IR1 visa not stamped at port of entry

[Embran 4]

Hi All,

 

I'm really sorry if this was asked before.

 

I moved to the usa on 9th June on a CR1 visa.

The custom officer did not stamp my passport (I was expected an ink stamp) and told me everything is recorded online. He also told me all the forms are online now. Nothing else.

Does anyone know if this is normal? I am not questionning the authorities protocole, just double checking

The officer gave me his name should I need to contact them if any concern 😊

When I went on holiday in the usa last year on Esta, I remember they did not stamp my passport either and I was surprised about it.

 

On my visa, it says 'Upon endorsement serves as a temporary I- 551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year.'

I also paid my immigrant fees on 29th May 2024. I assume my green card is on the way?

 

Thank you for your help 🙏

 

 

 

[MalloryCat 179]

very few US airports stamp passports anymore

everything is recorded online as an I-94, which you can get here if you need it https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

so yes, it is normal that they didn't stamp your passport

[mam521 2,052]

This isn't the first time we've heard that the CBP officer doesn't stamp the passport.  It perplexed the lot of us.  How is anyone supposed to know when that year is?  I also don't know how this impacts getting a SSN considering the SSA says you can use an endorsed MRIV and usually the stamp is the endorsement.  

 

If you paid your fee, your card should come.  If you log into to your MyUSCIS account, you can follow updates.  Additionally, you can sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and you'll see the envelope appear in your postal tracking.  It seems the majority of people have been getting their greencards in reasonable time.  

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

10 minutes ago, MalloryCat said:

very few US airports stamp passports anymore

everything is recorded online as an I-94, which you can get here if you need it https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

so yes, it is normal that they didn't stamp your passport

This is not correct.  LPRs do not have I-94s.  The passport should have been stamped.  

[MalloryCat 179]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

This is not correct.  LPRs do not have I-94s.  The passport should have been stamped.  

oh! my mistake

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

39 minutes ago, Embran said:

Hi All,

 

I'm really sorry if this was asked before.

 

I moved to the usa on 9th June on a CR1 visa.

The custom officer did not stamp my passport (I was expected an ink stamp) and told me everything is recorded online. He also told me all the forms are online now. Nothing else.

Does anyone know if this is normal? I am not questionning the authorities protocole, just double checking

The officer gave me his name should I need to contact them if any concern 😊

When I went on holiday in the usa last year on Esta, I remember they did not stamp my passport either and I was surprised about it.

 

On my visa, it says 'Upon endorsement serves as a temporary I- 551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year.'

I also paid my immigrant fees on 29th May 2024. I assume my green card is on the way?

 

Thank you for your help 🙏

 

 

 

This was a big mistake by CPB.  Immigrant visas MUST be stamped in order to act as a temporary Green Card..  You need to go to your nearest CBP Deferred Inspection Site to get a stamp. 

Edited June 17 by Crazy Cat

[Ontarkie 14,205]

~~Moved to General Immigration Discussion, from AOS from K1/K3 - as this is not an AOS question, the OP entered with a spousal visa.~~

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

16 minutes ago, mam521 said:

How is anyone supposed to know when that year is? 

Exactly correct.  That is why immigrant visas must be stamped.  This was a CBP error.

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

Requirements for Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)

 

"An intending immigrant must present the immigrant visa at a U.S. port-of-entry prior to the expiration of the immigrant visa. An intending immigrant becomes a lawful permanent resident once the immigrant visa and accompanying paperwork is reviewed and endorsed by a CBP Officer. "

Edited June 17 by Crazy Cat

[Embran 4]

11 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Exactly correct.  That is why immigrant visas must be stamped.  This was a CBP error.

Hi crazy cat

 

Thank you for your reply.

I am super nervous about this now. I have emailed the nearest CBP site. Let's see what they say.

 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

5 minutes ago, Embran said:

Hi crazy cat

 

Thank you for your reply.

I am super nervous about this now. I have emailed the nearest CBP site. Let's see what they say.

 

 

 

I would go to a DIS and tell them you want the stamp.  They have given members incorrect info over the phone before for this issue. The visa MUST be stamped/endorsed.  Your plastic Green Card might take months arrive.  You need the stamp to endorse the visa, and to indicate when you entered the US.

 

"An intending immigrant must present the immigrant visa at a U.S. port-of-entry prior to the expiration of the immigrant visa. An intending immigrant becomes a lawful permanent resident once the immigrant visa and accompanying paperwork is reviewed and endorsed by a CBP Officer. "

Edited June 17 by Crazy Cat

[JKLSemicolon 411]

18 minutes ago, Embran said:

Hi crazy cat

 

Thank you for your reply.

I am super nervous about this now. I have emailed the nearest CBP site. Let's see what they say.

 

 

 

If you are able to confirm the hours they are open you should be able to just show up without needing to contact them or make an appointment, etc. (at least this was the case for us a few years ago at the site located within our local airport).

[JeanneAdil 6,484]

In an effort to streamline and digitize the entry process for travelers arriving in the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began a pilot program in 2021 to eliminate ink stamps in passports for foreign nationals arriving in the United States.Jun 23, 2023

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

In an effort to streamline and digitize the entry process for travelers arriving in the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began a pilot program in 2021 to eliminate ink stamps in passports for foreign nationals arriving in the United States.Jun 23, 2023

That doesn't apply to immigrant visa holders.

[powerpuff 6,670]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

This was a big mistake by CPB.  Immigrant visas MUST be stamped in order to act as a temporary Green Card..  You need to go to your nearest CBP Deferred Inspection Site to get a stamp. 

I agree. I’d go without waiting for an email back and quite literally but respectfully demand the stamp.