US To Eliminate Passport Entry Date Stamps

In an effort to digitise and streamline the entry process for travellers, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun to eliminate the issuance of entry stamps in the passports of foreign nationals upon arrival in the United States.

The record being eliminated is the ink stamp and not the “visa stamp” that a US embassy or consulate affixes to passports.

The new policy measures are already in effect in some ports of entry and CBP will continue to expand the policy at additional ports.

Instead of passport stamps, foreign nationals will only receive an electronic I-94 which they should promptly access after admission to confirm all information is correct, particularly the immigration status and expiration date.

Travellers should obtain a printout of their electronic I-94 via the CBP One™ mobile app or the CBP I-94 website.

Foreign nationals in the US must never stay beyond the “admit until” date listed on their current I-94. The I-94 governs the foreign national’s immigration status and expiration date for I-9 purposes (Employment Eligibility Verification), not their visa or notice of approval (Form I-797).

How The New Policy Will Impact Tourists

A passport entry stamp has been the primary way a foreign national’s admission to the US was recorded in the past. The stamp contained the location of entry, the date and the class of entry.

Now, this information is recorded digitally on Form I-94. Form I-94 is not issued to foreign nationals upon entrance but is instead maintained and available online.

Therefore, a traveller shouldn’t have to worry if their passport is not stamped when entering or leaving the US since everything is done digitally.

Moving forward, when foreign national needs to document their time in the US, they will need to have an accurate I-94. For this reason, foreign nationals should access and review their Form I-94 record as soon after entry as possible, while still in reach of USCBP officials, so that any needed corrections can still be made in a timely manner.

It is recommended to keep the boarding pass in the event that your trip was not recorded correctly as it can help with your next visits to the US. Travellers who entered by land from Mexico or Canada can use the exit stamp stamped by their country of origin.

The I-94 contains the record of all entries and exits to the US territory for the last 5 years.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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