Originally Posted by
emcampbe
You were probably inserting the greencard the wrong way. Machine readable code (back bottom side of the card) has to be in the same way that it is on a passport. But card definitely has to be face up (IIRC, with the top of the card towards you, but its been a while, so I could be wrong).
There are multiple versions of green cards out there.
My green card has the machine readable code on the front (same side as the photo of me). See:
There are (newer?) green cards that have the machine readable code on the side opposite the photo: See:
Originally Posted by
emcampbe
Yes, there is always a manual entry button on the screen as well you can choose.
I've only been presented that option when a kiosk failed to read my green card.
But that option would be unlikely to be presented when an LPR presented a passport.
Note that by law (which CBP routinely violates) a green card holder only has to present a green card. Not a passport.
Originally Posted by
AlphaTango
IME, the newer, flatter blue GE kiosks do not read the green card at all. The older grey kiosks do.
Manual entry of the number always works though - just click "Problem reading document" and enter the 9 digit A#. Quicker than scanning, IMO.
I haven't paid attention to the color of the kiosks. Only had the problem with the kiosk once, and thus entered the A# manually. Was no problem. Not sure why the USA requires us to have the green card on our persons if they aren't going to read it.