An H-1B holder is dealing with a confusing issue linked to their I-94 form. Because their passport was close to expiry, CBP issued an I-94 valid only until January 2025. A CBP officer later corrected the date to match the valid H-1B extension.
Online record creates confusion
Two weeks later, the online CBP portal reverted to the old January 2025 date. This happened even though the employer secured an approved I-797 extension from March 2026 to 2029. The sudden change left the visa holder unsure about which date to rely on.
Conflict between dates
The main concern is the mismatch between the CBP portal and the USCIS approved documents. The visa holder wants to know if the I-797 issued by USCIS stands above the CBP portal entry. The inconsistent dates add to the uncertainty.
What experts say
Experts said the USCIS approved I-94 attached to the I-797 is the valid record. They explained that the CBP portal often fails to update after USCIS approves an extension. This leaves the older I-94 visible online even when it is no longer correct.
Status gap concerns
Since the new I-797 starts only in March 2026, the visa holder must make sure there is no status gap from January 2026 to March 2026. The CBP correction document should be enough proof, but experts advised consulting an immigration lawyer due to the conflicting records.
