I-94W Visa Waiver

Hi,

Just noticed that my I-94W Departure card is still stapled in my passport! VS check in forgot to take all of ours out when we came home a few weeks ago.

US Embassy ebsite says you have to write in and prove you have left etc but another colleague says it happens a lot and he never gets questioned when re-entering the USA.

Has anyone else had this happen before?

Thanks

[HighFlyer]

Hiya

Yes i have had it happen before. This query came up on the board before (see here for one instance) and there is a great consensus on whether to remove the offending piece of paper or leave it there.

I left mine in once and had a right royal questioning about when i left the US. Didnt seem to occur to them that as i was trying to re-enter that i had obviously left at some point. I also had one left in on another trip and it was ripped out and not a word said.

The sensible thing would probably be to follow the procedure of writing to them and sending it back, but im not one to be sensible so probably wouldnt bother. I would likely leave it in there and let customs slap my wrist on my next visit to the US of A

Thanks Highflyer,

I did a search but no results were found. Someone can lock this down now if they want.

Thanks

[preiffer]

When was the entry date on the card - will you re-enter before 90 days expire? If so, you're fine. If not, you CAN send it to the embassy - there's a procedure on their website for it.

[HighFlyer]

there's a procedure on their website for it.

Try [url=
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/cbp/i94.html]here[/url]

Makes for interesting reading, particularly where you are asked to give 'a letter of explanation and evidence of your departure from the U.S'

[preiffer]

Indeed. They KNOW you've left, anyway - through many things:

* The check-out DHS machines that are now being introduced.
* The scan of your passport by the check-in agent which is passed to the US Gov't
* The Passenger manifest list - as above
* The fact you've just arrived on a plane from London - how did you get on that plane if you never LEFT?! [ii]


Anyway, anger at ridiculousness over... The green slip IS important, despite all of the above [:(]

Indeed it seems daft sometimes. But my advice is to do exactly as they request (follow Highflyer's link). I have heard too many horror stories of people being questioned for hours and/or denied entry because of this. Send the form back to the US, complete with your boarding card stub and an explanatory letter. Keep photocopies of the card, your boarding card and the letter and any other pieces of paper within 10 yards of you at the time. Be prepared for questions to be asked next time you visit.

Then again, I've heard several instances of people breezing through with no problem at all...

Best to be safe though.

Chris

Hi Jamie,

i have had the same thing happen to me, all i did was send my boarding card, recipt for the purchase of my ticket and a bank statement oh and not to forget your I-94W slip along with a letter to the USCIS.

I also took copys of all doc's and the letter i sent just in case i had problems at immagration.

HTH

Phil

I've had it left in a couple of times, the first time I was returning about 13weeks after I originally left so sent it back to the address in KY from the UK. The second time it happened I was returning to the US within 90 days and removed it before my next entry into the country. I then mailed it to the address in KY.

As someone said, it's been spoken about before - but I did the upright citizen thing and sent off a letter, along with prrof that I'd left the country. I asked them (whoever 'they' are ) to acknowledge receipt by email - but naturally, never did a reply to such a request arrive. I had no problems when I went back to the US, but I admit that, before we elft, we briefed friends we were meeting there about the situation - and that, if we didn't show up - we would likely be talking to the good people at immigration.

But what really strieks me in all this - as in so many things it seems - it's likely to be the people who play it straight down the line who get singled out for questioning, even though totally innocent. Sigh - politics huh? Pass it all over to the womenfolk - we'll get it sorted in 30 minutes flat, have a coffee or glass of wine (maybe both) and then go shopping.