Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent (CBP BPA) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

The first step in processing a returning K-3 or K-4 nonimmigrant visa holder is to refer to the initial admission stamp. This stamp provides crucial information about the individual’s previous entry into the United States, including the date of arrival and the terms of their admission. By reviewing this stamp, the officer can verify the validity of the individual’s status and determine whether they are still eligible to enter again under their current visa category.

This step is essential because it establishes the baseline for the individual's immigration status and helps the officer ascertain if the authorized stay has expired or if the individual meets the conditions for re-entry. Understanding the terms of the initial admission stamp enables the officer to make informed decisions in line with immigration regulations.

Subsequent steps, like admitting the alien only to the date of the initial authorized stay or scheduling follow-up inspections, rely on the information gathered from this initial reference. Without this initial step, it would be challenging to ensure compliance with the visa conditions or to process the individual’s return effectively.