US Visit programme
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Brighton England
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US Visit programme
When leaving SFO on friday i used a US Visit machine for the first time to check out of the country. When i was done it printed me out a receipt with my name on it. What if anything am i supposed to do with this piece of paper?
I had already handed in my I94W.
Any advice appreciated!!
I had already handed in my I94W.
Any advice appreciated!!
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SDJ (Sendai, Japan)
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I (as well as many other people) have the same question and my guess is: for the moment, we don't have to do anything with that paper; just keep it. I even re-entered the US with the same visa after exiting the US by using that machine, but nobody asked anything about the paper. In addition, my wife exited and re-entered with me but never used the machine - yet, she wasn't asked anything.
#3
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Join Date: May 2000
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I'd keep it available as proof that you left when you were supposed to. Because sometime, for someone, that data is going to get messed up, then when they try to come back into the country or try to leave again, DHS is going to try to lock that person up claiming they overstayed their visa.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Originally Posted by Doppy
I'd keep it available as proof that you left when you were supposed to. Because sometime, for someone, that data is going to get messed up, then when they try to come back into the country or try to leave again, DHS is going to try to lock that person up claiming they overstayed their visa.
#6
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Originally Posted by Doppy
There are plenty of people "locked up" right now for visa overstays.
Probably not the most likely of events, but stranger things have happened.
Probably not the most likely of events, but stranger things have happened.
#7
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If you check-in for your Int'l departing flight and use the console to 'check out' of the country for US Visit (including turning in your I94 at check-in), and don't board the flight, how do they really know you left the country or not, especially if the console spits out a receipt that says you did.
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
If you check-in for your Int'l departing flight and use the console to 'check out' of the country for US Visit (including turning in your I94 at check-in), and don't board the flight, how do they really know you left the country or not, especially if the console spits out a receipt that says you did.
Thats what i wondered, i assume they know because you hand in your i94w which is attached to your ticket when you board the plane. If thats the case what are the machines for? On some occasions the i94w has been taken at the check-in desk and sometimes ive gone back outside for a cigarette after going through security, then gone back through again. I could easily have used the machine, then gone outside again.It just doesnt make sense.
#10

Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 5,735
Originally Posted by Gatwick Alan
Thats what i wondered, i assume they know because you hand in your i94w which is attached to your ticket when you board the plane. If thats the case what are the machines for? On some occasions the i94w has been taken at the check-in desk and sometimes ive gone back outside for a cigarette after going through security, then gone back through again. I could easily have used the machine, then gone outside again.It just doesnt make sense.
#11
Join Date: May 2002
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Originally Posted by nd_eric_77
I do think the paper could be valuable for preventing future mix-ups, however I don't think a person in such a situation would be "locked up". More likely repatriated to his or her home country (and possibly disallowed re-entry to the US for either 3 or 10 yrs). Granted this is not a pleasant turn of events either, but it is not quite as harsh as being thrown in jail.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346715
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/16/politics/16visa.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266392
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3106039
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265010
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...n13border.html
And this just in:
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,...744952,00.html
#12
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When an Israeli re-enters Israel, he has two possibilities:
1. He can stand on line for passport control.
2. If he is pre-registered and has a special card, he can swipe it in a machine, have his hand checked against the records, and re-enter. (This is much quicker.)
If he uses option # 1, he is handed a piece of paper by the passport control officer. He then walks about 10 meters and gives it back to a second passport control officer. I have never figured out the logic behind that.
If he uses option # 2, the machine gives him a piece of paper, he walks the same 10 meters, but this time is allowed to keep the piece of paper. I have never figured out what I am supposed to do with it.
1. He can stand on line for passport control.
2. If he is pre-registered and has a special card, he can swipe it in a machine, have his hand checked against the records, and re-enter. (This is much quicker.)
If he uses option # 1, he is handed a piece of paper by the passport control officer. He then walks about 10 meters and gives it back to a second passport control officer. I have never figured out the logic behind that.
If he uses option # 2, the machine gives him a piece of paper, he walks the same 10 meters, but this time is allowed to keep the piece of paper. I have never figured out what I am supposed to do with it.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: Vanishing
Posts: 1,681
Originally Posted by Dovster
When an Israeli re-enters Israel, he has two possibilities:
1. He can stand on line for passport control.
2. If he is pre-registered and has a special card, he can swipe it in a machine, have his hand checked against the records, and re-enter. (This is much quicker.)
If he uses option # 1, he is handed a piece of paper by the passport control officer. He then walks about 10 meters and gives it back to a second passport control officer. I have never figured out the logic behind that.
If he uses option # 2, the machine gives him a piece of paper, he walks the same 10 meters, but this time is allowed to keep the piece of paper. I have never figured out what I am supposed to do with it.
1. He can stand on line for passport control.
2. If he is pre-registered and has a special card, he can swipe it in a machine, have his hand checked against the records, and re-enter. (This is much quicker.)
If he uses option # 1, he is handed a piece of paper by the passport control officer. He then walks about 10 meters and gives it back to a second passport control officer. I have never figured out the logic behind that.
If he uses option # 2, the machine gives him a piece of paper, he walks the same 10 meters, but this time is allowed to keep the piece of paper. I have never figured out what I am supposed to do with it.

