do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
#1
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 248
do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
OK I have read a number of threads and believe I am right in saying that when I eventually manage to pluck up the courage to go to the UK for a 2 week holiday (I absolutely hate flying), I only need my valid passport and my GC to re-enter the US. I don't need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation because I am a LPR, right? I have had my GC for 3 years and have never left US soil for 10 years. My present status is not, and has never been, stamped in my passport. The reason I am asking this is that when I tried to tell my friend, he replied that when he travelled to his home country, Ghana, he had to go to the US embassy to have his passport stamped with his status before returning to the US (he too is a GC holder). The reason, he said, is that the rules have changed.
A little bit of me thinks that maybe 'the rules" are alternatively applied to people from non vw countries.
Although it could be that my friend is a belts and braces man. ie leaving nothing to chance.
Would I really need to send my passport and GC to the US embassy in the UK to be stamped with my status, once I am in the UK?
Sorry if this question is seen as "Oh Christ not again". I had the idea of phoning the embassy but they want your credit card number!!!
A little bit of me thinks that maybe 'the rules" are alternatively applied to people from non vw countries.
Although it could be that my friend is a belts and braces man. ie leaving nothing to chance.
Would I really need to send my passport and GC to the US embassy in the UK to be stamped with my status, once I am in the UK?
Sorry if this question is seen as "Oh Christ not again". I had the idea of phoning the embassy but they want your credit card number!!!
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Suburban Houston, TX
Posts: 246
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
You are right. Some one will elaborate soon.
No you don't have to do anything.
No you don't have to do anything.
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
Correct.
Correct.
Why should it be? You have a GC... and that is proof of your status.
Rubbish! The rules haven't changed that much!
No!
Ian
I don't need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation because I am a LPR, right?
My present status is not, and has never been, stamped in my passport.
The reason, he said, is that the rules have changed.
Would I really need to send my passport and GC to the US embassy in the UK to be stamped with my status, once I am in the UK?
Ian
#4
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
Correct, but as I found out recently checking in online for your return leg can be tricky as many airline websites will think you need ESTA and can't differentiate from PRs. You just have to check in at the airport using an agent.
#5
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
OK I have read a number of threads and believe I am right in saying that when I eventually manage to pluck up the courage to go to the UK for a 2 week holiday (I absolutely hate flying), I only need my valid passport and my GC to re-enter the US. I don't need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation because I am a LPR, right? I have had my GC for 3 years and have never left US soil for 10 years. My present status is not, and has never been, stamped in my passport. The reason I am asking this is that when I tried to tell my friend, he replied that when he travelled to his home country, Ghana, he had to go to the US embassy to have his passport stamped with his status before returning to the US (he too is a GC holder). The reason, he said, is that the rules have changed.
A little bit of me thinks that maybe 'the rules" are alternatively applied to people from non vw countries.
Although it could be that my friend is a belts and braces man. ie leaving nothing to chance.
Would I really need to send my passport and GC to the US embassy in the UK to be stamped with my status, once I am in the UK?
Sorry if this question is seen as "Oh Christ not again". I had the idea of phoning the embassy but they want your credit card number!!!
A little bit of me thinks that maybe 'the rules" are alternatively applied to people from non vw countries.
Although it could be that my friend is a belts and braces man. ie leaving nothing to chance.
Would I really need to send my passport and GC to the US embassy in the UK to be stamped with my status, once I am in the UK?
Sorry if this question is seen as "Oh Christ not again". I had the idea of phoning the embassy but they want your credit card number!!!
Your friend's situation was probably different from yours in a couple of ways. Whatever the case (we could guess all week), it is not necessary for YOU to get anything in your passport.
There is nothing the US Embassy in the UK can or will put in your passport (your friend may have applied for a visa, which does need to be stamped in the Embassy).
Instead of copying them over here I will just post a link to some links: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Immigrant_Visa_Arrival At the bottom of that article are several links for topics about your Permanent Resident status. I think you should read them to put your mind at ease and so that you understand what your rights and responsibilities are as a PR. The International Travel as a Permanent Resident one will be especially interesting for you, but the others are good too.
#6
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 248
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
#7
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
The reason I am asking this is that when I tried to tell my friend, he replied that when he travelled to his home country, Ghana, he had to go to the US embassy to have his passport stamped with his status before returning to the US (he too is a GC holder). The reason, he said, is that the rules have changed.
Might be time to consider becoming a US citizen if you have been so long in the United States, would make your life easier in a variety of ways.
#8
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
I can see how these changes got twisted around a tad in lay discussions.
#9
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Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Boston / Guipúzcoa
Posts: 718
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
Right. Maybe the friend didn't have his actual card yet. If not, he would need some other proof of his status. And the I-551 stamp in your passport can be that proof. You get that at a USCIS office in the US, though. Not at a US embassy.
- Eric S.
- Eric S.
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 248
Re: do I have to have my LPR status stamped in my passport?
To the poster who suggested I apply for citizenship, this is my intention once I have had my GC for 5 years.
Thanks once again for all who took the time to respond to my query. It is very much appreciated.