How to do I-94 extension or renewal after new Passport renewal in US?

USA Wiki
15

I have valid visa H1b visa till next year on my old passport which is expired in Mar, 2020. I have new passport and valid I-797. My attorney suggested to contact CBP or cross border and re-enter.
Con you able to confirm with CBP before crossing the border? I have mix answers when i called CBP, some said its ok and other said my visa is void.
I’m planning to go to CANADA border this week.

16

Hi @Ram_Siddarth

H1B cannot file i539 form.

H1B can visit the border and get the new i94 though.

17

Hi @Rahul_J

Your legal stay in US is governed by your i94 and not i797.

I know it is complex as there are multiple things in US:

  1. I797
  2. Visa stamp in passport
  3. I94

The thing is that all three serve different purpose but are very close to create misunderstanding.

18

Hi @Hvisa

You can check with CBP at border on US side to renew your i94.
If they agree, which they do in some cases based on the officer you see, you don’t need to cross border.

If they don’t, it will be your choice to cross and reenter to get new i94.

19

Hi Anil,
I’m going to California San Ysidro US-Mexico border from NJ for my I-94 extension (old one expired) after passport renewal.
I will try first from the US side without crossing the border, so
which office should i contact for I-94 extension inside the US?

If they say i need to cross the border, which is the current open pedestrian road for border crossing and I-94 extension?

Thanks for your help,
Amit

20

Hi @Hvisa

Help yourself:

1 Like
21

Me in same boat… did you’ve any luck? Please let me know.

23

Got I-94 extended and passport stamped at San Diego (San Ysidro) US Mexico border pedEast office on 05/12.
You need to cross the border but go via pedestrian road at PedEast side.

Good Luck!

24

Amit, why did you choose to go to San Diego from NJ and not to any Canadian border in NE? Did you check visit or with them before going to San Diego ? I called up the Rainbow Bridge Niagara CBP office and they asked me to come in person and get this done. I am going this weekend.

Also, how is the commute to San Diego ? No hassles ? I live in PA and hence the q.

25

You can try Canadian Border, I also called few CBP offices at Canadian Border but they said, they are closed for non essential business until May 20.
Just make you before you leave US border.

I read here that somebody went San Diego few days ago and had I-94 extended, that’s why I choose San Diego,
flying to San Diego not bad, but it’s expensive.

26

Thanks. I am driving down to Niagara this weekend to see if they can do there since the officer on the phone asked me to visit them. I guess it depends on the officer on duty. Else, will try San Diego. Did you call up. the San Diego office before you went ?

27

I called so many CBP offices, including Canadian and Mexico US border Sentry offices.
You may need Canadian Visa if you planning to enter Canada.
For Mexico, US visa is valid for Mexico entry permit.
But In this Pandemic, it’s better you can drive and try Canadian Border, Just make sure you talk to officer before leaving US Border, they may give you extension without crossing the border.
Good Luck!

28

@Hvisa

Thanks man. I have a valid Canada visa and the border is only 5 hrs drive for me. Am trying this weekend. The thought of flying to San Diego from East Coast and staying in a hotel overnight is alarming !! But that is my plan B. I presume you flew from NJ and stayed overnight at San Diego. Any tips ? Also, should I take prior appointment with the Sentry office in San Diego ?

29

@Hvisa : Hi , I have also i94 expiring in dec this year and h1b valid till 2022.
I am planning to go to San Diego border next week. I wanted to check couple of things with you before visiting

  1. Did you go to San ysidro pedwest or pedeast ? did u had to cross border ?
  2. Can you send me exact address where you went ?
  3. Did you pay online or in person fee ?
  4. Did you try going to Otay mesa ?
  5. Is the pedeast / pedwest open 24x7 ?
  6. What all documents you had to take ?

Kindly let me know. It will be really helpful as I need to go with wife and small kid.

30

@Anil_Gupta Thanks for all the guidance on this forum. Need some advice please.

I am on L1A Blanket with my I797-I129S until March 2022. Since my old passport’s expiry date was Jun 16 2020, my i94 expires on Jun16 2020. I have renewed my passport since. As mentioned in one of my posts above, I called up a few CBP offices along the Canada border and the one in Niagara asked me to visit in person to get this updated. But today when I went with my wife and kid (on L2 with same i94 expiry as mine) they said that they cannot do it unless I cross the border which is closed now. Looks like some inexperienced officer gave me bad advice on the phone.

I am planning to go to San Ysrido Sentri office sometime this week. We are thinking of the risk of traveling from the East Coast for my wife who is undergoing treatment for an underlying medical condition. So, is it advisable to get mine done now and for my family later ? What happens if I get mine done this week and not able to get theirs done before their i94 expires? How to get their’s done at a later date preferably when the Canadian borders open ? Also, are L1 and H1 cases treated differently ?

Much appreciated.

31

I flew from NJ to San Diego via Denver and stayed in Rodeway Inn hotel ( Address: 643 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Ysidro, CA 92173

Phone: (619) 428-2800 (next to border) for a night.
You don’t need any appointment, just walk-in.
Hotel is just two blocks from PedEast CBP office.

32

Kumar: see my response…

  1. Did you go to San ysidro pedwest or pedeast ? did u had to cross border ? PedEast, and yes crossed the border.
  2. Can you send me exact address where you went ? i have hotel address
    Address: 643 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Ysidro, CA 92173
  3. Did you pay online or in person fee ? paid $6 there. Online won’t allow me as my passport expired and new passport no. wasn’t allow me to enter.
  4. Did you try going to Otay mesa ? you can check other forum for San Ysidro address or google search for PedEast.
  5. Is the pedeast / pedwest open 24x7 ? no there are open 6:00am to 10:00pm,
  6. What all documents you had to take ? Your current I-797, All passport (current and new with valid visa) your current address proof and your work documents (pay slips, company letter, brochure etc.)
33

Hi @Hvisa, appreciate your response. Was the PedEast open over weekends ? Were you able to travel on flight while shelter-in-place order is there right ? I am in Bay area, california and planning to go next week so want to confirm if there is any issue with respect to travel on planes.

Also, any specific precautions to take regarding covid19 like masks, gloves, etc and other things and is there any checking done with that regards.

34

Hi Kumar, I believed their office is close during weekends, you may call and check.
you must need mask, and take extra precaution like gloves, wipes, sanitizer etc.

35

same situation, wondering if anyone had success on the texas CBP office?

1 Like