Passport Stamp

[kj2007]

Following approval of the I-485, does everyone get a stamp in their passport?
(ie stamp of temporary evidence of I-551)

If not, why do some get it and others do not?

Is it neccessary to get this stamp?

[austriacus]

It depends on the specific DO's policy. I believe in the past, it was common practice to receive a stamp, and now some DO's only give it if you specifically request it and/or have a good reason to have a stamp.

You only need the stamp if you need proof of permanent residency during the time between when you were actually approved and when your card arrives in the mail. A typical reason that you'd need the proof is if you intend to travel before you receive the actual GC.

Some immigration trackers have columns with "I-551 stamp received" where you can check for a specific DO how many people received it. I believe for my DO (San Antonio) the I-551 stamp is routinely given. I received one too.

[pville85]

I didn't recieve a stamp in my passport.However I was given an approval letter with my info on it.And the IO told me if I had an important reason for needing the stamp I could make an infopass appointment and get my passport stamped.

[Al Southner]

Hi...

I didn't ask for my passport to be stamped but the office did it at her own accord. It is possible that since I travel a whole lot for my job, she viewed it as a practical thing for me to have a stamped passport while awaiting a plastic card....

It is possible that your officer decided to not stamp your passport because your card will be in the mail shortly. In my experience, and I think Mr. Pville's own experience, the card will at most take about 10 days for your card to arrived in the mail. Unless you have to travel ASAP, make an info pass and request that an IO stamp your passport.

For most people, there is this anxiety about requesting a stamp in your passport... and most IO just refuse to do it...

[Triple Citizen]

Local office's policy. Officer's personal stance on the issue.

Originally Posted by kj2007

If not, why do some get it and others do not?

[Jackolantern]

A few years ago, the card used to take months after approval to arrive. Nowadays for most people the card comes within a couple of weeks, so getting the stamp is usually unnecessary, and they will often refuse to give you a stamp if they expect the card will be sent to you soon. You normally have to be waiting for at least 30 days without receiving the card before they will stamp your passport.

Note that if you have advance parole, you can use it to reenter the US at least for a short time post-approval if you didn't receive the card nor a passport stamp before leaving the US. I'm not sure how much time post-GC the AP can be used, but I know of people having done it for a trip of a month without a problem.