaza.

Moments later, the mumble of the media was disrupted by a passing car playing a song with lyrics saying "F--- Biden."

I was one of the lucky ones, the ones with the duty of reporting what unfolds within the hallowed halls of the courthouse.

It was strange, in one moment you feel as though you're walking the red carpet with all those cameras aimed in your direction. The next, you're falling in line and filing in as though you're there for your own sentencing.

Once the reporters made their way through the first set of doors it was every journalist for themself; a massive rush to be the first to snag a seat. The elegant blazers can only serve as a guise for so long before the true nature of the "inside scoop" journalist shines through.

There were two checkpoints, metal detectors and eyes watching your every move.

An index card designating me as a journalist acted as my key to the world; think Willy Wonka's golden ticket.

I made it into the courtroom.

It was a stuffy room, bordered with old wood and filled with long benches, much like the pews at one of the Island's many Roman Catholic churches.

Journalists clambered to grab a seat, though I had no trouble getting a spot just a few rows behind the defense.

At the front of the room stood Justice Juan Merchan's chair, flanked by a U.S. flag and the New York State flag. The words "In God We Trust" cast in a copper metal of sorts hung overhead, keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.

About a half hour passed before the prosecution came in. District Attorney Alvin Bragg, sporting a stern look, found his seat.

That's when he walked in.

The former president led his entourage, including his sons, into the courtroom. Donning his signature red tie, Trump made his way down the aisle. All heads snapped to catch a read of the man.

For Trump, it was all business. The man with energy abundant at his rallies remained resolute in his expression. Silent, his eyes the only window into his inner thoughts, and even then, business.

"All Rise," a court officer's voice boomed.

The attendees shot up from their seats for Merchan, who took his place. Not long after, the jury was welcomed in.

Plainly judging by appearance, the jury was a mix of races, both women and men, young and old.

A platoon of photographers came in and swarmed around Trump. Their mission? Get the shot. No mind was given to anyone else in the room, all cameras on Trump, all angles, and if someone was in the way? A little nudge doesn't hurt.

Soon after, we were underway.

The defense took the stand to lay out their closing argument and I sat there, a part of history.

(c)2024 Staten Island Advance, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Air Travel Consumer Report: March 2024 Numbers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of March 2024 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, and 1st quarter oversales. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. 

For March 2024, 0.9% of flights were cancelled, lower than the 1.3% cancellation rate for March 2023 and the 2.0% cancellation rate for pre-pandemic March 2019.  

DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled and that when they do not, airlines will provide consumers the services promised when a flight is cancelled or delayed because of an airline issue. After a two-year DOT push to improve the passenger experience, the 10 largest airlines now guarantee meals and free rebooking on the same airline and nine guarantee hotel accommodations. Consumer-friendly information regarding airline commitments to their customers is available on the Department’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard at FlightRights.Gov . DOT also pushed airlines to provide fee-free family seating and rolled out a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those of the 10 largest that do not, making it easier for parents to avoid paying junk fees to sit with their children when they fly.

DOT recently announced two final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed and protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees . These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers more than half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees. Provisions of the final rule on airline refunds were fortified through the FAA reauthorization bill that President Biden signed into law on May 16, 2024.

In addition, DOT is improving transportation for individuals with disabilities. In July 2023, DOT finalized a rule which requires airlines to make lavatories on new, single-aisle aircraft more accessible. Then, in February 2024, DOT issued a proposal to address other barriers that Americans who use a wheelchair encounter when it comes to air travel by, among other things, proposing to mandate enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passenger with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs.

Further, when necessary, DOT takes enforcement action against airlines and ticket agents that fail to comply with the Department’s aviation consumer protection requirements. In 2023, DOT issued the largest fines in the history of the consumer protection office. This includes a $140 million penalty against Southwest Airlines for failing passengers during the 2022 holiday meltdown. That penalty, which was in addition to over $600 million DOT already ensured was refunded by Southwest to passengers, requires Southwest to establish a $90 million compensation system for passengers affected by significant delays and cancellations beginning April 30, 2024.  Additionally, DOT has helped return nearly $4 billion in refunds to travelers since the pandemic began.

In April, DOT announced the launch of the bipartisan Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with 18 state attorneys general to investigate airlines and ticket agents and hold them accountable when they violate aviation consumer protection laws. The partnership significantly expands the Department’s oversight capacity by establishing a new fast-track system prioritizing misconduct cases from state attorneys general who uncover unfair or deceptive airline practices. Through the partnership, DOT will provide state attorneys general with access to the federal complaint database and help ensure that airlines cooperate with state investigations.

Flight Operations

The 623,409 flights operated in March 2024 were 102.47% of the 608,387 flights operated in March 2023. Operated flights in March 2024 were up 2.47% year-over-year from the 608,387 flights operated in March 2023 and up 13.46% month-over-month from 549,439 flights operated in February 2024. 

In March 2024, the 10 marketing network carriers reported 628,786 scheduled domestic flights, 5,377 (0.9%) of which were cancelled. In February 2024, airlines scheduled 552,691 domestic flights, 3,252 (0.6%) of which were cancelled. In March 2023, airlines scheduled 616,234 domestic flights, 7,847 (1.3%) of which were cancelled.

March 2024 On-Time Arrival

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 78.7%, down from 83.7% in February 2024 and up from 75.4% in March 2023. The year-to-date on-time arrival rate for 2024 is 78.3%.

Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates March 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

• Hawaiian Airlines – 87.2%
• Delta Air Lines Network – 84.8%
• United Airlines Network – 81.8% 

Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates March 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

• Frontier Airlines – 66.4%
• JetBlue Airways – 68.4%
• Spirit Airlines – 69.6%

For the first three months of 2024, the reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 78.31% up from 76.89% for the same period in 2023.

March 2024 Flight Cancellations

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers cancelled 0.9% of their scheduled domestic flights, higher than the rate of 0.6% in February 2024 and lower than the rate of 1.3% in March 2023. The year-to-date cancellation rate for 2024 is 1.7%.

Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Cancelled Flights March 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

• Delta Air Lines Network – 0.2%  
• Hawaiian Airlines – 0.6%   
• Allegiant Air – 0.6%    

  Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Cancelled Flights March 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

• Frontier Airlines – 2.7%    
• Spirit Airlines – 1.7%    
• JetBlue Airways – 1.4%    

For the first three months of 2024, the reporting marketing carriers posted a cancellation rate of 1.7%, equal to 1.7% for the same period in 2023.

Complaints About Airline Service

The release of air travel service complaint data in the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) has been delayed primarily because of the continued high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints. The Department is investing in modernizing its system for handling consumer complaints with the support of a Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) investment to improve the customer experience for the tens of thousands of consumers who use the system each year and enable OACP to more effectively engage in oversight of the airline industry. 

As DOT modernizes its system, given the continued high volume of air travel service complaints concerning airlines and ticket agents, DOT has revised how it processes consumer complaints received after June 1, 2023. From June 2023 until the date its system is modernized, DOT intends to revise the ATCR to display consumer submissions (complaints, inquiries, and opinions) as opposed to complaints for this period. The Department will continue to display civil rights complaints in the ATCR in a similar manner as before and anticipates publishing submission and civil rights complaint numbers for June 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 in June 2024.

Tarmac Delays

In March 2024, airlines reported six tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights, compared to 10 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights reported in February 2024. In March 2024, airlines reported one tarmac delay of more than four hours on an international flight, compared to two tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights reported in February 2024. 

Airlines are required to have and adhere to assurances that they will not allow aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights without providing passengers the option to deplane, subject to exceptions related to safety, security, and Air Traffic Control related reasons. An exception also exists for departure delays if the airline begins to return the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers by those times.

The Department investigates extended tarmac delays.

Mishandled Baggage

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers handled 43.1 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.52%, higher than the rate of 0.48% in February 2024, but lower than the rate of 0.58% in March 2023.

For the first quarter of 2024, the carriers posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.58%, lower than the first quarter 2023 rate of 0.64%.

The Department began displaying the mishandled baggage data as a percentage (i.e., per 100 bags enplaned) in January 2022. This is consistent with the manner that the mishandled wheelchairs and scooters rate is calculated and displayed.     In the prior three calendar year reports (2019 to 2021), the Department calculated the mishandled baggage rate based on the number of mishandled bags per 1,000 checked bags. 

Mishandled Wheelchairs and Scooters

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers reported checking 65,793 wheelchairs and scooters and mishandling 859 for a rate of 1.31% mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, higher than the rate of 1.30% mishandled in February 2024 and lower than the rate of 1.33% mishandled in March 2023.

For the first quarter of 2024, the carriers posted a mishandled wheelchair and scooter rate of 1.36%, lower than the rate of 1.40% in the first quarter of 2023.

To address many of the significant barriers and challenges experienced by passengers who use wheelchairs, the Department has proposed a rulemaking that, if adopted as proposed would make it an automatic violation of the Department’s Air Carrier Access Act regulations for airlines to mishandle a passenger’s wheelchair. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would also enhance training requirements for airline personnel who provide hands-on transfer assistance to passengers and handle wheelchairs. The proposal is available at https://www.regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0144.

Bumping/Oversales

Bumping/oversales data, unlike other air carrier data, are reported quarterly rather than monthly. For the first quarter of 2024, the 10 U.S. reporting marketing carriers posted an involuntary denied boarding, or bumping, rate of 0.27 per 10,000 passengers, lower than both the rate of 0.29 in the first quarter of 2023 and higher than the rate of 0.20 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Incidents Involving Animals

As part of its IT modernization, DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) is improving the options for covered carriers to submit their monthly and annual Reports on Incidents Involving Animals During Air Transport. While the new system is being developed, OACP is permitting covered carriers to delay submission of reports on incidents involving animals during air transport. Annual data on such incidents will be published when DOT receives carriers’ complete submissions of the 2023 data. 

In March 2024, carriers reported zero incidents involving the death, injury, or loss of an animal while traveling by air, down from the two reports filed in February 2024, and equal to the zero reports filed in March 2023.

Consumers may file air travel consumer or civil rights complaints online at   https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint , or they may mail a complaint to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-70, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.

The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

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