Paperless I-94

[linuxpro]

I was born and spent most of my life in the USA. One thing remains constant; the government is not very functional.

The paper I-94 is about to go away. The bottom half is required to obtain a Social Security Number. In my experience, policies enacted by a government agency often do not mesh with policy at other government agencies, and government employees are seldom briefed on all the changes.

The COB says that the I-94 can be printed from their website. I do not carry a printer that works with my iPad with me. Any suggestions? We planned to get her SSN the day after we arrive. I really did not have plans to locate an Internet cafe.

[rayb]

You won't be able to get an SSN immediately after arrival. You need to allow about 15 days before the SSA interface with DHS allows the SSA to confirm arrival information of your gal.

If printing out a page from a website poses some difficulty, go to any of the FedEx or UPS consumer stores and have them do it for you, if you don't have any associates who have printers available.

I've had to download the new I-94 docs a dozen or so times and had problems twice so far: for one the passport number was not exactly as on passport, but other info on the passport was used by whoever inputted the information. On another, the I-94 was simply not found with the information from the passport.

--Ray B

I was born and spent most of my life in the USA. One thing remains constant; the government is not very functional.

The paper I-94 is about to go away. The bottom half is required to obtain a Social Security Number. In my experience, policies enacted by a government agency often do not mesh with policy at other government agencies, and government employees are seldom briefed on all the changes.

The COB says that the I-94 can be printed from their website. I do not carry a printer that works with my iPad with me. Any suggestions? We planned to get her SSN the day after we arrive. I really did not have plans to locate an Internet cafe.

[cafeconleche]

Confusing. Is this for your fiance?

[rayb]

Cafeconleche,

I think the original poster meant an I-94 for his fiancee.

In my case, I pull I-94 forms for clients with whom I work. The "not found" for the I-94 I describe below is a real mystery, because the client claims the passport data was inputted "automatically," and not from any form he filled out. If the arrival data was inputted on a document manually by the client, which he denies, I'm sure he wrote something illegibly, like his name, dob, etc., as he is Tunisian and his printing style indicate a real problem with completing any form.

--Ray B

Confusing. Is this for your fiance?

[linuxpro]

Confusing. Is this for your fiance?

It is for my fiancé.

I once flew to Sweden. I went to the Stockholm airport at the end of my trip. I checked my luggage, went through passport control, and security. Then I arrived at the counter to get my tax refund. I pulled out my receipts. Sure enough, I had to show the merchandise. But British Airways allows only one carry on, thus my merchandise is in my checked luggage. I could get no refund. I guess that is why there was no queue at the counter.

Governments burn people this way because they do not think things out.

[linuxpro]

ax return, why are you applying for their ITIN's again? The ITIN's you used for 2012 filing w

She never had an iTIN before. I filed single in 2012. I will fine single for 2013 when I do my taxes. We want the iTin for 2014.

Obtaining an iTIN requires that we send her passport and our marriage license to the USA for 30 days. That is not an option because I do not trust the US govt not to loose it. There are other ways that require lots of paperwork. To be honest, I have reached the end of my patience with paperwork.

Getting a SSN if you have an i-94 and a K1 requires only a simple form and 1 hour according to the US govt web site. We will use my brothers address, and I will pick up her card some other time. We have no immediate need for the card so we do not care if it takes time to process or to mail.

You know why the US govt has so many employes? You know all those kids in your high school that took home report cards with all D's on them? Well they have to work someplace!

[linuxpro]

Success!

Two months, two emails, and three phone calls later, I found out that there is now a stamp in the passport that replaces the i94. Evidently not many SSA employees know about it.

[linuxpro]

We are at the airport leaving the USA. The paperless I94 never worked. As of yesterday SSA says that the DHS has not acknowledged her arrival yet (15 days).

The lady said that the stamp is sufficient to apply for an SSN, but it will not be processed until the DHS processes her arrival.

We are at the departure gate now. I am not sure how we show that we left.

[rayb]

Get an exit stamp in your gal's passport. That is proof that you left.

--Ray B

We are at the airport leaving the USA. The paperless I94 never worked. As of yesterday SSA says that the DHS has not acknowledged her arrival yet (15 days).

The lady said that the stamp is sufficient to apply for an SSN, but it will not be processed until the DHS processes her arrival.

We are at the departure gate now. I am not sure how we show that we left.

[linuxpro]

Get an exit stamp in your gal's passport. That is proof that you left.

--Ray B

There is no exit immigration at SF airport. How could we have obtained a stamp? Anyway we are in HongKong now.

An entry stamp into Singapore will have to do. She gets hers stamped when she enters Singapore. I enter via the automated system. They never a stamp mine.

[linuxpro]

I tried again Ray. The paperless I94 still is not showing in the system 18 days after she entered the USA.

I called the USCIS, they have no explanation.

Silly huh?