Traveling Before Your Priority Date on a Green Card

If you’re a green card holder, you may be wondering if you can travel before your priority date. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Read on for more details.

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Introduction

If you are applying for a green card, you may be wondering if you can travel outside of the United States before your priority date. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including your current immigration status, the type of green card you are applying for, and whether or not you have a valid Advance Parole document. In this article, we will discuss the requirements for traveling before your priority date on a green card.

What is a priority date?

A priority date is the date when a person first expresses interest in obtaining a green card. The priority date is used to determine when an immigrant will be able to receive their green card. In order to obtain a green card, an immigrant must have a priority date that is earlier than the current “Final Action Date” for their preference category and country of chargeability. The current “Final Action Date” can be found on the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.

What does it mean to travel before your priority date?

The priority date is the date your green card application was first filed. If your priority date is before the date on the Department of State’s visa bulletin, you are considered “current” and can apply for a green card. If your priority date is after the listed date, you are “backlogged” and cannot yet apply for a green card.

The visa bulletin is released monthly and can be found on the Department of State’s website. It lists the cut-off dates for each immigrant category and each country of chargeability (usually your country of birth). The cut-off date is the earliest priority date an applicant can have and still be able to file for a green card.

If you are backlogged, you may still be able to travel using what’s called advance parole. Advance parole allows you to leave the United States and return without losing your place in line for a green card. However, there are some risks associated with traveling on advance parole, so it’s important to understand all the implications before making a decision.

The benefits of traveling before your priority date

If you have been approved for a green card, you may be wondering if it is beneficial to travel outside of the United States before your priority date. The answer is that there can be some advantages to traveling before your priority date, as long as you follow the proper procedures and do not overstay your welcome.

One of the benefits of traveling before your priority date is that it can help reset the clock on your green card. If you have been residing in the United States for a while, it is possible that your green card will expire before you are eligible for citizenship. However, if you travel outside of the country and then re-enter, the clock on your green card will be reset. This means that you will have a few more years before you need to renew your card.

Another benefit of traveling before your priority date is that it can help you avoid issues with your employment. If you have a job in the United States, you may need to notify your employer of your absence. Depending on your job, this may not be an issue. However, if you work in a position where absences are not tolerated or could cause problems, it is best to speak with your boss beforehand. In some cases, it may be possible to get permission to work remotely while you are away so that you can keep your job while still enjoying the benefits of traveling.

Finally, traveling before your priority date can also help you explore different parts of the world and learn more about other cultures. This can be beneficial not only for personal growth but also for connecting with people from other cultures who may eventually become friends or business partners. Whether you are exploring different countries or simply taking a trip within the United States, getting out and seeing new things can help expand your perspective and make you a more well-rounded individual.

The risks of traveling before your priority date

If you have applied for a green card, you may be tempted to travel outside of the United States before your priority date. However, there are several risks associated with doing this. First of all, if you leave the country before your priority date, your application will be considered abandoned and you will have to start the process over again from scratch. In addition, if you are picked for an interview and are not able to attend because you are out of the country, your application will likely be denied.

Therefore, it is generally not advisable to travel before your priority date. If you must travel, make sure to consult with an experienced immigration attorney beforehand to minimize the risks involved.

How to make the decision to travel before your priority date

There are many things to consider when making the decision to travel before your priority date on a green card. The first thing is to check the status of your case and make sure that you will not be jeopardizing it by traveling.

If you have a family, you will also need to consider whether they will be able to travel with you. If they are not U.S. citizens or green card holders, they may need to get a visa in order to accompany you.

You will also need to have a valid passport and make sure that it will not expire before your planned return date. If you are planning on traveling outside of the United States, you should check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are planning to visit to see if there are any special requirements for entry.

Once you have considered all of these factors, you can start planning your trip!

What to do if you decide to travel before your priority date

If you decide to travel outside the United States before your priority date, you will need to have a valid, unexpired passport from your country of citizenship as well as a valid, unexpired Green Card. If your Green Card will expire while you are traveling, you will need to apply for a new one. You can do this by mail or at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.

What to do if you decide not to travel before your priority date

If you have an immigrant visa and are not planning to travel outside the United States before your priority date, you should notify the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) so they are aware of your change in plans. To do this, send an email to [email protected] and include the following information:

Your name
Your case number
The names of all applicants on your case
Your new mailing address, if different from the one on file
Your new email address, if different from the one on file
Your new phone number, if different from the one on file
The date you last updated your contact information with NVC
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Conclusion

We hope this article was helpful in explaining the process of traveling before your priority date on a green card. While it may seem complex at first, with a little planning and knowledge, you can travel without any problems. If you have any questions, be sure to speak with an experienced immigration attorney who can help ensure that everything is done correctly.

Resources

When you are waiting to receive your green card, you may want to travel outside of the United States. However, before you do so, it is important to know the rules and regulations regarding travel on a green card.

The first thing you need to do is check your priority date. This is the date that your application for a green card was received by USCIS. You can find your priority date on your I-485 form or on the USCIS website. If your priority date is not yet current, then you will need to get a special travel permit called an Advance Parole before you leave the country.

Once you have your Advance Parole, you can leave and reenter the United States as many times as you need to until your priority date becomes current. However, keep in mind that if you leave the country without an Advance Parole, USCIS will automatically assume that you have abandoned your green card application and you will have to start the process all over again from scratch.

If you have any questions about traveling before your priority date, please contact an experienced immigration attorney for help.