I-551 question

[BTalley 0]

While waiting for our delayed Green Card (we were approved on May 5), we have decided to make an InfoPass appointment to have an I-551 stamp put in Svetlana's passport.

But there is a passage in her passport that is causing her concern. It says, "Any unauthorized editing or changing will make it invalid."

Now, one would think an immigration office would be "authorized." But she knows of cases where seals made by customs officers in the wrong place made people's passports invalid.

So the question is this: Is there any danger this stamp would be viewed as an "unauthorized alteration" by Russian authorities when she tries to re-enter her home country at some future date?

[slim 1,525]

But she knows of cases where seals made by customs officers in the wrong place made people's passports invalid.

Sounds like someone's been reading the Russian fiancee forums again.

How could they stop her from returning to her own country? And last time I checked, Russia doesn't even acknowledge what the U.S. does in terms of passports and paperwork.

[Neonred 3,564]

Slim's correct. This is needless worrying. My wife got the stamp and later that year we traveled beck to Russia with no problems. I've never heard of any problem related to the I-551 in a passport.

[mox 298]

But she knows of cases where seals made by customs officers in the wrong place made people's passports invalid.

Sounds like someone's been reading the Russian fiancee forums again.

How could they stop her from returning to her own country? And last time I checked, Russia doesn't even acknowledge what the U.S. does in terms of passports and paperwork.

Exactly.

We see a lot of this kind of question here. The Russian government doesn't go by any of the rules and laws of the United States, and vice versa. A stamp in her passport by the US government has about as much rule of law in Russia as a note from your mom. And as you (the OP) pointed out, the additional stamp is "authorized" by the US gubmit, so it's not going to invalidate anything they've placed in her passport either.

[BTalley 0]

Thanks, all.

We got the stamp, and it was no big deal. She just comes from a culture where you hope for the best but always expect the worst. I'm like that, too. But she is more pessimistic than me (or maybe just more outspoken about it).

[slim 1,525]

A stamp in her passport by the US government has about as much rule of law in Russia as a note from your mom.

I think I will have my mom write me a Russian visa next time and see if it works. "Smotri! Vot eto takoy, blat? PZ, durok!" - and then just keep on walking through customs. I'm not scared of AK-47s anyway. Come to think of it, I didn't even see an AKs at the aeroport. No, wait a minute. Yeah I did. Right next to the X-ray machine that wasn't being used. The guy who was supposed to be checking bags but was taking a smoke break and just waiving everyone through, yeah, he had one propped up against the broken X-ray machine.

On second thought, maybe my mom's note really would work!

She just comes from a culture where you hope for the best but always expect the worst. I'm like that, too. But she is more pessimistic than me (or maybe just more outspoken about it).

Welcome to the club!