Can You Travel When Applying for a Green Card?

If you are in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and want to apply for a green card, you may be wondering if you can travel while your application is pending. The answer is yes, you can travel, but there are a few things you need to do first.

First, you will need to apply for a Travel Document, also known as a Advance Parole. This document allows you to leave the country and return without having your green card application denied. You should apply for the Travel Document as soon as you decide to travel, as it can take up to 90 days to receive the document.

Once you have your Travel Document, you can leave the country and return without any problems. However, if your green card is approved while you are away, you will need to pick it up at a U.S. consulate or embassy in the country you are visiting. You will not be able to return to the United States until you have done this.

So, if you are planning on traveling while your green card application is pending, make sure to apply for a Travel Document first. And if your green card is approved while you are away, don’t forget to pick it up before returning to the United States

The Process of Applying for a Green Card

The process of applying for a green card can be long and complex, and it usually starts with a petition from a family member or employer. Once the petition is approved, the applicant will have to go through an interview process. After the interview, if everything goes well, the applicant will be granted a green card.

How to Apply for a Green Card

There are a few ways that you can apply for a green card. The most common way is through a family member or an employer. You can also apply for a green card through the Diversity Visa Program, also known as the green card lottery.

If you are already in the United States on a different type of visa, you may be able to adjust your status and apply for a green card without having to leave the country. However, if you are outside of the United States, you will need to consular process, which means applying for a green card at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country.

In general, you will need to complete an application, submit evidence of your eligibility, and attend an interview at the consulate or embassy. If you are applying for a green card through family or employment, there may be additional steps that you need to take.

It is important to note that you cannot travel while your application is pending unless you have been granted advance parole. Advance parole allows you to return to the United States after traveling abroad without affecting your pending application. If you do not have advance parole and you travel while your application is pending, your application will be considered abandoned and you will have to start the process over again from scratch.

The Documents You Need to Apply for a Green Card

To apply for a Green Card, you will need to fill out an application and submit it to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In addition to the application, you will also need to submit several documents. These documents include:

A copy of your birth certificate
A copy of your passport
A copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable)
A copy of your divorce decree (if applicable)
A copy of your adoption papers (if applicable)

The Cost of Applying for a Green Card

Are you planning to travel while your green card application is pending? If so, you need to be aware of the potential cost of applying for a green card.

When you apply for a green card, you will be required to submit a variety of documents, including proof of your identity, proof of your U.S. residency, and proof of your relationship to the person who is sponsoring your green card application. You will also be required to submit a copy of your passport and a photo that meets the requirements set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In addition to the cost of the documents required for your green card application, you will also need to pay the USCIS filing fee, which is currently $535. If you are required to have an interview as part of your green card application process, you may also need to pay an additional fee for the interview.

If you are planning to travel while your green card application is pending, it is important to understand that you may not be able to return to the United States if your application is denied. Therefore, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before making any travel plans.

The Timeline for Applying for a Green Card

The timeline for applying for a Green Card can vary depending on many factors, including your nationality, your job, and your family ties to the United States. The earliest you can apply is six months before you intend to travel. If you are applying for a Green Card through employment, you may be able to apply as early as nine months before you wish to travel. If you have family ties to the United States, you may be able to apply up to two years in advance.

The Interview for a Green Card

Yes, you can travel when applying for a green card. However, you will need to schedule an interview with a U.S. consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before you can receive your green card. During the interview, the consular officer will review your application and ask you questions about your eligibility for a green card.

After Applying for a Green Card

If you are planning to travel outside the United States after filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, you must receive advance permission to return to the United States. This travel document is called an Advance ParoleDocument. If you depart the United States without an advance parole document, your Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status will be considered abandoned and you will no longer have a pending application with USCIS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for a Green Card

1. Can I travel outside the United States while my green card application is pending?
2. Do I need to have a job in order to apply for a green card?
3. Will my family be able to travel with me if I am granted a green card?
4. How long does the process of applying for a green card take?
5. Is there an interview involved in the green card application process?
6. What are the chances of my green card application being approved?
7. What happens if my green card application is denied?

Can You Travel When Applying for a Green Card?

Applying for a Green Card