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When flying into the UK I've shown my (non-EU) passport to immigration control and got my regular entry stamp. Upon exiting the UK, the airline employee didn't want to see my passport and instead asked for my Czech residence permit. I've tried to get them to enter my passport details instead but the airline employee refused and they've assured me it won't cause any problems.

But this got me wondering — couldn't this lead to a situation where my residence permit isn't matched to my passport and the UK immigration authority assumes I've overstayed? Since no exit stamp is provided when leaving the UK, how can I prove I haven't actually overstayed?

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  • Who issued your residence permit? – Gayot Fow Jan 3 '16 at 15:58
  • @GayotFow Czech Republic – JonathanReez♦ Jan 3 '16 at 16:28
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    Then no, they are not going to get you for overstaying. Exit controls take account of people leaving on different travel documents because of the situation you've described. I needed to ask who issued it because I haven't been tracking enlargement members, but CZ has been a full member for a long time. – Gayot Fow Jan 3 '16 at 16:59
  • I would assume that matching is never actually done, it is just a theoretical possibility. To be double sure, I would keep a photo of the boarding pass on my cell so I have it accessible if ever needed. – Aganju Jan 3 '16 at 21:39
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    I have been in and out of the UK with a non-EU passport for the past 15 years. I have never had a single UK 'Exit Stamp' on my passport - I have plenty of those from other countries though. – machnine Jan 4 '16 at 1:24
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I've traveled to the UK several times in the same fashion (passport on the way in, residency card on the way out), and at no time did the immigration officer assume I've overstayed on my previous trip. So either the UK doesn't keep a tight track on how long people stay or they've simply matched me in the database by name/birthday.

Either way it's fine.

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