¿What is an I-94 and who needs it? | Crossing to San Diego through CBX

Are you planning a trip to the United States? If you have a flight to or from the Tijuana International Airport, you can expedite your border crossing with Cross Border Xpress (CBX). Did you already purchase your tickets to cross through CBX? If the answer is yes, you are well on your way to making your border crossing much more seamless. The next step is getting all the necessary information and documents ready for your trip, including your I-94 permit. The I-94 permit is an immigration requirement for foreign visitors to the United States when they cross via a land border. In this article, we’ll share with you everything you need to know about the I-94 permit: what it is, who needs it, and how you can get one.

What is an I-94?

An I-94 is a "permit to enter the United States." This is a document that you must procure to be able to cross into the United States, as it is used to record your date of entry and exit from the country. Even if you have a valid tourist visa, remember that the I-94 is an additional requirement if you will be traveling more than 25 miles from the border or staying in the US for more than 30 days. Remember that travelers not in possession of their I-94 permit may have their visa cancelled and be deported from the United States.

Who needs an I-94?

When crossing the United States-Mexico border by land, as is the case with CBX, most visitors to the United States need an I-94 if they wish to travel beyond 25 miles (40 km) from the border or are planning to stay longer than 30 days in the United States.

Make sure you review your trip itinerary. If you will be crossing from Tijuana to San Diego and are going to visit a destination that is more than 25 miles away, even if only for a couple of hours, you will need an I-94. For example, if you plan to visit a theme park in the Los Angeles area like Disneyland or Universal Studios you need one, even if your hotel is within walking distance from the border.

This requirement, which is in addition to a valid visa and passport, applies to Mexican citizens or citizens of any other nationality, excluding Canada and the United States, who do not have a residence permit (green card) or work visa.

How do I apply for an I-94 permit?

Before crossing the border through CBX, you must complete your provisional I-94 permit online. You can do this up to 7 days before your trip. Filling out the I-94 provisional permit online before your trip is super simple and a sure way to streamline your crossing through CBX.

-Step 1. Head over to this site to start your I-94 application. This will take you directly to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, the only site where you can apply for an I-94.

-Step 2. Select the option that applies to you. If you are going to cross through CBX, choose “Visiting the U.S. & Arriving via a Land Border.” This option is for those who are going to enter the country by land.

-Step 3. Complete the information no more than 7 days before the date of your trip. The I-94 that you apply for online is valid for 7 days, so if you complete the form earlier, it will be invalid. In addition to your full name, date of birth, and country of residence, you must provide your visa, passport, and travel information.

-Step 4. Pay for your I-94 permit, which at the time of publication is $6 per person. You can use PayPal or your credit card to make the payment.

-Step 5. You’ll then receive a provisional I-94 permit, which you must print and present to the immigration officer at CBX. Remember that this permit is an additional document to your passport and visa.

- Step 6. Download the CBP App. Using the Customs and Border Protection App will help reduce your passport inspection time.

Expedite your border crossing with CBX and your provisional I-94

CBX offers a faster, more comfortable, and convenient way to cross the U.S.-Mexico border for passengers of the Tijuana International Airport. If you already bought your tickets to take full advantage of all the services CBX offers, streamline your process even more by applying for your I-94 beforehand. It’s fast, convenient, and online.

Before we go, we just want to remind you that CBX has an app where you can gather all your travel information: CBX tickets, airline tickets, payment information, and more. You can download it here: https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/cbx-app

For more information on CBX, purchase tickets, or learn more about what we offer, visit https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/

Important: To check the latest on restrictions for “non-essential” travel across the border, visit: https://mx.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/