GC for Special registration country's person

[hassar10]

Hopefully someone has experience this.
Does one have to go through immigration (For exit entry) if he is traveling first time on GC. Last time I entered on AP and did my special registration at the airport and alos have that I-94
I am from one of the special registration country
Wondering if I will have any issues returning if I exit without going through immigration

[byegeorge]

GC card holders are not included in the special registration procedures.

Why do you still have your I-94? It should have been surrendered when your GC was approved (i.e. during the interview)

[NIW_Engineer]

Originally Posted by byegeorge

GC card holders are not included in the special registration procedures.

Why do you still have your I-94? It should have been surrendered when your GC was approved (i.e. during the interview)

In my case... I was never interviewed for GC, perhaps because it was employment based?. I just got the card in the mail, so obviously I still have an I-94 in my passport.

By "special registration procedures" you mean the fact of surrendering an I-94 before leaving at the airport and filling a new one on the plane when returning to the US?

[bmw740]

yes, you have to go to special registration counter for the last time. they will close your file. i had to do it after i got my gc in 2005. one office got confused why i am here (because i had GC) but another officer came and confirmed that yes, i had to do it one last time

[seebeyond]

From my understanding, at least according to the officer... you don't have to do another exit interview. He said once you have an advance parole you are free. So I would think with green card is the same.

I did the special registration when using AP for first time, but didn't do any when get back to the country.
So I assumed - I have been freed from the special registration nightmare.

Just check with them first - it should be quick.

Originally Posted by hassar10

Hopefully someone has experience this.
Does one have to go through immigration (For exit entry) if he is traveling first time on GC. Last time I entered on AP and did my special registration at the airport and alos have that I-94
I am from one of the special registration country
Wondering if I will have any issues returning if I exit without going through immigration

[NIW_Engineer]

bmw740 and seebeyond, thanks for your replies.

let's see... in 10 years living here under several non-immigrant visas (F-1 student & H-1B) I never had to do an "exit interview" or talk to anyone from CBP or CIS when leaving. The airline employee just took my I-94 from my passport and that was it. Did you guys have to talk to CBP before leaving?

[pianoplayer]

Originally Posted by NIW_Engineer

bmw740 and seebeyond, thanks for your replies.

let's see... in 10 years living here under several non-immigrant visas (F-1 student & H-1B) I never had to do an "exit interview" or talk to anyone from CBP or CIS when leaving. The airline employee just took my I-94 from my passport and that was it. Did you guys have to talk to CBP before leaving?

Hi:

Let me just clarify a few things. Only people from certain countries are subject to Special Registration and must report each time before leaving the country. NIW_Engineer, your country probably does not fall in this group of countries and therefore you never had to do that.

Second, as a PR, a person from a special registration country need NOT comply with such procedures anymore. Even if you still have the I94, it is NOT necessary to check in upon departure.

Information collected by Special Registration (and US VISIT for that matter) are retained by DHS even after the person becomes a PR or later USC ---- but the person need not comply with the procedures anymore ----- not even for one last time.

[seebeyond]

NIW_Engineer,

Yes, many people from 'special' countries get special treatment. We have to tell USCIS everytime we get out of the country and everytime we get back into the country.

Not sure what a CBP is. Special registration is usually a special room somewhere in the corner or next to the restroom. Like the name suggested, it is supposed to make us feel special.

Originally Posted by NIW_Engineer

bmw740 and seebeyond, thanks for your replies.

let's see... in 10 years living here under several non-immigrant visas (F-1 student & H-1B) I never had to do an "exit interview" or talk to anyone from CBP or CIS when leaving. The airline employee just took my I-94 from my passport and that was it. Did you guys have to talk to CBP before leaving?