US Arrival Card: I-94, Customs and Entry Requirements

Traveling from the Philippines to the United States? Learn whether you need an arrival form, who can use Mobile Passport Control, how Form I-94 works, what documents to prepare, and what food, money, medicines, and purchases you must declare at U.S. customs.

What Is the US Arrival Card?

The United States does not have one universal online arrival card for all international passengers. Travelers may encounter two separate records:

• CBP Form 6059B Customs Declaration: This records the goods, food, currency, and agricultural products you are bringing into the United States. Some airports collect this information electronically or during the CBP interview, while others may still use the official paper form.
• Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record: This records the immigration status, arrival date, and permitted stay of most foreign visitors. For passengers arriving by air or sea, CBP normally creates the I-94 electronically after admitting the traveler.

The Mobile Passport Control app is an optional arrival-processing tool for eligible passengers. It is not a visa, ESTA, or replacement for Form I-94.

Do Filipino Travelers Need a US Arrival Card?

Ordinary Philippine passport holders do not need to complete a separate online U.S. arrival card before flying. Most Filipino tourists enter with a valid B1/B2 visa and complete their immigration and customs declarations during the CBP inspection after landing.

A CBP officer may ask about your trip, accommodation, length of stay, return flight, finances, and the items in your luggage. You may also receive a paper customs form depending on the airport and its procedures.

Filipino tourists cannot use ESTA because the Philippines is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. A valid B1/B2 visitor visa is generally required for tourism.

Can Filipino Travelers Use Mobile Passport Control?

B1/B2 visa

Most Philippine passport holders traveling on a B1/B2, F-1, J-1, H-1B, or another standard non-immigrant visa cannot use Mobile Passport Control.

The official MPC app is currently available to:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. lawful permanent residents or Green Card holders
• Canadian citizen visitors traveling under B1/B2 status
• Returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA authorization

A Filipino Green Card holder may use MPC because of their U.S. permanent resident status. A dual U.S.-Filipino citizen may also use MPC when entering with a U.S. passport.

Requirements for Filipinos Entering the United States

Prepare the following documents before your flight:

1. Valid Philippine Passport

Your passport should generally remain valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Make sure it is undamaged and has sufficient space for immigration processing.

2. Valid U.S. Visa

Your visa must match the purpose of your trip. Common examples include:

• B1/B2 for tourism, family visits, or temporary business
• F-1 for academic studies
• J-1 for approved exchange programs
• H-1B for qualifying employment

A valid visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry, but it does not guarantee admission. The final decision is made by a CBP officer.

3. Travel and Accommodation Details

Keep the following information ready:

• Full address of your first hotel or accommodation
• Return or onward flight booking
• Travel itinerary
• Contact details of relatives or friends you are visiting
• Proof of sufficient travel funds, if requested

4. Supporting Documents

Bring documents related to your visa category. Students should carry their signed Form I-20, while workers may need their approval notice, petition documents, or employer letter.

5. Philippine eTravel Registration

Filipino passengers leaving the Philippines should complete the free eTravel registration within 72 hours before departure. This is a Philippine departure requirement and is separate from U.S. immigration.

How to Use the Mobile Passport Control App

These steps only apply if you are eligible to use MPC.

Step 1: Download the Official MPC App

Download the free Mobile Passport Control app published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Avoid third-party apps that request payment because the official MPC service is free.

Step 2: Create Your Traveler Profile

Scan your passport or enter the requested passport information. One device can include up to 12 eligible travelers in the same submission.

Check that every name, passport number, nationality, and expiry date matches the passport exactly.

Step 3: Wait Until You Reach the Arrival Location

You can prepare your traveler profile before the trip, but you should only complete and submit the arrival declaration after reaching a participating U.S. airport, seaport, or Preclearance location.

Select the correct airport and terminal, answer the inspection questions, and take the required live photograph.

Step 4: Submit the Information

Submit the declaration to receive an electronic confirmation or receipt. Follow the signs for the MPC lane and present your physical passport and app confirmation to the CBP officer.

Using MPC does not guarantee admission or remove the need for a face-to-face CBP inspection.

What Is Form I-94?

Form I-94 is the official arrival and departure record for most foreign visitors admitted to the United States. It shows:

• Your most recent U.S. entry date
• Your immigration class, such as B2 or F1
• Your I-94 record number
• Your “Admit Until Date” or “D/S” notation

For Filipino passengers arriving by air or sea, CBP normally creates the I-94 automatically. You do not need to submit a separate online application or pay an I-94 fee before your flight.

After entering the United States, check your record through the official I-94 website and confirm that your name, passport number, visa class, and permitted stay are correct.

Your visa expiry date does not determine how long you may remain in the United States. Your authorized stay is based on the I-94 record issued by CBP.

Form I-94 for Land Border Entry

Filipino visitors entering the United States through a land border from Canada or Mexico may need to apply for a provisional I-94.

You can apply through the official I-94 website or CBP Link app up to seven days before reaching the border. The current fee is US$30 per application.

The provisional application does not guarantee admission. You must still appear at the selected land border, present your travel documents, complete the inspection, and provide biometrics when required.

What Must You Declare at US Customs?

Answer all customs questions honestly. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, declare it and let the CBP or agriculture officer decide.

Food and Agricultural Products

Declare all food, plants, seeds, meat, seafood, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, soil, and animal products.

Commercially packed snacks may be allowed, but they should still be declared. This includes dried mangoes, chicharon, canned food, instant noodles containing meat, baked goods, and food taken from the airplane.

Declaring an item does not automatically mean it will be confiscated. Failing to declare it may result in seizure or penalties.

Money and Monetary Instruments

You may bring any amount of money into the United States. However, you must report a combined amount exceeding US$10,000.

This can include cash, traveler’s checks, money orders, and certain negotiable financial instruments. The limit applies to the combined amount carried by a family or group filing a joint declaration, not only to each traveler individually.

Purchases and Gifts

Declare all goods purchased or received abroad, including gifts and items bought from airport duty-free shops. Buying something from a duty-free store does not automatically make it exempt from U.S. customs duty.

Personal exemptions depend on the traveler’s status, length of stay, previous exemptions, and the type of goods. Do not assume that one alcohol, tobacco, or gift allowance applies to every visitor.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Declare all alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products. Allowances depend on your age, immigration status, quantity, and the laws of the state where you enter.

Medicines

Carry medicines in their original packaging. Bring a copy of your prescription or doctor’s letter for controlled medicines, injectable drugs, or large quantities.

Cannabis

Do not bring marijuana, cannabis products, THC oils, or cannabis-containing food across the U.S. border. Cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal border law, even when entering a state where local use is permitted.

Restricted or Prohibited Items

Restrictions may apply to:

• Firearms and dangerous weapons
• Counterfeit branded products
• Endangered wildlife products
• Certain meat and agricultural products
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Products made in sanctioned locations

Arrival Process at a US Airport

Follow these steps after landing:

1. Follow the signs to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
2. Join the standard visitor lane if you are traveling on a Philippine passport with a regular U.S. visa.
3. Use the MPC lane only if you are eligible and have submitted your MPC declaration.
4. Present your passport, visa, and supporting documents.
5. Answer the CBP officer’s questions clearly and honestly.
6. Complete facial photography or fingerprint checks when requested.
7. Collect your checked luggage.
8. Proceed through the customs inspection area.
9. Recheck your baggage if you have a connecting domestic flight.

If the United States is your first entry point before a connecting flight, you normally complete immigration, collect your luggage, pass customs, and recheck the bag at that airport.

When Should You Complete the US Arrival Requirements?

Ordinary Filipino visitor: There is normally no U.S. online arrival card to submit before the flight. Prepare your documents and complete the declaration during the CBP arrival process.

Eligible MPC user: Create the passport profile before traveling, but submit the declaration only after arriving at a participating airport or U.S. Preclearance location.

Land border traveler: Apply for a provisional I-94 within seven days before reaching the border.

Departing the Philippines: Complete Philippine eTravel registration within 72 hours before departure.

Tips for Filipino Travelers

• Do not pay for MPC. The official CBP app is free.
• Do not select the MPC lane if your visa or immigration status is not eligible.
• Keep your hotel address and return flight details ready.
• Declare every food item, including commercially packed Filipino snacks.
• Charge your phone and connect to airport Wi-Fi if you are using MPC.
• Check your electronic I-94 after admission and report incorrect information to CBP.
• Follow the Admit Until Date on your I-94, not the expiry date printed on your visa.
• Allow extra connection time because you may need to clear immigration, collect your luggage, pass customs, and recheck your bags.