Can I Travel While Waiting for Green Card Renewal?

If you’re waiting on your green card renewal, you might be wondering if you can travel while you’re waiting for it to come through. The answer is yes, you can travel, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

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Introduction

If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you may be wondering if you can travel while you are waiting for your green card to be renewed. The answer is yes, but there are some things you need to keep in mind.

First, if you leave the country, you will need to have a valid passport from your home country. Alternately, you can apply for a re-entry permit before you leave the United States. This permit will allow you to return to the United States after traveling abroad for up to two years.

Secondly, it is important to keep in mind that your green card renewal application will not be processed if you are outside of the United States when it is submitted. Therefore, it is important to submit your application well in advance of any planned travel.

Finally, if your green card expires while you are outside of the United States, you will need to obtain a new one before returning. You can do this by applying for a new green card at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

What is a Green Card?

A Green Card is an identification card that proves that you are a permanent resident of the United States. If you have a Green Card, you are allowed to live and work in the US indefinitely. You can also travel in and out of the country, as long as you have a valid Green Card.

The Green Card Renewal Process

The green card renewal process can be a long and stressful one, and many people wonder if they are allowed to travel while they are waiting for their renewal to go through. The short answer is that you can travel, but there are some things you need to keep in mind before you do.

First and foremost, you will need to have a valid passport from your country of origin. If your passport has expired, you will need to renew it before you can travel. Additionally, it is advisable to apply for a new Green card before you travel as this will give you proof of your status in case there are any delays in the renewal process.

If you do decide to travel while waiting for your green card renewal, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure you have all the necessary documents with you, including your passport and proof of status. Additionally, it is a good idea to check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country to find out what their requirements are for entry.

Can I Travel While Waiting for Green Card Renewal?

Yes, you can travel while waiting for your green card to be renewed. However, you will need to have a valid passport and a valid Green Card in order to return to the United States. If your Green Card has expired, you will need to apply for a new one at a U.S. consulate or embassy before you can return to the United States.

Tips for Renewing Your Green Card

The process for renewing your Green Card (officially known as an Permanent Resident Card) is fairly straightforward. Every 10 years, you will need to submit a Renewal Application, and as long as you remain eligible, you will receive a new card in the mail. However, one question that we often hear is whether or not you can travel while waiting for your renewal to go through.

The answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to make sure that you apply for your renewal before your current card expires. If you wait too long, your application will be considered abandoned and you will have to start the process from scratch.

Additionally, if you plan to travel outside of the United States while your renewal is pending, you will need to apply for a Travel Document. This can be done by submitting Form I-131 with your Renewal Application. Once approved, the Travel Document will allow you to re-enter the United States after international travel without any issues.

Finally, it’s important to note that even if your Green Card Renewal is approved while you are outside of the United States, you will still need to use your Travel Document to return. So, if possible, it’s best to wait until you have received your new Green Card before planning any extended trips abroad.

Conclusion

No, you cannot travel while waiting for your green card renewal. If you leave the country, your renewal application will be automatically canceled. You will need to reapply and start the process all over again.