question regarding VWP

[JamalNTam 1]

When my mum left the us after visiting me she told me that noone took her departure card when she left Newark. Aparently the continental staff took it off her on the flight back to the UK and said that they'd hand it in for her (and most of the other people on the flight). I really hope they did 'hand it in' as they said. If they didnt, what are the implications for when she comes over and visits me again??

[rebeccajo 14]

Chances are the airline handled it all properly. They are used to doing these things.

Did your mother keep her boarding pass when she exited? If so, she might want to place it in her passport in case there are any questions upon her next entry.

[rebeccajo 14]

*double post - new 'puter with Vista and I don't know what I am doing yet - obviously*

Edited August 19, 2007 by rebeccajo

[bszoom42 0]

Another thing she should be able to do is visit the contact the local US embassy and explain the situation to them. They should be able to give some guidance as to whether or not a form can be filled to ensure that the U.S. properly registered her leaving the country.

[JamalNTam 1]

Chances are the airline handled it all properly. They are used to doing these things.

Did your mother keep her boarding pass when she exited? If so, she might want to place it in her passport in case there are any questions upon her next entry.

Yea - she kept it - nobody asked for it or looked at it!! I also advised her to bring some kind of proof that she has been back in the UK since the last time she was here?

[Missbollinger 1]

FYI when she checked in her passport was ran trhough the electronic scanner. That is the record that she has indeed left the country and then again when she arrived back in England. Got to love it, we're all reduced to being a barcode and series of numbers and letters.

[rebeccajo 14]

Chances are the airline handled it all properly. They are used to doing these things.

Did your mother keep her boarding pass when she exited? If so, she might want to place it in her passport in case there are any questions upon her next entry.

Yea - she kept it - nobody asked for it or looked at it!! I also advised her to bring some kind of proof that she has been back in the UK since the last time she was here?

Couldn't hurt.

Missbollinger is correct about the passport scan as well - if that was done. Things are changing all the time as USVISIT is ramped up at more airports.

I really though think the airline took care of it. I believe they used to be the ones who collected the I94s before there were security people at airports doing it. So all is probably well.

[bszoom42 0]

Ok, i found the "official" answer if you mom still had her I-94 in hand from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website.

http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/ph...amp;p_topview=1

Question

I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the U.S., what should I do?

Answer

Failure to turn in your I-94 (or I-94W) when you leave the U.S. can create a serious problem. Without this record of your departure, you will be identified in our records as an "overstay." Being identified as an overstay means that you will be denied re-entry into the U.S. If you failed to turn in your I-94, please send it - along with any documentation that proves you left the U.S. to ACS Inc.1084 South Laurel Rd., London, Kentucky 40744.

Documentation to prove your departure can include the boarding pass from your flight. If you exited the country by a land border it is much harder to verify that you did- in fact - leave the country on the date you claim. If you have any documentation of your arrival in your home country (i.e. passport stamp), then you should send a copy of that. If the above office does not have any supporting documents to substantiate your claim to have left the U.S. on a certain date, there is no guarantee that you will be entered into the record as having done so.We strongly urge you to keep a copy of what you send to ACS Inc. and to carry it with you the next time you come to the U.S. in case the CBP officer has any questions about your eligibility to enter.

If you want to confirm that your I-94 was received by ACS, please give them 4 months to process the paperwork. Then you can write the following address to determine whether or not your departure was recorded. If you turned in the I-94 when you left the U.S. as required, please do NOT request confirmation that it is on file. This process is only for people who did not turn in the I-94 when they exited the U.S.

You will need to provide your name, date of birth, passport number, and date of departure, in addition to asking whether or not your departure was recorded. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Sea Passenger Operations, Room 5.4D, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20229.

I suppose if you wanted to be 100% sure, you could write a letter to that address attaching a photocopy of your passport information page and exit stamps from U.S. and entry stamps into the foreign country and explain the I-94 was turned in to the airline staff. Maybe also include photocopies of the boarding pass.