Missing Arrival Stamp in Passport

[kppr12]

Folks,

We encountered a unique situation recently and would like an opinion/suggestion if anybody has ever experienced it. As you all know, typically when one arrives at the port of entry in US, an I-94 form (arrival - departure record) needs to be filled out and after checking everything the immigration officer places an "arrival" stamp in the passport. However, the permanent residents and citizens are not required to fill out I-94 form. Now, since my wife and I recently received GC's and my kids are US citizens, we did not fill I-94 for any of us. What happened in our case is that the officer checked our green cards but did not place an "arrival" stamp in mine and my wife's passports, but he stamped my kids' passports. Unfortunately, I did not notice this until recently. Is this normal? Is this something I should be worried about and get rectified? If so, how may I go about doing it? If this is not a problem, is there any way we can verify this by sending an email or making a telephone call to some authority?

Any input will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[ginnu]

Originally Posted by kppr12

Folks,

We encountered a unique situation recently and would like an opinion/suggestion if anybody has ever experienced it. As you all know, typically when one arrives at the port of entry in US, an I-94 form (arrival - departure record) needs to be filled out and after checking everything the immigration officer places an "arrival" stamp in the passport. However, the permanent residents and citizens are not required to fill out I-94 form. Now, since my wife and I recently received GC's and my kids are US citizens, we did not fill I-94 for any of us.

What happened in our case is that the officer checked our green cards but did not place an "arrival" stamp in mine and my wife's passports,
------That is OK ( just remember the date when you and your wife fill up form for citizenship)

but he stamped my kids' passports. Unfortunately, I did not notice this until recently. Is this normal? Is this something I should be worried about and get rectified? If so, how may I go about doing it? If this is not a problem, is there any way we can verify this by sending an email or making a telephone call to some authority?
-----do nothing
Any input will be much appreciated.

Thanks

-------------------

[Rahi khan]

I received my GC this week and planing to travel next week to my home country for 6 weeks.
- Do I need to submit my H1-B I-94 at the time of departure at the airline counter?
- I am from one of the coutry that required special registration and I did that in 2003. Do I need to report with immigration personal in the airport before my departure that I am departing?

Please advice. Thanks

[kppr12]

Thanks ginnu, much appreciate your response...

[compiler]

Originally Posted by Rahi khan

I received my GC this week and planing to travel next week to my home country for 6 weeks.
- Do I need to submit my H1-B I-94 at the time of departure at the airline counter?
- I am from one of the coutry that required special registration and I did that in 2003. Do I need to report with immigration personal in the airport before my departure that I am departing?

Please advice. Thanks

There is unnecessary to hand in your I-94. It has been terminated and recorded in the CIS system. I saw a CIS Special Registration Office at an airport. You may ask whether an LPR is required for the special registration or search it.

[Sun07]

kppr12:

I dont quite agree with ginnu's advice. You left US and for which there would be a record on your passport as an arrival stamp of the country you went to. However, you dont have any record of coming ever back to US and can create problems when you go for Citizenship to prove residency requirements.

I dont know what you can do to correct it but you sure can do lot more then just remembering it. For instance I sure would keep the original copy of your and your wife's boarding cards. Any other documentary proof that you can gather that you did arrive back in US on that date (Paystubs to prove you were in the country for instance). Just in case the IO wants to verify your naturilaztion application and your passport does not substantiate that.

Sun.

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Sun07

I dont quite agree with ginnu's advice. You left US and for which there would be a record on your passport as an arrival stamp of the country you went to. However, you dont have any record of coming ever back to US and can create problems when you go for Citizenship to prove residency requirements.

When you use the green card at an airport, your entry is automatically recorded in the system.

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by kppr12

Folks,

We encountered a unique situation recently and would like an opinion/suggestion if anybody has ever experienced it. As you all know, typically when one arrives at the port of entry in US, an I-94 form (arrival - departure record) needs to be filled out and after checking everything the immigration officer places an "arrival" stamp in the passport. However, the permanent residents and citizens are not required to fill out I-94 form. Now, since my wife and I recently received GC's and my kids are US citizens, we did not fill I-94 for any of us. What happened in our case is that the officer checked our green cards but did not place an "arrival" stamp in mine and my wife's passports, but he stamped my kids' passports. Unfortunately, I did not notice this until recently. Is this normal? Is this something I should be worried about and get rectified? If so, how may I go about doing it? If this is not a problem, is there any way we can verify this by sending an email or making a telephone call to some authority?

It is not a problem. That's what they normally do ... they stamp the passport of citizens and swipe the green card of permanent residents. They often don't even ask for your passport if you show a green card.

[ginnu]

Originally Posted by Sun07

kppr12:

I dont quite agree with ginnu's advice. You left US and for which there would be a record on your passport as an arrival stamp of the country you went to. However, you dont have any record of coming ever back to US

-------------when you enter US the POE officer takes your GC and swipe the GC and update the USCIS system the day you entred.

and can create problems
--------------No problem, if poster write the correct date of entry to US. USCIS can find any info about you when you left or when you came back on any status

when you go for Citizenship to prove residency requirements.

I dont know what you can do to correct it but you sure can do lot more then just remembering it.
For instance I sure would keep the original copy of your and your wife's boarding cards.
---------------that is good
Any other documentary proof that you can gather that you did arrive back in US on that date (Paystubs to prove you were in the country for instance).
--------------that is ok
Just in case the IO wants to verify your naturilaztion application and your passport does not substantiate that.

Sun.

-----

[kppr12]

Thank you, Gentlemen. I would however, as many of you suggested, retain our boarding passes etc. but am confident now that it isn't a problem.

Thanks again.

[GC-4-All]

Originally Posted by Jackolantern

It is not a problem. That's what they normally do ... they stamp the passport of citizens and swipe the green card of permanent residents. They often don't even ask for your passport if you show a green card.

when I was travelling before I got my GC, with my kid. The IO did not stamp my kids US passport. And I crossed checked with my neices passports who make trips to India every year, and they do not have a single entry stamp either.

All the IO did was swipe the passport.

[saiprasanth_us1]

I recentrly returned from India and at the POE, the immigration officer put an arrival stamp and wrote saying "ARC - Out for 6 weeks" in the Passport (i have GC) and allowed me in. What does this comment mean?

Any idea?

[saiprasanth_us1]

Can someone answer my question above?

[howdy_howdy]

ARC means Alien Registration Card (GC) and 'Out for 6 weeks' means you
were out of the US for 6 weeks.

Nothing to worry about.

Originally Posted by saiprasanth_us1

I recentrly returned from India and at the POE, the immigration officer put an arrival stamp and wrote saying "ARC - Out for 6 weeks" in the Passport (i have GC) and allowed me in. What does this comment mean?

Any idea?

[saiprasanth_us1]

thanks a lot for the response..that made me relive...
Thanks howdy_howdy