My friend says CBP stopped issuing paper I-94s entirely and their new mobile app is now mandatory for land border entries in 2026 — is that true? I just entered at a land border. What do I actually need to show for my SSN application?
You do not need a paper I-94 stub from the border to get your ,[object Object],. You can print your electronic record from the official website, but you must bring a physical paper copy to your appointment.
You are not blocked just because the border officer did not hand you a paper slip. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now issues these electronically at land borders, and Social Security accepts the printout.
Your friend is partly right about the border, but wrong about the app. CBP has automated the I-94 process at land borders. They no longer hand out paper stubs by default, though you can still request one during inspection if you are sent to a secondary setting.
The CBP Link mobile app is not mandatory. You can use either the app or the official CBP I-94 website to access your electronic record.
For your Social Security application, the strict rule is about how you present that record. Social Security requires a physical paper printout of your electronic I-94.
They explicitly ban digital screens. You cannot show the I-94 on a smartphone or any other electronic device, and the office will not print it for you. You must print it yourself before you arrive.
