Traveling to the United States or returning from a trip? A sudden change in the immigration process for arrivals may catch you off guard. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially ended the long-time tradition of stamping passports, following an announcement on October 1, 2026. Outlined in a bulletin, the decision is part of a broader change aimed at improving travelers’ experience on arrival in the US.
USA ends passport stamps for inbound travelers; Why
CBP, a federal law enforcement agency, described passport stamping as an obsolete practice in view of facial biometric and automation technology. It unnecessarily consumes time and incurs costs. The decision to eliminate passport stamping from the arrival process aims to reduce operating costs and save time for CBP officers during busy travel times of the year. This is one of the thoughtful initiatives by CBP to modernize operations and optimize resources.
Do passport stamps disappear entirely from US airports?
No. Admission stamps on the arriving travelers’ passports cease only during primary screening – the first CBP checkpoint that you go through on arrival. The CBP confirmed that you may still get admission stamp during secondary screening if you go through further checks. Even some unprecedented situations at the initial stage of CBP inspection may get your passport stamped.
Passport stamps are still crucial for US immigrants and visa holders
Though passport stamping is a routine procedure, it physically records the arrival of Green Card and visa holders after a period of travel and/or stay abroad. Precisely, it is physical proof of their legal entry into USA. At the same time, the CBP’s electronic I-94 system automatically records their entry and exit.
With the phased elimination of passport stamping, the electronic I-94 Form becomes the main proof of entry into the US, exit from the US, and authorized duration of stay in the US for B1/B2 tourists, non-immigrant visa holders, Green Card holders and other US immigrants. Not visa validity, but Form I-94 decides your length of stay in the US, and shows how long you have been outside the US during an international trip.
What if CBP’s I-94 system does not log your US entry timely or accurately due to electronic failure or some other reason? In such unprecedented events, passport stamps are required as physical evidence of your admission into the US. For instance, a Green Card holder returns to the US after 158 days of stay abroad. If the I-94 system does not log your entry on time, your absence from the US will accrue beyond 158 days – which is likely to put your LPR status at risk according to Green Card Travel Rules, said Sourav Agarwal, Senior Editor at IndianEagle.com.
Can you request a passport stamp when entering the US?
While making the official announcement to end passport stamping, the CBP said that personal requests for a stamp would be honored. If you want to keep a physical record of your entry to USA, a CBP officer will stamp your passport on request.
