U.S. Travel Alert: CBP Ends Passport Stamps — Check Your I-94

In accordance with operational updates from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), routine passport stamping at primary inspection booths has been discontinued across U.S. air and sea ports of entry.

As immigration records transition entirely to a digital framework, travel managers and corporate travelers must adapt their post-arrival verification and compliance procedures. Below is an operational overview prepared by our travel management advisory team.

CBP Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) Bulletin: Admission Stamp Elimination (PDF)

• Electronic Form I-94 is the Sole Legal ProofAn ink stamp in a passport is no longer required or routinely issued to establish lawful admission. An electronic Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) serves as the official and legal evidence of a traveler’s immigration status and authorized period of stay.
   
• Applies to Visa Holders and ESTA Travelers AlikeThis elimination applies broadly to all traveler classifications entering through primary inspection, including business travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) and nonimmigrant visa holders (e.g., L-1, E-2, H-1B, B-1).

1. Immediate Online I-94 Verification is Mandatory

Travelers must verify their electronic I-94 record immediately upon arrival via the official CBP portal .

Clerical discrepancies regarding the Class of Admission or the “Admit Until Date” can occasionally occur. Early detection is critical to correcting errors with deferred inspection before status violations arise.
 

2. Passport Stamps Are Not Guaranteed (Officer Discretion)

While regulatory bulletins may note that a physical stamp can be requested, fulfillment is strictly at the individual CBP officer’s discretion.

In practice, officers frequently decline requests, and many inspection kiosks or booths are no longer equipped with physical ink stamps. Corporate travel policies should not rely on obtaining a physical stamp.
 

3. Retain Boarding Passes as Documentary Evidence

In the absence of a passport stamp, secondary proof of entry and transit dates remains vital for corporate expense reporting, tax compliance, and future visa processing. Travelers should systematically retain electronic or physical boarding passes for all legs of their itinerary.

A streamlined summary of suggested steps before and after travel:

• Before Departure:
  • Remind travelers that routine passport stamps will no longer be issued upon entry (an unstamped passport is completely normal).
  • Provide the CBP I-94 retrieval link in pre-trip briefings.

   

• Upon Arrival (Travelers):
  • Access the I-94 portal to verify name, visa class, and authorized stay date.
  • Save a digital copy or screenshot of the record for peace of mind.

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Official Bulletin:CBP Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) Bulletin: Admission Stamp Elimination (PDF)
• Form I-94 Official Retrieval Portal:U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Official I-94 Website

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