Forgot to return I-94 (Expired 3 yrs) but planning a USA trip

[Pina Colada]

Just noticed I've made an honest mistake
Did not know I-94 has to be returned to US officials while returning back to Canada by road

I am NOT a PR nor citizen of Canada. I was visiting Canada & driving across the border for sightseeings in the USA.
The I-94 issue date was March 2011 (which expired in Sep 2011)
While returning (land border) to Canada, no one asked for the I-94. That was my very first time visiting the USA too, so I completely hv no clue about that.

Now I am planning a trip from Toronto to NYC (Almost 3 yrs expiration of I-94). What should I do ?
I did some research about how to return it, but still a bit confused.

Should I follow the instructions on US CBP website: Mail the I-94 with supporting docs ? e.g. Pay slips in Canada
Or should I take it to the Pearson Airport CBSA office (Regardless of the long expiration)?
Or should I still go to USA & tell my honest mistake to US officials?

** My confusion is >> many people said they had such mistake but the US officials just say "your I-94 is expired, I'm going to issue you a new one" << without any hassle **

 

[Suin]

You can do it both ways. Just remember that it will take longer than 2 moths to process if you mail the application. I would just go to the border service and honestly explain the situation.

 

[Jalex23]

Just noticed I've made an honest mistake
Did not know I-94 has to be returned to US officials while returning back to Canada by road

I am NOT a PR nor citizen of Canada. I was visiting Canada & driving across the border for sightseeings in the USA.
The I-94 issue date was March 2011 (which expired in Sep 2011)
While returning (land border) to Canada, no one asked for the I-94. That was my very first time visiting the USA too, so I completely hv no clue about that.

Now I am planning a trip from Toronto to NYC (Almost 3 yrs expiration of I-94). What should I do ?
I did some research about how to return it, but still a bit confused.

Should I follow the instructions on US CBP website: Mail the I-94 with supporting docs ? e.g. Pay slips in Canada
Or should I take it to the Pearson Airport CBSA office (Regardless of the long expiration)?
Or should I still go to USA & tell my honest mistake to US officials?

** My confusion is >> many people said they had such mistake but the US officials just say "your I-94 is expired, I'm going to issue you a new one" << without any hassle **

I think I94 is no longer being issued on paper.... I didn't hand it in in most of my trips to the USA, they just tear it off my passport on each entry (and I have done a lot of entries).

Isn't this a topic for a USA Visa forum instead? :

 

[steaky]

I think I94 is no longer being issued on paper.... I didn't hand it in in most of my trips to the USA, they just tear it off my passport on each entry (and I have done a lot of entries).

Isn't this a topic for a USA Visa forum instead? :

In Dec 2013, I-94 was still issued on paper. If the holder departs US by plane, they just tear it off from the passport on departure. But if you depart by a land border, you would need to hand in or mail to them.

 

[Jalex23]

In Dec 2013, I-94 was still issued on paper. If the holder departs US by plane, they just tear it off from the passport on departure. But if you depart by a land border, you would need to hand in or mail to them.

As I said I never ever did this, by air or land. In fact as I said I always carried that thing in my passport and the immigration officer teared it off my passport upon arrival saying "you need a new one".

Anyway, best to ask in a USA immigration forum where they know the rules.

 

[steaky]

As I said I never ever did this, by air or land.

So you did this by sea?

 

[Jalex23]

So you did this by sea?

Nope I have travelled several times from Vancouver to Seattle by car and from Calgary to like 7 cities across the US by air. Never ever I got a request for the I94 by any officer. Once one told me about one that was like 1 year old: "you should take this off your passport", I just nodded, but as I freak out if I touching anything in the passport then I just don't do it. I still got attached to it other paperwork from Canada (the immigration officer told me "this is way old!" )

 

[kewl]

were your passport stamped by CBSA land border upon your return from the US at that time? if yes, the date of entry to Canada is a proof you didnt overstayed and can show it in US border next time you enter...

 

[Whistler2019]

Hello everyone;
I do have the same problem but in 2019, it makes me worry a bit, to be honest. I am going on vacation in a couple of weeks and the other day when I was checking passports and ESTA and all the information needed to travel I realized the green slip from 2016 was still attached to my old passport.
What would you recommend me to do?
Anyone can share with me your experience?

Thanks a lot.

 

[steaky]

Hello everyone;
I do have the same problem but in 2019, it makes me worry a bit, to be honest. I am going on vacation in a couple of weeks and the other day when I was checking passports and ESTA and all the information needed to travel I realized the green slip from 2016 was still attached to my old passport.
What would you recommend me to do?
Anyone can share with me your experience?

Thanks a lot.

Isn't white? Are you sure it's a I94?