Passport not stamped upon entry with GC ?

[Mr. Grey 0]

Hi folks,

Back in April, I came back from a vacation to Germany and entered the U.S. with my GC, as always. But for the first time ever, the IO did not stamp my passport. Just swiped the GC, took my picture and fingerprints, and that was it. A matter of 30 seconds. I usually always get the "Admitted" stamp, with the ARC note on it. I asked the officer about the stamp, and she said it's optional since you just need the GC to get into the country, not the passport.

Has this happened to anyone of you before ? Any chance of trouble when I re-enter the country next time ?

[milimelo 4,479]

Hi folks,

Back in April, I came back from a vacation to Germany and entered the U.S. with my GC, as always. But for the first time ever, the IO did not stamp my passport. Just swiped the GC, took my picture and fingerprints, and that was it. A matter of 30 seconds. I usually always get the "Admitted" stamp, with the ARC note on it. I asked the officer about the stamp, and she said it's optional since you just need the GC to get into the country, not the passport.

Has this happened to anyone of you before ? Any chance of trouble when I re-enter the country next time ?

No problem in the future, but make sure you write down all your absences from the country for the N400 time. It is easier when you can just look into your passport for dates and lengths of trips - could even point it out to the officer so she/he can write it down for you.

[SPSguy 18]

No problem in the future, but make sure you write down all your absences from the country for the N400 time. It is easier when you can just look into your passport for dates and lengths of trips - could even point it out to the officer so she/he can write it down for you.

When my wife and I entered in May, she received an admission date/stamp on her foreign passport. However, the IO did not put a stamp in my US passport.

As far as my U.S. passport goes, it looks like I'm still out of the country. Anyone with this experience?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

When my wife and I entered in May, she received an admission date/stamp on her foreign passport. However, the IO did not put a stamp in my US passport.

As far as my U.S. passport goes, it looks like I'm still out of the country. Anyone with this experience?

You are a USC,- entry stamps are for foreigners.

[cartaverde 12]

Silja, my (USC) hubby gets always an entry stamp when entering/returning US.

(But not in Ireland and rarely when crossing anything within Schengen).

[imzadi 0]

Hi Mr. Grey,

I had that situation last year too upon returning from a trip to Austria - the POE officer forgot to stamp my passport as well, only swiped the GC. I didn't notice it until later when I was home already ...

But anyway, no need to worry: the officer swiped your GC, so your absences from the US (exit and reentry) are in the system.

Besides, as Milimelo said - it can't hurt to keep a log about your trips outside the country. It's easier than searching for the passport stamps or digging in old calendars etc.

Good luck for the rest of your journey!

[SPSguy 18]

You are a USC,- entry stamps are for foreigners.

I almost had to believe you. Until I pulled out the my current and past U.S. passports. Almost everytime I entered the U.S. there's a stamp

on there.

Apparently this issue is based on how much ink the officer has on his pad. Ex. My most recent entry was not stamped, the one before was stamped, the two prior were not stamped. But before that it was stamped.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Interesting... I wonder if it is dependant on where you are flying from, or on the whim of the BC officer? I just looked at my USC husband's passport- we only ever flew into the USA from Ireland- and he has one entry stamp, from the day I immigrated with him. All the other times- about 7 over 3 years- no entry stamp.

[K and L 27]

I (the USC) am not always stamped upon my return from Brazil (POE @ Miami). Brazil always stamps me in and out, though

[SimranS 9]

I am a USC and have been traveling back and forth between the USA and India frequently for the past 10 years. I have ALWAYS, without exception, received an entry stamp upon arrival in the US.

Imzadi mentioned that the exits/reentries are all recorded in the system for a GC holder. But with no immigration check at exit from the USA how would they have your exit recorded? Only the airline check-in people swipe your GC or passport when leaving the US but does that info go directly to CBP......

For the OP: the officer who admitted you is right- according to the CBP website a passport is *not* required for GC holders to enter the US, only the GC. They do mention, however that it's probably a good idea to have your passport with you as well.

[Noel194 53]

At one time years ago I would travel back and forth to Costa Rica at least once a month and sometimes they would stamp my passport on reentry and other time they would not. I never had a problem with the USA but Costa Rica does not stamp on the way out so I was once quizzed by Costa Rica Customs about leaving the country because you are only allowed to stay 90 days without a visa then you must exit for at least 72 hours. I simply requested that US stamp my passport and they always do.

[Cosmo Kramer 0]

When I left the USA last time (I'm an LPR), I did not receive any stamp in my passport, nor my green card was swiped.

Does this mean that as far as the USCIS concern - I'm still in the country?

The reason I'm asking is because I've been out of country for more than a year and now, when I'm returning to the US I might need to prove to the IO that I have not abandoned my permanent residence.

[SimranS 9]

When I left the USA last time (I'm an LPR), I did not receive any stamp in my passport, nor my green card was swiped.

Does this mean that as far as the USCIS concern - I'm still in the country?

The reason I'm asking is because I've been out of country for more than a year and now, when I'm returning to the US I might need to prove to the IO that I have not abandoned my permanent residence.

That's a good question I hope someone else can help with. The first question the officer will normally ask when you return is "how long were you out of the country"? I don't know that there's any way for them to know besides what you tell them. I assume you have a reentry permit which is needed for an LPR for any stay over a year outside the US.