CBP Discontinues Passport Stamps for Travelers Entering US

January 17, 2023

Traditionally, a foreign nationals entering the United States by air or sea used to receive a passport entrance stamp or a Form I-94 (record of admission) following a document inspection at the Port of Entry (POE). Once CBP switched from using paper copies of I-94 to electronic ones, the only physical record provided to the foreign national was the passport stamp placed at the POE. This stamp includes the entry point’s location, the date of arrival, the entry category, and the length of time the foreign national is allowed to stay.

Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that it is expanding a pilot program to do away with passport stamps for foreign nationals arriving in the U.S. The ink stamp, not the “visa stamp” applied to passports by an embassy or consulate of the United States, is the record that is being removed. Travelers must still get a visa that indicates their eligibility for entrance for a particular purpose, unless exempt.

Travelers entering through the following Port of Entry should be aware of this new change:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is located in Atlanta.
  • Logan International Airport in Boston (BOS)
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC)
  • H’Hare International Airport in Chicago (ORD)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Dublin Airport (DUB)
  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montréal (YUL)
  • JFK International Airport in New York
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-(SeaTac) (SEA)
  • Pearson International Airport in Toronto (YYZ)
  • Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Besides these airport, the pilot program will also be expanded to the land ports of entry at Buffalo, Detroit, El Paso, Laredo, San Diego, Seattle, and Tucson.

If you recently entered the US and have questions about this, please consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

Posted in B-1 Visitor Visa, B-2 Visitor Visa, Citizenship, General, H-1B Work Visa, L-1 Visa, R-1 Religious Worker, Student Visa, TN Professional