Contents
Green Card Holders Can Now Travel to Puerto Rico without a visa, thanks to a new law that went into effect on March 10, 2019.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can now travel to Puerto Rico without needing to apply for a separate visa, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday. The change is effective immediately.
Applying for a Green Card
If you want to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you will need to obtain a green card. Also known as an immigrant visa, a green card gives the holder the right to live and work permanently in the United States. green card holders are also able to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years.
There are a few different ways to obtain a green card, including through family members, employment, or investment. You can also be granted a green card through the Refugee or Asylee status, or the Victim of Human Trafficking status. If you have been living in the United States illegally, you may also be eligible for what is known as “prosecution immunity” through the U-visa program.
Once you have obtained your green card, you will need to renew it every ten years. You will also need to carry your green card with you at all times, as it is proof of your legal status in the United States.
The Benefits of a Green Card
As a green card holder, you are now able to travel to Puerto Rico without a visa. This is a great benefit because it allows you to visit family and friends, and explore the island without having to go through the hassle of getting a visa. In addition, Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with plenty of activities and sights to see. So if you are planning on taking a trip there, being a green card holder will make it that much easier.
Traveling on a Green Card
Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and do not need a passport to travel to the mainland, those who hold green cards (legal permanent residents) cannot travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. However, starting in 2019, they will be able to use their green card for travel.
Renewing Your Green Card
If you are a green card holder, you may travel outside of the United States and return as long as you have a valid green card. You can renew your green card if it has expired or will expire within the next six months. If your green card will expire in more than six months, you can still travel but you will need to apply for a new Green card before returning to the United States.
Losing Your Green Card
Losing your Green Card can have serious negative consequences. If you are a Green Card holder and you leave the United States for more than one year, or if you fail to meet certain other residency requirements, you will be considered to have abandoned your permanent resident status. This means you will no longer have a Green Card and will not be able to return to the United States as a permanent resident. You will also be ineligible for many benefits that are available to Green Card holders, such as Social Security retirement benefits and health insurance through Medicaid.
There are a few ways you can lose your Green Card. If you are convicted of a crime, you may be deported from the United States. You may also be deportable if you fail to file taxes, or if you are found to be deceitful on your application for permanent residency. Finally, if you abandon your residency by living outside of the United States for more than one year, or if you fail to meet other residency requirements, you may also lose your Green Card status.
Green Card Holders and Taxes
As of January 2017, green card holders (permanent residents) can now travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. However, they will still need to comply with Puerto Rico’s tax laws.
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and as such, green card holders are subject to the same tax laws as US citizens. This includes paying federal income tax, as well as any state or local taxes that may apply.
Green card holders who reside in Puerto Rico should file their taxes in the same way as US citizens living in other states or territories. This means filing a federal income tax return, as well as any applicable state or local returns.
Puerto Rico has its own tax system, separate from the US federal system. As such, green card holders who reside in Puerto Rico may be required to pay both US and Puerto Rican taxes. However, there are certain tax breaks and credits that may be available to green card holders who meet certain criteria.
It is important to note that even though green card holders can now travel to Puerto Rico without a passport, they are still subject to all applicable US laws and regulations. This includes obeying all local laws while in Puerto Rico, as well as paying any taxes that may be due.
Green Card Holders and the Military
As of October 3, 2019, the U.S. government has lifted the travel restrictions that were placed on holders of green cards and military personnel traveling to Puerto Rico. The announcement was made by acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan during a press conference in San Juan.
The travel restrictions were put in place following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The hurricane left the island of Puerto Rico without power or water for months, and led to the death of nearly 3,000 people.
Since then, Puerto Rico has been working to rebuild its infrastructure and tourism industry. Thanks to the lifting of the travel restrictions, both green card holders and military personnel will be able to visit the island and contribute to its recovery.
FAQs about Green Cards
If you are a Green Card holder, you may travel freely throughout the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico. However, if you plan to stay in Puerto Rico for more than 30 days, you will need to apply for a reentry permit from USCIS.
Green Card holders may also work in Puerto Rico without having to obtain a separate work permit. However, if you are employed by a U.S. company, you will still be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed, you will need to pay self-employment taxes.
income taxes to the United States government. You may also owe taxes to the government of Puerto Rico, depending on your income and residency status. For more information on tax requirements, please consult the Internal Revenue Service or a tax professional.
It is important to note that although Puerto Rico is part of the United States, it is not a state and does not have voting representation in Congress. As a result, Green Card holders who reside in Puerto Rico are not eligible to vote in U.S. presidential elections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a green card holder, you can now travel to Puerto Rico without any issue. This is thanks to the recent change in policy by the Puerto Rican government. If you have any questions about this process or want to learn more, please feel free to contact our office. Thanks for reading!
