Originally Posted by polonius

I had a similar problem with Canada -- they are very lackadaisical about stamping your passport, but then when because of this is it appears you have overstayed, they come down on you like a ton of bricks. I had to do through all kinds of hassle a few years ago to prove I had left a few days after I arrived when I got no exit stamp and that I hadn't, in fact, overstayed by 18 months. Subsequently, I have insisted on entry and exit stamps every time I go in or out, but sometimes they act like it is SUCH a burden on them, yet when you don't have the stamp, it's all your fault if you didn't insist on it.