As a United States citizen with a passport, are you required to show any proof of leaving when you re-enter?
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What are the requirements for re-entry into the United States as an US citizen with a passport?
Are you required to show proof of leaving the US, to begin with?
If so what will happen if you lost or don't have any proof of leaving the US?Are there differences between air entry vs land entry?
air-travel passports us-citizens
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
What are the requirements for re-entry into the United States as an US citizen with a passport?
Are you required to show proof of leaving the US, to begin with?
If so what will happen if you lost or don't have any proof of leaving the US?Are there differences between air entry vs land entry?
air-travel passports us-citizens
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
1
Have you considered that some US citizens are born outside the US?
– phoog
Aug 13 at 23:58
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
What are the requirements for re-entry into the United States as an US citizen with a passport?
Are you required to show proof of leaving the US, to begin with?
If so what will happen if you lost or don't have any proof of leaving the US?Are there differences between air entry vs land entry?
air-travel passports us-citizens
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
What are the requirements for re-entry into the United States as an US citizen with a passport?
Are you required to show proof of leaving the US, to begin with?
If so what will happen if you lost or don't have any proof of leaving the US?Are there differences between air entry vs land entry?
air-travel passports us-citizens
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
edited Aug 13 at 23:47
Arpit Bajpai
746220
746220
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
asked Aug 13 at 23:29
Ellon Musk
111
111
1
Have you considered that some US citizens are born outside the US?
– phoog
Aug 13 at 23:58
add a comment |Â
1
Have you considered that some US citizens are born outside the US?
– phoog
Aug 13 at 23:58
1
1
Have you considered that some US citizens are born outside the US?
– phoog
Aug 13 at 23:58
Have you considered that some US citizens are born outside the US?
– phoog
Aug 13 at 23:58
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
No. There is not such requirement because the U.S. is among a handful of countries that does not have exit immigration. Although they do get some data, it is not complete and therefore proof of exit may not exist in some cases.
This is particularly the case with land borders. I have crossed the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders several times. When crossing into Canada, you go directly to Canadian immigration. They share some data with U.S. immigration but not with the person crossing, so you would not get proof of exist. Going to Mexico, you may not even go through Mexican immigration, only cross the yellow line delimiting the US and Mexico. When I crossed the border at Tijuana, there was only an official standing there that said Welcome to Mexico and that was it. No passport checks, let alone an exist stamp.
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
1
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
The requirement for a US citizen entering the United States is to present a US passport. This passport establishes your citizenship, and the immigration department is required to admit US citizens if they can prove their citizenship. (There are some exceptions, see Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.)
US citizens are not required to show proof of leaving. A US citizen may leave the US at any time without telling anybody.
There are some differences between air and land entry, see the WHTI link above.
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
1
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
No. There is not such requirement because the U.S. is among a handful of countries that does not have exit immigration. Although they do get some data, it is not complete and therefore proof of exit may not exist in some cases.
This is particularly the case with land borders. I have crossed the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders several times. When crossing into Canada, you go directly to Canadian immigration. They share some data with U.S. immigration but not with the person crossing, so you would not get proof of exist. Going to Mexico, you may not even go through Mexican immigration, only cross the yellow line delimiting the US and Mexico. When I crossed the border at Tijuana, there was only an official standing there that said Welcome to Mexico and that was it. No passport checks, let alone an exist stamp.
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
1
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
No. There is not such requirement because the U.S. is among a handful of countries that does not have exit immigration. Although they do get some data, it is not complete and therefore proof of exit may not exist in some cases.
This is particularly the case with land borders. I have crossed the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders several times. When crossing into Canada, you go directly to Canadian immigration. They share some data with U.S. immigration but not with the person crossing, so you would not get proof of exist. Going to Mexico, you may not even go through Mexican immigration, only cross the yellow line delimiting the US and Mexico. When I crossed the border at Tijuana, there was only an official standing there that said Welcome to Mexico and that was it. No passport checks, let alone an exist stamp.
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
1
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
No. There is not such requirement because the U.S. is among a handful of countries that does not have exit immigration. Although they do get some data, it is not complete and therefore proof of exit may not exist in some cases.
This is particularly the case with land borders. I have crossed the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders several times. When crossing into Canada, you go directly to Canadian immigration. They share some data with U.S. immigration but not with the person crossing, so you would not get proof of exist. Going to Mexico, you may not even go through Mexican immigration, only cross the yellow line delimiting the US and Mexico. When I crossed the border at Tijuana, there was only an official standing there that said Welcome to Mexico and that was it. No passport checks, let alone an exist stamp.
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
No. There is not such requirement because the U.S. is among a handful of countries that does not have exit immigration. Although they do get some data, it is not complete and therefore proof of exit may not exist in some cases.
This is particularly the case with land borders. I have crossed the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders several times. When crossing into Canada, you go directly to Canadian immigration. They share some data with U.S. immigration but not with the person crossing, so you would not get proof of exist. Going to Mexico, you may not even go through Mexican immigration, only cross the yellow line delimiting the US and Mexico. When I crossed the border at Tijuana, there was only an official standing there that said Welcome to Mexico and that was it. No passport checks, let alone an exist stamp.
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
edited Aug 14 at 5:03
gparyani
1,4711133
1,4711133
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
answered Aug 13 at 23:41
Itai
27.4k861139
27.4k861139
1
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
add a comment |Â
1
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
1
1
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Where did you get the list of countries without exit immigration? I know for a fact that New Zealand does, so I'm curious whether some of the other countries in your list are correct.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 13 at 23:46
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Australia also has exit immigration.
– k2moo4
Aug 13 at 23:52
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Out-of-date info, sorry. I know the ones remaining do not. They are listed in Wikipedia and I've been to them, so can confirm these ones at least. In fact, this includes some British territories. Turks and Caicos, where I was earlier this month, also has no exit immigration.
– Itai
Aug 14 at 0:54
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
Mexico has no exit immigration either...
– gparyani
Aug 14 at 4:38
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
The requirement for a US citizen entering the United States is to present a US passport. This passport establishes your citizenship, and the immigration department is required to admit US citizens if they can prove their citizenship. (There are some exceptions, see Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.)
US citizens are not required to show proof of leaving. A US citizen may leave the US at any time without telling anybody.
There are some differences between air and land entry, see the WHTI link above.
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
1
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
The requirement for a US citizen entering the United States is to present a US passport. This passport establishes your citizenship, and the immigration department is required to admit US citizens if they can prove their citizenship. (There are some exceptions, see Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.)
US citizens are not required to show proof of leaving. A US citizen may leave the US at any time without telling anybody.
There are some differences between air and land entry, see the WHTI link above.
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
1
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
The requirement for a US citizen entering the United States is to present a US passport. This passport establishes your citizenship, and the immigration department is required to admit US citizens if they can prove their citizenship. (There are some exceptions, see Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.)
US citizens are not required to show proof of leaving. A US citizen may leave the US at any time without telling anybody.
There are some differences between air and land entry, see the WHTI link above.
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
The requirement for a US citizen entering the United States is to present a US passport. This passport establishes your citizenship, and the immigration department is required to admit US citizens if they can prove their citizenship. (There are some exceptions, see Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.)
US citizens are not required to show proof of leaving. A US citizen may leave the US at any time without telling anybody.
There are some differences between air and land entry, see the WHTI link above.
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
edited Aug 13 at 23:51
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
answered Aug 13 at 23:45
Greg Hewgill
22.3k15884
22.3k15884
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
1
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
1
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
... and in any case, the fact that the citizen is now seeking entry is incontrovertible proof, should one be desired, that they must have left at some point (unless the passport they present was issued abroad).
– Henning Makholm
Aug 13 at 23:52
1
1
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
There are no "exceptions". If a US citizens manages to arrive at a US port of entry and can prove their US citizenship, they must be admitted, with or without a passport or any other specific document. However, if they are arriving by carrier (airplane or boat), that carrier is supposed to deny them boarding if they don't have the proper documents.
– user102008
Aug 14 at 15:19
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
@user102008: I meant there are exceptions to requiring a passport. Presenting a document other than a passport to establish citizenship is an exception.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 14 at 18:40
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
Nit: unless you the US citizen are charged with a crime; then the court will usually prohibit you from traveling outside its district, much less the country. And the same usually if you are on probation or parole after conviction.
– dave_thompson_085
Aug 14 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
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1
Have you considered that some US citizens are born outside the US?
– phoog
Aug 13 at 23:58