Passport stamp

Passport stamps from the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on a Philippine passport. All dates from the passport stamps of Saudi Arabia are written in the Hijra Calendar.

A passport stamp is a rubber stamp inked impression received in one's passport upon entering or exiting a country. Passport stamps may occasionally take the form of sticker stamps, such as entry stamps from Japan. Depending on nationality, a visitor may not receive a stamp (unless specifically requested), such as an EU/EFTA citizen travelling to an EU/EFTA country, Albania or Macedonia. Most countries issue exit stamps in addition to entry stamps. A few countries issue only entry stamps, including Australia, Canada, United States, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, South Korea and El Salvador. Hong Kong, Macau, and Israel do not stamp passports upon entry nor exit, but issue landing slips instead. Visas may also take the form of passport stamps.

Use

Immigration authorities usually place stamps in passports at a port of entry or border crossing, as part of their immigration control or customs procedures. This endorsement can serve many different purposes. In the United Kingdom the immigration stamp in the passport includes the formal "leave to enter" granted on entry to the country to a person who is subject to immigration control. Alternatively, the stamps activates and/or acknowledges the continuing leave conferred in the individual's entry clearance. Other authorities, such as those in Schengen Member States, simply stamp a passport with a date stamp that does not indicate any duration and this stamp is taken to mean either that the person is deemed to have permission to remain for three months or an alternative period as shown on their visa. In Japan, the passport entry sticker also contains a QR code that allows the immigration official to electronically collect information related to that entry.

Most countries have different stamps for arrivals and departures to make it easier for officers to quickly identify the movements of the person concerned. The colour of the ink or the style of stamp may also provide such information.

In many cases passengers on cruise ships do not receive passport stamps because the entire vessel has been cleared into port. It is often possible to get a souvenir stamp, though requires finding the immigration office by the dock. In many cases officials are used to such requests and will cooperate. Also, as noted below, some of the smallest European countries will give a stamp on request, either at their border or tourist office, charging at most a nominal fee.

Overview of passport stamps of countries

Asia

Bangladesh

Entry and exit stamps are sealed on passports for all citizens upon arrival at or departure from Bangladesh. Handwritten scroll numbers on the stamp make it easier to track a person's complete journey - a Bangladeshi leaving Bangladesh would receive a scroll number upon exit; upon entry, the scroll number would be used to summon related journey information of the traveler. The same is the case for foreigners, except that the scroll number is given on entry and then used on exit.

The stamps are always in black except the date, which is in red. The stamps contain an arrow exiting a door to denote departure or an arrow entering a door for arrival on the top left corner, and the image of the mode of transportation on the top right corner.

Rectangular stamps for entry and oval stamps for exit make it visually easier to trace movements.

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  Entry and exit stamps at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Bangladeshi passport.
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  Bangladeshi visa in a U.S. passport.

Bahrain

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  Bahrain entry stamp obtained at Bahrain International Airport.
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  Bahrain exit stamp obtained at Bahrain International Airport.

Cambodia

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  Entry stamp at Bavet land border crossing on the Cambodia-Vietnam border.
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  Pre-sticker visas together with older type of passport stamps at Siem Reap airport.
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  Exit stamp issued at Siem Reap International Airport

China

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  Entry stamp at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in an old People's Republic of China passport.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Dongguan in an old People's Republic of China passport.
  (Noted that there were no English on stamps.)
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  Entry and exit stamps at Fuzhou Changle International Airport in an old Thai passport.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in a Thai passport.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on an Italian passport.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Beijing Capital International Airport in a Republic of Korea passport.

Hong Kong Special Adimistration Region

The Hong Kong Immigration Department used to stamp the passports of visitors entering and leaving Hong Kong (residents using their Hong Kong Identity Card did not receive a stamp). Just prior to and after the 1997 transfer of sovereignty from the UK to the People's Republic of China, arrival and departure stamps were identical at all ports of entry.

For the next 15 years or so, the ink colour of the stamp differentiated the administrative division of the point of entry:

• Stamps issued within New Territories (Sha Tau Kok Control Point, Man Kam To Control Point, Lo Wu Control Point, Lok Ma Chau Control Point, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Control Point by land, Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal Control Point by sea) are in red ink.
• Stamps issued within Kowloon (Hung Hom Control Point by trains, Ocean Terminal Control Point and China Ferry Terminal Control Point by sea) are in green ink.
• Stamps issued within Hong Kong Island (Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal Control Point, by either sea or air) are in purple ink.
• Stamps issued within Islands District (Hong Kong International Airport Control Point by air) are in black ink.

Beginning 19 March 2013, landing slips are issued to visitors on arrival in Hong Kong instead of passport stamps, and on departure from Hong Kong no slips or passport stamps are issued (being unable to present the landing slip on departure does not affect a traveller's ability to clear immigration). However, in exceptional circumstances, stamps may still be applied.

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  Entry stamp at Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal in a Thai passport.
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  Exit stamp at Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal in a Thai passport.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong – Macau Ferry Terminal in a U.S. passport.
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  Old style entry and exit stamps at Hong Kong International Airport and Lo Wu Control Point in an old Thai passport.
  (Noted that there were no Bauhinia on stamps and exit stamps were in oval.)
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  Landing slip since March 2013

India

India uses the differentiation in passport stamp colours - entry in blue, exit in red - to quickly trace a passenger's movements. The stamp can be rectangular, circular or oval.

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  Entry stamp to India at Mumbai airport in an Indian passport.
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  Entry stamp in an Indian passport at Delhi Airport.
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  Entry stamp issued to a citizen of Germany at Delhi airport
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  Exit stamp in an Indian passport at Delhi Airport.
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  Exit stamp in an Indian passport at Delhi Airport.
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  Exit stamp in an Indian passport at Delhi Airport.
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  Exit stamp issued to a citizen of Germany at Delhi airport

Indonesia

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  Entry and exit stamps at Ngurah Rai International Airport and Juanda International Airport in a Thai passport.

Iran

Iran uses an oval shaped stamp with blue ink for entry and a square shaped stamp with red ink for exit.

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  Former exit stamp at Mehrabad International Airport in an older Iranian passport
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  Entry stamp at Isfahan International Airport in an Iranian passport

Israel

See also: Visa requirements for Israeli citizens

Traveling with passports containing Israeli entry/exit stamps to certain Arab nations may lead to a denial of entry, because of the Arab League boycott of Israel. Since January 2013, Israel no longer stamps foreign passports at Ben Gurion Airport, giving passengers a piece of paper instead. Passports are still (as of February 2013) stamped at Erez when traveling into and out of Gaza. Also, the passports are still stamped (as of February 2014) at the Jordan Valley/Sheikh Hussein and Yitzhak Rabin/Arava land borders with Jordan.

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  Entry stamp to Israel from Taba in an Israeli passport.
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  An Israeli entry stamp in a U.S. passport at Ben Gurion Airport.
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  Entry and exit stamps in a German passport at Ben Gurion Airport (entry: right; exit: left).

Japan

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  Temporary visitor landing permission sticker at Chubu Centrair International Airport and exit stamp at Fukuoka Airport in a Republic of Korea passport.
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  Return stamp at Haneda airport in a Japanese passport.
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  Departure and re-entry stamps for a foreign resident of Japan in a British passport.

Jordan

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  Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority visa in a U.S. passport.
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  Entry stamp in a U.S. passport at Wadi Araba Crossing.
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  Exit stamp in an Israeli passport at Wadi Araba Crossing.

Laos

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  Entry and exit stamps at the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.

Macau

Immigration stamps applied by Macau's immigration service under Portuguese administration had slightly different borders depending on whether the person arrived by land, sea, or air. After the transfer of sovereignty from Portugal to China in 1999, passport stamps naming the points of entry and departure were introduced, but all in the same ink color. Beginning of 9 July 2013, the Public Security Police Force of Macau no longer stamps passport and instead, visitors will receive a printed arrival card instead.

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  Arrival Card replacing existent passport stamps.
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  Former entry stamp at Macau International Airport.
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  Former entry and exit stamps at Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Macau.
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  Former entry and exit stamps at Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal in a Philippine passport.

Malaysia

Malaysian immigration authorities apply stamps for both entry and exit in all foreign passports and non-biometric Malaysian passports without in-built microchips. Biometric Malaysian passports are usually not stamped as all movements in and out of the country are recorded electronically in the microchip.

Malaysian entry stamps for non-citizens and non-residents are rectangular and stamped in blue or black. They bear the date of entry, point of entry and terms of entry. Entry stamps for residents are also stamped in blue ink but have an oval shape and bear the date and point of entry. Exit stamps are triangular and stamped in red. They bear the date and point of departure.

A peculiarity is the autonomy of the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak in immigration affairs. Foreigners who travel to the two states from Peninsular Malaysia are required to fill in immigration forms and get new stamps on their passports. There is also immigration control for travel between Sabah and Sarawak. Previously, Malaysian citizens from the Peninsular were required to present their passports and have them stamped as well; while they are currently still subjected to immigration control, passports are no longer required for social visits not more than three months.

Between 1998 and 2011, foreigners who entered Malaysia via train from Singapore were cleared electronically without their passports being stamped. The change was due to the dispute between Malaysia and Singapore regarding Malaysian-owned railway land in Singapore. The Malaysian railway operator, Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) had its intercity rail southern terminus at Tanjong Pagar railway station in downtown Singapore, which also housed the border controls of both Malaysia and Singapore for rail passengers before 1998. In 1998, Singapore moved its immigration checkpoint northward to Woodlands Train Checkpoint near the actual Malaysia-Singapore border but Malaysia refused to move its checkpoint, resulting in the anomaly that passengers travelling towards Malaysia were granted entry to Malaysia before passing through Singapore exit controls. Instead of passport stamps, foreigners were given disembarkation cards stamped with "KTM Tg Pagar, Singapura" and the date of entry, which would be collected upon departure from Malaysia and a handwritten note indicating the entry would be endorsed in the passport along with the exit stamp. Passengers travelling to Singapore were not affected as Malaysian exit controls were carried out on board trains at the Johor Bahru railway station, where immigration officers endorsed passports by stamping or handwriting. The anomaly was resolved on 1 July 2011, when Tanjong Pagar railway station was closed and Woodlands Train Checkpoint became the railway terminus in Singapore with co-location of border control facilities of both countries. Foreigners entering Malaysia by rail have their passports checked and stamped by Malaysian immigration officers at Woodlands Train Checkpoint after clearing Singapore exit controls.

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  Standard entry stamp, this one at Tawau Port, Sabah, allowing three months' stay.
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  Entry stamp into Sarawak at Merapok checkpoint on the Sabah-Sarawak border, with written date for limit of stay.
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  Entry stamp for citizens before biometric passports were introduced. This is at former Subang International Airport.
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  Standard exit stamp, at Johor Bahru exit to Singapore.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Penang International Airport in a Thai passport
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  Entry and exit stamps Penang International Airport in an American passport
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  Entry and exit stamps (Kuala Lumpur), as well as a separate entry stamp to Sabah

Myanmar

With the introduction of e-visas, entry stamps into Myanmar at the airports of Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw, the only three entry checkpoints where e-visas are allowed, have been modified to indicate such method of entry.

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  Entry (left) and exit stamps issued at the Yangon International Airport. The entry stamp is for people using e-visas. E-visas are issued via letter prior to arrival and are shown to the immigration officer, and not stuck to passports like conventional visas.
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  Entry stamp at Yangon International Airport for entries using conventional visas. The visas are stickers stuck on another page of the passport.
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  Entry stamp for day-trip into Tachileik from Mae Sai, Thailand, on the Friendship Bridge.
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  Exit stamp issued at Tachileik when leaving on the Friendship Bridge. Note that the stamp specifically names Mae Sai as destination.

Nepal

Nepal is one of the few countries which use sticker stamps. Nepalese immigration authorities use separate Arrival and Departure stickers for entry and exit on all types of passports.

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  Entry sticker on arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
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  Exit sticker stamp at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

Oman

As of December 2017, one who obtains a visa on arrival does not get a round entry stamp. Instead they get a rectangular, blue stamp that states the entry date and validity of the visa. This seems to, however, be the case only when arriving at Muscat International Airport. At land borders, the rectangular stamp is accompanied by a round, blue entry stamp. A round, red exit stamp is issued at all points of exit.

Omani visa on arrival obtained at Muscat International Airport. The blue rectangular stamp represents the visa and the entry stamp. The round, red stamp is the exit stamp obtained at Wajaja land border. The blue stamp at the left corner is from the Emirati side of Wajaja.

Pakistan

Pakistan has different exit and entry stamps at different airports.

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  Multi color entry stamp at Karachi airport.
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  Entry stamp at Lahore airport.

Philippines

At airports, red ink is used for arrivals/entry and green is used for departure/exit. As a general rule, passports of all travellers regardless of their nationality (including Filipino passport holders), need to be stamped at both entry and exit points. The attending officer also writes down the flight number and stamps the passenger's boarding pass upon departure with the same stamp that is used for departure. The shape and/or designs of the stamps are changed every five to six years.

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  Arrival Entry Stamp in a Philippine Passport
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  Departure Exit Stamp in a Philippine Passport

Saudi Arabia

Saudi entry stamps are in black or blue ink. Entry stamps are in oval shape while exit stamps are rounded rectangular. All dates written on the stamps are in the Hijra calendar, and it is written in Arabic. There is no English on the stamps, except for the "EXIT" or "ENTRY" written on the stamps.

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  Passport stamps from the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on a Philippine passport.

Singapore

Singapore entry stamps are in blue or black and either rectangular for those entitled to 14 days, rounded rectangular for those entitled to 30 days stay, or hexagonal for those entitled to 90 day stay. Exit stamps are circular and in green. Both depict the date of entry/exit and entry stamps also state the terms of entry and permitted duration of stay.

Both entry and exit stamps do not name the point of entry/exit but indicate them by the use of letters of the alphabet - "A" is used for entry by air, namely through Changi Airport or Seletar Airport; "S" by sea though the Singapore Cruiseship Terminal or Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal; "T" by land via the Tuas Checkpoint; and "W" by land via the Woodlands Checkpoint. The entry stamp has the letter running along the border of the stamp together with a code number while the exit stamp has a single letter marked in the center of the stamp.

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  Entry stamp at Changi Airport in an old Thai Passport
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  Exit stamp at Changi Airport
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  Entry and exit by sea, at the Singapore Cruise Center.
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  Entry stamp into Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint in a Malaysian Passport
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  Exit stamp in a Malaysian Passport for leaving Singapore to Tanjung Kupang in Johor, Malaysia, via the Tuas Checkpoint
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  Entry stamp at Singapore via Woodlands Train Checkpoint in a Malaysian Passport
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  Exit stamp in a Malaysian Passport for leaving Singapore to Johor Bahru via Woodlands Train Checkpoint

Sri Lanka

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  Entry stamp at Bandaranaike International Airport
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  Exit stamp at Bandaranaike International Airport

South Korea

Entry stamp is square shaped and stamped with magenta ink. Exit stamp is round shaped and stamped with cyan ink. Exit stamp is omitted to every passenger since 1 November 2016. Entry stamp is only omitted to Republic of Korea travel document holder since 10 February 2011. Each stamp is only given on one's request.

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  Entry and exit stamps at Incheon International Airport, depicting aircraft.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Busan Port, depicting sea vessels.
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  An exit stamp at Incheon International Airport in a Republic of Korea passport.
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  An exit stamp at Gimhae International Airport in a Republic of Korea passport (given upon request).
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  An entry stamp at Gimhae International Airport in a Republic of Korea passport (given upon request).

Taiwan(Republic of China)

A set of new passport stamps was used from February 10, 2013. The Chinese characters on the new stamps are inscribed by Yang-Zi Dong, a famous calligrapher in Taiwan.

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  Entry and exit stamps at Kaohsiung International Airport in a U.S. passport.
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  Entry stamp in a passport at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan.(R.O.C.)
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  Exit stamp in a passport at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan.(R.O.C.)
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  A void exit stamp in a passport at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan.(R.O.C.)
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  An entry stamp with a marker indicating arrival by ship, rather than by plane.
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  An entry stamp at Taoyuan International Airport in a Republic of Korea passport.
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  An exit stamp at Taoyuan International Airport in a Republic of Korea passport.

Thailand

Immigration stamps applied by Thailand's Immigration Bureau are stamped on all passports upon arrival at or departure from Thailand. All stamps are made in blue ink. Entry stamps are rectangular and exit stamps are triangular. Stamps bear the date and point of entry/exit, as well as a letter running along the border of the stamp accompanying a code number. Entry stamps for foreigners also state expiry date. From 11 April 2012, an automatic gate system was initiated at Suvarnabhumi Airport to scan certain Thai passports. Therefore, there is no need to stamp on scanned Thai passports.

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  Entry and exit stamps at Betong land border crossing on Malaysia–Thailand border.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Don Mueang International Airport in an old Thai passport.
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  Entry stamp at Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in a Thai passport.
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  Exit stamp at Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in a Thai passport.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Phuket International Airport.
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  Entry stamp at Sadao land border crossing on Malaysia–Thailand border.
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  Exit stamp at Sadao land border crossing on Malaysia–Thailand border.
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  Entry stamp at Satun land border crossing on Malaysia–Thailand border.
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  Exit stamp at Satun land border crossing on Malaysia–Thailand border.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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  Visa on arrival stamp on a Taiwanese passport.

Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste uses a full page blue stamp along with a red date entry stamp on entry. Exit stamps are a black oval.

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  Passport stamp of the country Timor-Leste

United Arab Emirates

The UAE use oval blue stamps on entry, along with a smaller blue rectangular stamp showing the valid length of stay. Exit stamps are a green oval.

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  Entry and exit stamps at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Vietnam

Vietnam passport stamps rectangular and name the point of entry, date of entry and whether the person is exiting or entering the country by using an arrow out of or into an box similar to the Schengen passport stamps. Mode of entry is indicated by an icon and also differentiated by the colour of the stamp - blue for air, red for land crossings. The permitted length of stay is printed with a separate stamp and the final date handwritten.

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  Exit stamp from the road border crossing at Moc Bai.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi.
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  Entry and exit stamps at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City.

Africa

Algeria

File:Algeria Visa and Stamps.jpg

Entry (centre) and exit (right) stamps on an Algerian visa in a Finnish passport. Stamps from Houari Boumediene Airport.

Egypt

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  Free entry stamp to Sinai in Egypt from Eilat in a US passport.
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  Egyptian visa with entry and exit stamps from Cairo International Airport.

French overseas departments (Mayotte and Réunion)

When arriving in and departing from the French overseas departments of Mayotte and Réunion, French Border Police officers stamp travellers' travel documents according to the following rules:

Persons whose travel documents are to be stamped

Persons whose travel documents are not to be stamped

Third-country nationals (unless covered by an exemption listed in the right hand column)

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens holding a residence permit issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland Andorran, Monégasque and San Marinese citizens Heads of state and dignitaries whose arrival has been officially announced in advance through diplomatic channels Pilots and members of aircraft crews Seamen (only when their ship calls in and in the area of the port of call) Crew and passengers of cruise ships

Ghana

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  An entry stamp to Ghana as seen in a U.S. Passport.
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  A Ghana exit stamp

Nigeria

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  An entry stamp to Nigeria as seen in a Nigerian Passport at Seme Border.
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  A Nigerian exit stamp as seen in a Nigerian Passport at Lagos.

Morocco

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  Passport entry stamp from the port of Tangier, Tanger in French. Shown in a Canadian Passport.
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  Exit stamp at the border crossing between Beni-Anzar and Melilla, in a US passport.

South Africa

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  A South African entry stamp as seen in a Nigerian Passport issued for study purposes.
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  An entry stamp to South Africa issued for vacation purposes.
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  A South African exit stamp at Johannesburg-OR Tambo

Swaziland

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  Passport stamp from Swaziland

Tunisia

Tunisia stamps passports on entry and exit. In the photo below, the red stamp indicates the entry date, while the black stamp indicates the exit date.

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  Entry and exit stamps at Tunis-Carthage Airport.

Europe

Schengen Area

See also: Schengen Area

All 26 European countries within the Schengen Area have entry and exit stamps of a uniform design. As of April 2016, at a national level, 11 Schengen countries (Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain) have developed computer databases recording entries and exits of third-country nationals (i.e. travellers who are not EU, EEA or Swiss citizens) at external border crossing points. However, on a Schengen-wide level, there is no centralised computer database that tracks entries and exits at all of the external border crossing points of the 26 Schengen countries, nor are entry and exit records from national databases shared between countries. As a result, law enforcement officials continue to rely on checking passport stamps as the primary way to check that travellers who do not have the right of free movement have not exceeded their length of permitted stay in the Schengen Area.

There are no systematic immigration checks when travelling between Schengen countries (i.e. crossing the internal borders of the Schengen Area). Passport stamps are never issued when travelling between Schengen countries, even when immigration checks between Schengen countries are temporarily re-introduced.

When travelling to/from a non-Schengen country (i.e. crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area), the rules on stamping travel documents are as follows:

Persons whose travel documents are to be stamped

Persons whose travel documents are not to be stamped

Third-country nationals (unless covered by an exemption listed in the right hand column) Family members not holding a residence card issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC who are accompanying or joining EU, EEA and Swiss citizens exercising the right of freedom of movement Family members (regardless of whether or not they hold a residence card issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC) who are not travelling together with and not joining EU, EEA and Swiss citizens exercising the right of freedom of movement

Citizens of EU and EFTA member states exercising the right of freedom of movement Third-country nationals holding residence cards issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC, but only if they are being accompanied by a family member who is a citizen of an EU or EFTA state exercising their right of freedom of movement and presenting the residence card Andorran, Monégasque and San Marinese citizens Heads of state and dignitaries whose arrival has been officially announced in advance through diplomatic channels Pilots and members of aircraft crews Seamen (only when their ship calls in and in the area of the port of call) Crew and passengers of cruise ships

Logbook recording which border guards are assigned passport stamps at an external border crossing point in Spain

Border officials are required, by law, to stamp the travel documents of third country nationals who do not qualify for one of the exemptions listed in the right hand column, even when border controls have been relaxed. Exceptionally, if stamping a person's travel document would cause serious difficulties (such as political persecution), border officials can instead issue a sheet of paper detailing the person's name, travel document number and entry date and location. However, in practice, border officials do not always stamp the travel documents of travellers as legally required. If a person who should have received an entry stamp cannot show one either upon request by a law enforcement officer or upon leaving the Schengen Area to a border official, the officer can presume that the person has been staying illegally in the Schengen Area and can expel him/her, unless the person can demonstrate using credible evidence (such as transport tickets and accommodation receipts) that he/she has not exceeded his/her permitted length of stay in the Schengen Area.

Also, whilst by law persons enjoying the right of freedom of movement are not to receive a passport stamp, in practice, upon request, a stamp may be given – see the gallery below for an example of an entry stamp being issued upon request by an EU citizen. Similarly, although by law heads of state are not to receive a passport stamp, in practice, this is not always followed; when arriving for the 37th G8 summit in Deauville, United States President Barack Obama had his passport stamped at Deauville – Saint-Gatien Airport.

Although, according to EU rules, third country nationals who hold residence permits should not have their travel documents stamped, France nevertheless requires third country nationals holding a visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour (a long-stay visa serving additionally as a residence permit for up to one year) to receive a passport stamp upon their first entry to the Schengen Area as a part of the process to validate the visa as a residence permit; without an entry stamp, the process cannot be completed.

Third-country nationals who otherwise fulfil all the criteria for admission into the Schengen area must not be denied entry for the sole reason that there is no remaining empty space in their travel document to affix a stamp; instead, the stamp should be affixed on a separate sheet of paper.

Entry and exit stamps are applied in black ink, except for the red date stamp and a two-digit security code in the middle. The two-digit security code must be changed at least once a month, although some Schengen countries (such as Greece) change security codes every day. The stamps bear the country abbreviation within a circle of stars in the top left hand corner, the name of the entry/exit border crossing point at the bottom, and an icon in the top right hand corner to denote the mode of entry/exit. Below the name of the border crossing point is an identifying number – a record is kept of the identity of the border officer to whom a given stamp is assigned at any given time. Entry stamps are rectangular and have an arrow into a square, while exit stamps are rectangular with rounded corners and have an arrow out of a square. The stamps do not indicate any duration of stay.

Border guards are required to ensure the secure storage of passport stamps in locked safes between shifts. Border posts are advised to set out clear responsibilities and instructions for the distribution and use of passport stamps.

According to European Commission recommendations and guidelines, stamps should be affixed in travel documents by border officials in the following manner:

• in chronological order
• in a horizontal position
• in a clear and straight manner (i.e. with enough ink and not over the edge of a page)
• the exit stamp should be affixed in the proximity of the entry stamp
• no stamp should be affixed over another stamp or over the machine readable zone of a visa
• if the travel document contains a single-entry Schengen visa, the stamp should be affixed over the edge of the visa, but without affecting the legibility of the conditions and security features of the visa
• if the travel document contains a multiple-entry Schengen visa, the stamp should be affixed on the page facing the one on which the visa is affixed

The obligation imposed by European law on national border authorities to stamp travel documents of certain travellers should not prevent the development of automated border control systems which are then made available to those who are required to have their travel documents stamped when crossing the external border of the Schengen Area. One solution is to dedicate separate lanes to third-country nationals and to have a border guard physically positioned next to the automated border gates used by these lanes who can stamp travel documents where required: this has been adopted by the Finnish Border Guard at the automated border gates in Helsinki Airport, where eligible users (who are required to receive a passport stamp) include holders of Canadian, Japanese, South Korean and United States biometric passports, and in the Port of Helsinki, where eligible users (who are required to receive a passport stamp) include Russian citizens, as well as by the Portuguese Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras at the automated border gates in Lisbon Airport where eligible users (who are required to receive a passport stamp) include holders of Angolan and Brazilian passports and holders of diplomatic/service passports). A similar but slightly different solution has been adopted by the Dutch Royal Marechaussee at the Privium iris recognition automated border gates at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where eligible users include registered EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, US citizens who are Global Entry members, and all nationals who are holders of diplomatic passports, as well as by the German Federal Police at the ABG Plus iris recognition automated border gates at Frankfurt Airport where eligible users include registered EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and US citizens who are Global Entry members: when eligible third-country nationals use Privium/ABG Plus, after their iris is scanned and verified, a different gate/door/turnstile opens to that for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and the third-country national user is directed to a lane which leads them to the front of the queue for manual passport checks at immigration desks, where the border guard stamps the user's passport. Another possible solution would be to design the automated border gates to print a paper slip with an entry or exit stamp on it, as well as the user's name and travel document number, whenever the user is a traveller who is subject to the requirement to have his/her travel document stamped.

• Uniform design of Schengen member states' passport stamps
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  Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Sandefjord Airport in Norway.
  (Note that the stamp is in a British passport, hence it was issued on special request.)
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  Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Nickelsdorf at the Austro-Hungarian border before Hungary joined the Schengen Area.
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  Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Doirani at the Greek-Macedonian border.
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  Entry stamp for ferry travel, issued at the port of Amsterdam IJmond in the Netherlands.
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  Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Prague Ruzyně Airport in the Czech Republic.
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  Exit stamp for rail travel, issued in Bad Schandau at the Czech-German border before the Czech Republic joined the Schengen Area.
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  Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Korczowa at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
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  Exit stamp for ferry travel, issued at the port of Helsinki in Finland.

Passport stamps by Schengen member state

Austria Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Berg. Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Hohenau an der March. Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Kittsee. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Kleinhaugsdorf. Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Nickelsdorf. Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Spielfeld. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Vienna International Airport. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Wullowitz. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Wullowitz. Belgium Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Brussels Airport. Czech Republic Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Prague Airport. Denmark Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Copenhagen Airport. Estonia Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Narva. Finland Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Helsinki Airport. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Helsinki Airport (old style). Exit stamp for sea travel, issued at the Port of Helsinki. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Imatra. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Imatra. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Nuijamaa. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Vaalimaa. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Vaalimaa (old style). Two entry stamps for train travel in Vainikkala (old 2013 and new 2014 style). France Entry stamp for rail travel, issued at the juxtaposed controls at London St Pancras International railway station. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport Exit stamp for rail travel, issued at Paris Gare du Nord. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Germany Exit stamp for rail travel, issued in Bad Schandau. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Berlin Tegel Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Cologne Bonn Airport. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Frankfurt (Oder). Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Frankfurt Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Guben. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Guben. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Munich Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Munich Airport. Greece Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Athens Airport. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Doirani. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Kipoi. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Mykonos Airport. Hungary Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Budapest Airport (Terminal 1). Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Budapest Airport (Terminal 2). Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Gyékényes. Exit stamp for rail travel, issued in Kelebia. Exit stamp for rail travel, issued in Záhony. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Beremend. Iceland Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Keflavík International Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Keflavík International Airport. Italy Exit stamp for sea travel, issued in Civitavecchia. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Milan Malpensa Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Rome Ciampino Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Latvia Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Grenctāle (pre-Schengen stamp with Schengen design). Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Riga Airport (pre-Schengen stamp with Schengen design). Lithuania Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Kena. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Saločiai (pre-Schengen stamp with Schengen design). Luxembourg Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Luxembourg Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Luxembourg Airport. Malta Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Malta Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Malta Airport. Netherlands Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Entry stamp for sea travel, issued in Amsterdam Ijmond. Exit stamp for sea travel, issued at Europoort. Norway Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Entry stamp for air travel, issued in Sandefjord Airport. Poland Entry stamp for air travel, issued at John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Korczowa. Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Słubice (pre-Schengen stamp with Schengen design). Portugal Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Lisbon Airport. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Lisbon Airport (old style). Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Porto Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Porto Airport (old style). Slovakia Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Štúrovo (pre-Schengen stamp with Schengen design). Slovenia Entry stamp for rail travel, issued in Dobova. Exit stamp for road travel, issued in Rigonce. Spain Entry stamp for sea travel, issued in Algeciras. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Barcelona Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Barcelona Airport. Entry stamp for sea travel, issued in Gran Canaria. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Madrid Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Málaga Airport. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Seville Airport. Exit stamp for sea travel, issued in Tarifa. Sweden Exit stamp for sea travel, issued in Nynäshamn. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (old style). Switzerland Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Geneva Airport. Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Geneva Airport. Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Zurich Airport.

Albania

Although Albania is not a European Union or Schengen Area member state, and is outside the EU freedom of movement area, it has adopted the common Schengen design for passport stamps. In addition, passports of EU/EFTA countries, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino are not stamped.

• 
  Old-style entry stamp for air travel issued at Tirana Airport.
• 
  Old-style exit stamp for ferry travel issued at the Durrës ferry terminal
• 
  New-style entry stamp for road travel issued at Tushëmisht (border with Macedonia)
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  New-style exit stamp for air travel issued at Tirana Airport

Andorra

Entry from France or Spain requires no formalities. However a souvenir stamp is issued on request at the border.

Belarus

Belarus is a member of the Union State of Russia and Belarus but, like Russia, still has its own passport stamps. The passport stamp has the state's name in the Belorusian language: Republic of Belarus, date and name of the checkpoint.

• 
  Entry stamp in Brest (January 2000).

Bulgaria

Although Bulgaria is a European Union member state, it has not yet joined the Schengen Area. Nonetheless, it has adopted the common Schengen design for passport stamps.

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  Entry stamp for road travel issued in Gyueshevo at the border with Macedonia.
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  Exit stamp for air travel issued at Sofia Airport.

Croatia

After joining the European Union on 1 July 2013, Croatia adopted the common Schengen design for passport stamps, even though Croatia is still not a member of the Schengen passport-free area.

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  Entry stamp for rail travel, issued at Savski Marof.
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  Exit stamp for rail travel, issued at Savski Marof.
• 
  Entry stamp for road travel, issued in Terezino Polje.

Cyprus

Although Cyprus is a European Union member state, it has not yet joined the Schengen Area. Nonetheless, it has adopted the common Schengen design for passport stamps.

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  Entry stamp for air travel issued in Paphos International Airport.
• 
  Exit stamp for air travel issued in Paphos International Airport.

Czech Republic

• 
  Entry stamp for vehicle travel at Náchod in January 2000.

Germany

Refused entries (Zurückweisung) are stamped in the passports, too.

• 
  Entry at airport
• 
  Entry by car
• 
  Exit by rail
• 
  Pre-Schengen German passport stamp

Ireland

• 
  Arrival stamp for air travel issued at Dublin Airport.

Kosovo

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  Entry and Exit stamps from Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a member of the Schengen area with no borders with non-Schengen countries; thus, no passport stamps are issued. However, for a nominal fee, a souvenir stamp can be issued at the Liechtenstein Center tourist office.

Macedonia

Although Macedonia is not a European Union or Schengen Area member state, and is outside the EU freedom of movement area, it has adopted the common Schengen design for passport stamps. In addition, passports of EU/EFTA countries are not stamped.

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  Entry stamp for rail travel at Tabanovce station (border with Serbia)
• 
  Exit stamp for road travel at Dolno Blace (border with Kosovo)

Monaco

The border with France is completely open. However, a souvenir stamp is given on request at the tourist office.

Poland

• 
  Entry for transit stamp at Kudowa-Zdrój (border with Czech Rep.), February 2000

Romania

Romania is not currently a member of the Schengen Area, however, being in the European Union since 2007, Romanian entry and exit stamps have been harmonised with the format of the stamps issued by Schengen states.

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  Exit stamp for train travel, issued at Curtici on the Schengen border with Hungary.
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  Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Henri Coandă International Airport.
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  Exit stamp at Henri Coandă International Airport in a U.S. passport.
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  Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Timisoara Airport.
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  Exit stamp for road travel, issued at Turnu, Arad on the border with Hungary.
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  Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Timisoara Airport shortly before the Entry of Romania in the EU.

Russia

Entry and exit stamps are placed in passports regardless of citizenship; Russian passports are stamped as well as foreign ones, except the Internal Passports, with which Russian citizens may travel to a few countries of the CIS. The stamp shows the name of the country (КПП below the country name stands for checkpoint - контрольно-пропускной пункт), the date, the name of the checkpoint and the personal code of the immigration official applying the stamp. Stamp colours and series (the last number following the date) change every time in few years, currently the colour of the stamps is red of 9 series, but it can be blue or crimson as well. Entry or exit is designated by a direction of an angle bracket in the stamp: if it points to the right, that denotes exit. Ukrainian passport stamps are identical to the Russian stamps and have the same information. They can be stamped in green, red, orange, blue, pink and sometimes black ink.

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  Exit (left) and entry (right) stamps at St. Petersburg Pulkovo airport (1995-1998) in a Soviet passport (Russian Federation citizenship).
• 
  Exit stamp for vehicle travel at Torfyanovka (border with Finland) (2005).
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  Exit (left) and entry stamps issued at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. Circled number "2" indicates travelling with a child using parent's passport (2006).
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  Entry Stamp (right) and Exit Stamp (left) for boat travel issued at Saint Petersburg Port in an American passport (2006).
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  Exit stamp for air travel issued at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (2009).
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  New design exit stamp for air travel issued at St. Petersburg Pulkovo airport (2016).
• 
  Right: entry stamp for rail travel issued between Vyborg and St Petersburg.
  Left: exit stamp for rail travel issued at Aksarayskaya station.
  Placed on a transit visa in a Swedish passport (2016)

San Marino

Even though there is an open border agreement with Italy, visitors can have their passport stamped by the San Marino authority at the passport office in the city centre for a small fee.

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  San Marino entry stamp
• 
  Visum 1978

Serbia

Serbia stamps both Serbian and foreign passports on exit, and foreign passports also on entry (however, until March 2018, foreign passports were not stamped on exit).

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  Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport
• 
  Exit stamp for air travel, issued at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport

Switzerland

Although Switzerland is not a European Union member state, it is part of the Schengen Area and so it has adopted the common Schengen design for passport stamps.

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  Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Geneva Airport before the entry of Switzerland in the Schengen zone.
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  Entry stamp for air travel, issued at Zurich Airport after the entry of Switzerland in the Schengen zone.

Turkey

• 
  Entry and exit stamps from Istanbul Atatürk Airport
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  Entry stamp from Sarp (border with Georgia)
• 
  Exit stamp from Sabiha Gökçen Airport

Ukraine

Ukrainian passport stamps resemble Russian stamps. They bear the country's name, mode of travel (ship, train, vehicle, plane), code of the immigration officer, chevron (facing to the right for entry, to the left for exit), date, serial code (probably periodic), name of the checkpoint and its code. All are written in the Ukrainian language.

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  Entry stamp from Kiev Boryspil international airport in an Israeli passport (2015)
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  Entry stamp from Odessa international airport in an old Israeli passport (2013)
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  Entry stamp from Tsekynivka port (on the Dnister riverine border with Moldova) (2011)
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  Exit stamp from the Bolgan checkpoint (border with Moldova) (2009)
• 
  Exit stamp from the Krakovetz checkpoint (old style) in Kazakh passport (1999)

United Kingdom

The UK Border Force only stamps the travel documents of travellers entering the UK from outside the Common Travel Area who do not have the right of abode in the UK or are not exercising the right to freedom of movement.

Travellers arriving in the UK from the Channel Islands, Ireland and the Isle of Man are not subject to immigration checks as they are travelling within the Common Travel Area. However, travel from the European mainland (e.g. France) is still subject to immigration checks, as the UK is not part of the Schengen Area, even though it is a European Union member state.

There are no routine exit checks when departing from the UK for a destination outside the Common Travel Area by air, rail or sea. Instead, airline/rail/ferry companies obtain passengers' travel document information at check-in or on departure and transmit the information electronically to the UK Border Force. However, from time to time spot checks are carried out by the UK Border Force (in this case, travel documents are not stamped).

The following table shows which travellers arriving in the UK from outside the Common Travel Area receive a passport stamp:

Category of persons		Travel document to be stamped on arrival in the UK
British and Commonwealth citizens with the right of abode		No
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens exercising the right of freedom of movement		No
Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with an EEA Family Permit (first arrival in the UK)		Yes
Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with an EEA Family Permit (subsequent arrivals in the UK)		Optional
Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with a residence card		No
All other persons not covered in a category above		Yes

UK passport stamps are in black ink and bear the name of the entry point, as well as the immigration officer's identification number. If the traveller is a non-visa national who does not hold entry clearance, the passport stamp includes the conditions of the leave to enter granted.

If the traveller is the holder of visa/entry clearance or an EEA Family Permit or a person exempt from immigration control (e.g. a diplomat), he/she receives an open date passport stamp (i.e. a stamp that does not contain any leave conditions). Moreover, this entry passport stamp is stamped on the right edge of the visa/entry clearance during the traveller's first entry to indicate that the document has been used even if the document is valid for multiple entries.

In the case of general aviation flights arriving in the UK from outside the Common Travel Area, travellers may not be inspected by the UK Border Force on arrival (depending on the risk assessment conducted on the basis of the travellers' information submitted in advance via the General Aviation Report (GAR) form) and may be 'remotely cleared' instead. In this case, no passport stamp is received.

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  Passport stamp with 6 months' leave to enter issued at Heathrow Airport to a non-visa national.
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  Passport stamp with 6 months' leave to enter issued at the Channel Tunnel to a non-visa national.
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  Passport stamp with 6 months' leave to enter issued at the juxtaposed controls at Paris Gare du Nord to a non-visa national.
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  Passport stamp with 6 months' leave to enter issued at Heathrow Airport in London to a visa national from Russia. No restrictions, thus, allowed to work.
• 
  Old style passport stamp issued at Durham Tees Valley Airport to a non-visa national with leave conditions laid out.

North America

Canada

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  Entry stamp at Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, Ontario.
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  Entry stamp at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
• 
  Entry stamp at Rainbow Bridge, Ontario on a Colombian passport.
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  Canada Border Services Agency entry stamp at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in Hamilton, Ontario
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  Entry Stamp issued by Canada Immigration at Toronto-Lester B. Pearson International Airport This stamp was used by immigration officers for passengers who need secondary immigration checks.
• 
  Entry stamp at Dorval International Airport in Montreal, which is Pierre Elliott Trudeau's airport former name. This stamp was used by passport control officers at Canada's international airports.

Cuba

• 
  Entry and Exit stamps from Cayo Coco Airport.

French overseas departments and collectivities

When arriving in and departing from the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique and the French overseas collectivities of Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, French Border Police officers stamp travellers' travel documents according to the following rules:

Persons whose travel documents are to be stamped

Persons whose travel documents are not to be stamped

Third-country nationals (unless covered by an exemption listed in the right hand column)

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens holding a residence card issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland (when entering/leaving Guadeloupe/Martinique/Saint Pierre and Miquelon) Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens holding a residence card issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland (when entering/leaving Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin) Andorran, Monégasque and San Marinese citizens Heads of state and dignitaries whose arrival has been officially announced in advance through diplomatic channels Pilots and members of aircraft crews Seamen (only when their ship calls in and in the area of the port of call) Crew and passengers of cruise ships

Whilst the rules for stamping travel documents of travellers arriving in and departing from the French overseas departments/collectivities mentioned above are based upon the rules which apply in metropolitan France and the Schengen Area (see the section above), important differences exist between the two sets of rules. For example, when crossing the external border of the Schengen Area, only family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who hold a residence card issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC and who are accompanying or joining their EU, EEA and Swiss citizen family member exercising the right of freedom of movement are exempt from having their travel documents stamped, whereas in the French overseas departments/collectivities mentioned above, more generous rules apply — when entering/leaving Guadeloupe/Martinique/Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who holds a residence card issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC is exempt from having his/her travel document stamped regardless of whether he/she is accompanying/joining his/her EU/EEA/Swiss citizen family member; when entering/leaving Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who holds a residence card issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland is exempt from having his/her travel document stamped regardless of whether he/she is accompanying/joining his/her EU/EEA/Swiss citizen family member and regardless of whether the residence card was issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC. Another example relates to third-country nationals who hold a residence permit issued by a Schengen member state — when crossing the external border of the Schengen Area, his/her travel document should not be stamped, but when entering/leaving a French overseas department/collectivity, whilst he/she is not required to hold a visa for a short stay not exceeding 90 days in a 180-day period, his/her travel document will be stamped upon entry and exit.

Another exception applies in the case of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin —- travellers who in principle are subject to the obligation to have their travel documents stamped but who have cleared immigration control in Sint Maarten will not have their passport stamped when they enter/leave the French side of Saint Martin.

The design of passport stamps issued in the French overseas departments/collectivities differs from those issued in metropolitan France/the Schengen Area. Entry stamps issued in French overseas departments/collectivities are rectangular, whilst exit stamps are hexagonal.

• 
  Entry stamp at the port of Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) in a Swedish passport.
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  Exit stamp at Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (Guadeloupe) in a Swedish passport
• 
  Entry (top) and exit (bottom) stamps at the ferry dock in Saint-Pierre (Martinique) in a Swedish passport. Currently Saint-Pierre uses stamps from the port of Fort-de-France.
• 
  Entry stamp in Saint Barthélemy.
• 
  Entry stamp at Saint-Pierre

Haiti

• 
  Entry and exit stamps from Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Port-au-Prince.

Mexico

• 
  Entry stamp from Tijuana, Baja California land border crossing.

United States

• 
  Entry stamp at San Francisco International Airport.
• 
  USA stamp at Champlain–St. Bernard de Lacolle Border Crossing.
• 
  American stamp from John F. Kennedy International Airport in a U.S. Passport.
• 
  American stamp in a U.S. Passport.

The actual deadline to leave the U.S. for those admitted on a non-immigrant status is written at the bottom of the stamp, placed in the passport (when entering by air or sea) or on a green I-94W form stapled into the passport,

With the introduction of Automated Passport Control (APC), entries are not always stamped into passports of travelers using the kiosks (especially US passports). There are custom slips printed out from the machine, which are stamped by immigration and then handed over to customs.

Oceania

Australia

The Australian government no longer provides a Port and Date Stamp in travelers’ passports on departure from Australia without a request. If travelers need exit stamps in their passports, they must ask the Customs and Border Protection officer when they depart Australia. Entry stamps are still given to non-Australian passport holders and on request for Australian passport holders.

Travellers using SmartGate (available to bearers aged 16 years or older who hold an ePassport issued by Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, PR China, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom or the United States of America.) will not have their passports stamped on arrival in Australia.

(Airline crew who meet the eligibility requirements can choose to use arrivals SmartGate rather than being manually processed through the crew lane but Australian and New Zealand ePassport holders travelling on military orders are not eligible to use arrivals SmartGate.)

• 
  Entry stamp at Coolangatta Airport
• 
  Exit stamp at Coolangatta Airport

Fiji

• 
  Entry stamp at Nadi International Airport in Fiji.
• 
  Exit stamp at Nadi International Airport.

French overseas territories (French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna)

When arriving in and departing from the French overseas territories of French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, French Border Police officers stamp travellers' travel documents according to the following rules:

Persons whose travel documents are to be stamped

Persons whose travel documents are not to be stamped

Third-country nationals (unless covered by an exemption listed in the right hand column)

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens holding a residence permit issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland Andorran, Monégasque and San Marinese citizens Heads of state and dignitaries whose arrival has been officially announced in advance through diplomatic channels Pilots and members of aircraft crews Seamen (only when their ship calls in and in the area of the port of call) Crew and passengers of cruise ships

When travelling between the French overseas territories situated in the Pacific Ocean (for example, when travelling directly by plane from New Caledonia to French Polynesia), unless qualifying for one of the exemptions in the right hand column in the table above, a traveller will receive a passport stamp in his/her travel document upon departure from New Caledonia and another stamp upon arrival in French Polynesia.

Whilst the rules for stamping travel documents of travellers arriving in and departing from the French overseas territories in the Pacific Ocean are based upon the rules which apply in metropolitan France and the Schengen Area (see the section above), important differences exist between the two sets of rules. For example, when crossing the external border of the Schengen Area, only family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who hold a residence card issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC and who are accompanying or joining their EU, EEA and Swiss citizen family member exercising the right of freedom of movement are exempt from having their travel documents stamped, whereas in the French overseas territories in the Pacific, more generous rules apply — a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who holds a residence permit issued by an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland is exempt from having his/her travel document stamped regardless of whether he/she is accompanying/joining his/her EU/EEA/Swiss citizen family member and regardless of whether his/her residence permit was issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC. Another example relates to third-country nationals who hold a residence permit issued by a Schengen member state - when crossing the external border of the Schengen Area, his/her travel document should not be stamped, but when entering/leaving a French overseas territory in the Pacific, whilst he/she is not required to hold a visa for a short stay not exceeding 90 days in a 180-day period, his/her travel document will be stamped upon entry and exit.

The design of passport stamps issued in the French overseas territories in the Pacific differs from those issued in metropolitan France/the Schengen Area. Entry stamps issued in French overseas territories in the Pacific are rectangular, whilst exit stamps are hexagonal.

• Entry stamp at Fa'a'ā International Airport in French Polynesia.
  Entry stamp at Fa'a'ā International Airport in French Polynesia.
• 
  Exit stamp at Fa'a'ā International Airport in French Polynesia.
• 
  Entry stamp at La Tontouta International Airport in New Caledonia.
• 
  Exit stamp at La Tontouta International Airport in New Caledonia.
• 
  Older style exit stamp at La Tontouta International Airport in New Caledonia.

New Zealand

On arrival in New Zealand, travellers who are neither New Zealand nor Australian citizens or permanent residents who are granted entry into the country will receive a 'Visitor Visa' rectangular stamp in their travel document. New Zealand and Australian permanent residents will receive a 'Resident Visa' red stamp in their travel document. These stamps were formerly known as Visitor and Resident Permits.

New Zealand and Australian citizens do not have their passports stamped on arrival in New Zealand unless specifically requested.

Travellers using SmartGate (available to holders of a New Zealand, Australian, United Kingdom or United States ePassport aged 16 years or over) will not have their passports stamped on arrival in New Zealand.

For all travellers, passports are not stamped on departure from New Zealand (regardless of nationality, and whether using an immigration desk or SmartGate.

• 
  General Entry stamp (given upon request to NZ/Australian passport holders)
• 
  Visitors Visa Entry stamp (for all non-NZ/Australian passport holders without residency in either country)
• 
  Resident Visa Entry Stamp (non-NZ/Australian Passport Holder - but with Residency in either country)

South America

Argentina

• 
  Entry and exit stamps from the Argentina-Brazil border at Puerto Iguazu. Shown here in a U.S. Passport.
• 

Brazil

When a holder of a Brazilian Passport enters or exits Brazil they will not receive a passport stamp. However, other nationals will go through customs and receive a stamp for both entry and exit. When entering Brazil by car from another country such as Argentina or Paraguay, few people go through customs and thus rarely receive stamps in their passport.

• 
  Brazilian entry and exit stamps in a US Passport, opposite from the visa. Near a French and American stamp.
• 
  Brazilian entry stamp in a US passport.
• 
  Brazilian exit stamp in a US passport.
• 
  Entry and exit stamps, issued at São Paulo Airport.

Chile

• 
  Chilean entry stamp in a New Zealand passport, issued by the PDIat Santiago Airport.
• 
  Chilean exit stamp in a New Zealand passport, issued by the PDI at the Paseo los Liberadores border crossing.

Colombia

• 
  Entry stamp from El Dorado Airport
• 
  Exit stamp from El Dorado Airport
• 
  Exit tax exemption stamp issued by the Aeronautica Civil at El Dorado Airport

Peru

• 
  Peruvian entry stamp in a New Zealand passport, issued at Lima Airport. Part of a UK entry stamp is visible in the top part.
• 
  Peruvian exit stamp in a New Zealand passport, issued at Lima Airport. Part of a UK entry stamp is visible in the bottom part, as is part of a Chilean stamp in the right.

Venezuela

• 
  Entry stamp to Santiago Mariño Intl. Airport; Margarita Island, Venezuela
• 
  Exit stamp Simón Bolívar Intl. Airport; Caracas, Venezuela

Countries not issuing exit immigration stamps

In some countries, there is no formal control by immigration officials of travel documents upon exit. Consequently, exit stamps are not placed in passports. Exit may be recorded by immigration authorities via information provided to them by carriers when the passenger departs from the country.

No exit control

• USA
• Canada
• Mexico (by air)
• Bahamas
• Ireland
• United Kingdom (UK Border Force officers do not carry out systematic checks of travel documents on passengers travelling to a destination outside the Common Travel Area by air, rail or sea (though from time to time spot checks are carried out - in this case passports are not stamped); instead, airline/rail/ferry companies obtain passengers' travel document information at check-in or on departure and transmit the information electronically to the UK Border Force)

Formal exit control without passport stamping

• Australia (Issued upon request when not using SmartGate)
• Hong Kong
• New Zealand
• Macau
• South Korea (since 1 November 2016)
• Panama (only at Panamanian airports; different entry and exit stamps are made at the checkpoint with Costa Rica)
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador

However, in some of these countries, a departure card is collected.

See also

• Gallery of passport stamps by country or territory
• Passport tax stamp

References

• Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the operation of the provisions on stamping of the travel documents of third-country nationals in accordance with Articles 10 and 11 of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code). European Commission. 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
• Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)

External links

• PassportStamp A site for recording passport stamp visits
• Passport stamps from the whole world - 181 countries, 748 scans