I returned from Pakistan on Wednesday. The port of entry was Houston. The immigration took less than a minute. The officer scanned my Green Card and that was it. He didn’t even open my passport. After I collected my bags from baggage claim, I realized that the officer didn’t stamp my passport for the entry into the U.S. I went back upstairs and spoke to a different officer. He said it was not required. He said I didn’t even have to have a passport to enter into the States if I was a permanant resident carrying a Green Card. I told him that I always thought it was necessary to have an entry stamp because it is used as a proof for our stay in the U.S when applying for citizenship. I also showed him the previous two stamps on my passport. He then stamped my passport. I went thru custom afterwards and took my connecting flight to dallas.
Any similar experiences of not getting the entry stamp? Any idea on whether the entry stamp is required for Citizenship?
Re: Entry stamp on the passport upong returning from a trip abroad
I know they will ask to see your passport to make sure you stayed in america, did not leave for long periods. Good for you for making sure you got the stamp!
I am a US citizen and I also noticed my US passport does not have an entry stamp when I came back from Pakistan to JFK (New York) from a trip. Will this be an issue? I am planning another trip this year with the same passport. . Thanks.
Re: Entry stamp on the passport upong returning from a trip abroad
I don't know about the US, but in most airports in Europe do not stamp European passports on exit or entry. I used to travel a lot within Europe when I was living there and the only stamps I had in my passport were entry/exit from Pakistan. :)
Now that I live Dubai and travel a lot within the Middle East, I will probably have to apply for a fresh passport soon, because I'm running out of empty pages. And that even though my passport is still valid until 2015!!!
I don't know about the US, but in most airports in Europe do not stamp European passports on exit or entry. I used to travel a lot within Europe when I was living there and the only stamps I had in my passport were entry/exit from Pakistan. :)
Now that I live Dubai and travel a lot within the Middle East, I will probably have to apply for a fresh passport soon, because I'm running out of empty pages. And that even though my passport is still valid until 2015!!!
I think you wont need NewPassport or ExtraPages on your Stamp on your Passport , as the Card System (Emirates Identity Card) Holder will not need their passport be stamped for entry/Exit to UAE.
Ya,
But for Pakistan or other countries you may need BLANK PASSPORT PAGES.
Anyone please - I am a US citizen and I also noticed my US passport does not have an entry stamp when I came back from Pakistan to JFK (New York) from a trip. Will this be an issue? I am planning another trip this year with the same passport. Thanks.
I think you wont need NewPassport or ExtraPages on your Stamp on your Passport , as the Card System (Emirates Identity Card) Holder will not need their passport be stamped for entry/Exit to UAE.
Ya,
But for Pakistan or other countries you may need BLANK PASSPORT PAGES.
I have had an e-Gate card for Dubai Airport for more than 3 years. But that only helps me to avoid the entry/exit stamps in the UAE. Everyone else in the Middle East and in Asia still stamps my passport.
Without the e-Gate card my passport would probably be full already.