Traveling with only I-551 stamp on passport

[kmk5870 0]

On 12/20/2017 at 10:52 AM, merc0230 said:

We had a hard time getting out of Costa Rica with just the stamp. They wanted my wife to go to the Embassy and get a letter from the Embassy.

My wife then took over negotiations and they let her leave, but the mad, frustrated Gringo the answer was go to the Embassy when it opens.

Did you fly from US to CR or from another country? Did you face any problems flying into CR with just the stamp?

[merc0230 28]

On 3/23/2018 at 7:32 PM, kmk5870 said:

Did you fly from US to CR or from another country? Did you face any problems flying into CR with just the stamp?

We flew from the US to CR. No problems entering the country as they don't care if you have a greencard or any other status in the US while entering Costa Rica.

[staycation 0]

On 3/23/2018 at 7:32 PM, kmk5870 said:

Did you fly from US to CR or from another country? Did you face any problems flying into CR with just the stamp?

I was not let on to a Jetblue flight from JFK to CR this morning with the temporary GC stamp in my German passport.

This came as a bit of a surprise, as I'd previously flown from JFK to Chile and the UK without issues.

JetBlue staff googled the Costa Rican embassy website, where there's a note that US permanent residents need the actual document to enter CR, and the stamp is not sufficient, so I should have read the small print.

However, I wonder how strictly enforced this rule is at the actual immigration desk in Liberia, CR, given what others have experienced here.

I think it's necessary to apply for a CR travel visa when you have a temporary GC. I sure wish I understood the rationale for this rule, since US immigration have no problem accepting the stamp on the way home.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

There are a few threads about Costa Rica (and Mexico to an extent) being ####### about requiring the physical unexpired green card for visa-less entry. Folks have been denied entry from the actual immigration desk in CR and put on a flight back, hence JetBlue's discretion. 

[Edward BB 0]

We just went to get an I-551 stamp on the passport due to traveling plans in the Chatsworth CA office (GC expired on 4/17 and Ext Letter expired on 4/18-> 1 year from GC).  Officer gave us stamp but kept expired green card. She said it was new policy but we should not worry about traveling as the STAMP is the new GC for 1 year until we get the new green card. Right now they are working cases filed on 12/17 and it may take up to 3 or 4 months.  

[daremo1971 0]

My wife just got back from overseas on a I-551 stamp.  There was a little bit of extended processing when she arrived back in the USA.  They had her go to a separate area next to the Homeland Security offices where they double checked her documents.  No interview just maybe another 15 minute wait time after the initial interview with the Customs/Immigration Officer.

 

She still has her expired green card and expired 1 year extension letter.  We just renewed her I-551 stamp a few days ago and we still have her expired green card and expired 1 year extension letter.  Also her I-551 stamp at least here in Illinois is only good for 6 months at a time.