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What to do if…
you lose the arrival or departure card you were told to keep with your passport

Short answer

First confirm whether your arrival/departure record is electronic (common for air/sea entries); if you were issued a paper record (often a paper Form I-94), start the official replacement/correction route promptly so you can prove lawful admission and avoid travel or filing problems.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume it “doesn’t matter” if you were told to keep it.
  • Do not pay unofficial “fixers” to create paperwork or stamps.
  • Do not file paid applications until you’ve tried the official CBP I-94 retrieval steps.
  • Do not ignore errors (wrong name, date, or class of admission) even if you can retrieve a record.
  • Do not rely on the airline to resolve an immigration record issue at check-in.

What to do now

  1. Work out what you lost:
    • If you entered the U.S. by air or sea, your I-94 is often electronic (you can retrieve/print it).
    • If you had a small paper card/slip in your passport, treat it as a paper I-94 that may need replacement if lost.
  2. Retrieve your record from CBP and save it:
    • Use the official CBP I-94 site to Get Most Recent I-94 and save a PDF/screenshot for your records.
  3. If your I-94 is “Not Found” online, follow CBP’s troubleshooting approach:
    • Re-enter details exactly as on the passport and try common formatting variations.
    • If it still won’t retrieve, CBP notes that further steps may be needed (for example help from CBP, and in some cases a records request).
  4. If the record is missing or incorrect (especially class/date), contact CBP for correction:
    • Use a CBP Deferred Inspection Site or the Port of Entry where you were admitted to request correction of the admission record.
    • Do this early if you have an upcoming filing deadline, employment/DMV needs, or travel.
  5. If you were issued a paper I-94 and it’s lost or stolen, use the official replacement process:
    • USCIS Form I-102 is used to request a replacement/initial nonimmigrant arrival-departure document when appropriate.
  6. Build a simple evidence pack (helps with CBP/USCIS and time pressure):
    • passport ID page
    • admission stamp (if any)
    • visa page (if applicable)
    • flight itinerary/boarding pass and arrival details
  7. If your passport or visa is also missing, prioritise replacing the missing identity/travel document as a separate urgent track (because travel becomes the immediate risk).

What can wait

  • You do not need to change travel plans immediately unless an official process tells you to.
  • You do not need to “solve it” in one sitting—your first goal is to retrieve/print the official record, then use CBP correction or USCIS replacement only if needed.
  • You do not need to contact multiple agencies at once; start with CBP retrieval/correction.

Important reassurance

Many travelers no longer receive a physical “arrival/departure card” because records are often electronic. In a lot of cases, the fix is simply retrieving and printing the official I-94. When a paper record is involved, there is an established replacement process.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance to stabilise the situation and protect your ability to prove lawful admission/status. If you have tight deadlines or a complex history, get qualified legal help after you’ve secured the basic record/replacement path.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules and processes can change, and the correct step depends on your entry type and status. Use official CBP/USCIS instructions and keep copies of everything you retrieve or submit.

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