The United States’ new entry regulations have come into effect. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the discontinuation of routine passport stamping for arriving travelers starting from October 1st. Instead, travelers entering the U.S. must confirm their approved length of stay on the I-94 or CBP Link App to avoid overstaying their welcome.
CBP cited cost reduction and shorter entry inspection times as reasons for the elimination of passport stamping. Upon entry, travelers can check their “Admit Until Date” on the official CBP I-94 website or CBP Link App. This date signifies the approved duration of stay in the U.S. and should not be confused with the validity period of the visa.
In addition to checking entry permits, travelers can also access their entry records from the past five years. If unable to retrieve their I-94 entry record on the CBP I-94 website or CBP Link App, individuals can seek assistance from the local CBP office.
While entry stamps are generally being phased out, CBP may still stamp passports in certain circumstances such as for additional inspections, arrivals with immigrant visas, or upon a traveler’s request.
CBP recently launched the new Trusted Traveler App, consolidating services such as NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, and Global Entry onto a single platform for travelers’ convenience. The app is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play.
Global Entry App users can seamlessly transition to the new app by logging in with their existing account credentials. Personal information and membership details will also be carried over. Presently, 85 airports already support this new app.
Moreover, CBP has proposed the implementation of facial recognition systems at the 30 busiest Global Entry airports across the U.S. This technology aims to verify the match between the individual and their identity, expediting the inspection process for Global Entry members.
Among the airports earmarked for this upgrade are JFK International Airport in New York, Boston Logan International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Miami International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
This article references official announcements from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and reports from travel website TheTravel.