Contents
You can travel with your green card around the USA, as long as you have it with you. You may be asked to show it at any port of entry.
Checkout this video:
Introduction:
Many people who have a green card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) want to know if they can travel freely around the United States. The answer is yes! As a green card holder, you are allowed to travel within the U.S. just like any other American citizen.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with your green card. First, you should always carry your green card with you when you travel. This is because immigration officials may ask to see it at any time. If you do not have your green card with you, you could be detained and may even be deported back to your home country.
Second, if you are planning on traveling outside of the United States, you will need to make sure that your green card is up-to-date. This means that it should not expire within 6 months of your planned travel date. If it does, you will need to renew your green card before you can leave the country.
Finally, it is important to remember that even though you have a green card, you are still subject to US immigration laws. This means that if you commit a crime or violate your visa terms in any way, you could be deported from the United States regardless of how long you have been living here.
So as long as you keep these things in mind, feel free to enjoy traveling around America with your green card!
Applying for a Green Card:
You may apply for a Green Card if you are eligible for one of the immigrant categories listed in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Congress sets the annual worldwide limits on the number of immigrants who may enter the United States under each category.
Traveling on a Green Card:
If you have a green card, you may travel freely within the United States and its possessions, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You do not need to carry your green card with you at all times, but it is a good idea to have it with you when you travel, in case you are asked to show it to officials.
When traveling by air within the United States, you will need to show a valid passport and your green card as proof of your lawful permanent resident status. When traveling by land or sea (including by ferry), you may use your green card as proof of your status. If you are from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need a visa to enter the United States, but you will still need to present a passport and other required documents.
If you plan to leave the United States and return during the same trip, be sure to check the expiration date on your green card to make sure it will not expire while you are away. You should also check the requirements of the country or countries you plan to visit, as they might have different requirements for travelers with green cards.
When returning to the United States at an airport or land border crossing, be prepared to present your passport and green card, as well as any other required documents (such as a visa, if necessary). You may also be asked questions about your trip by officials from U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Renewing or Replacing a Green Card:
If your green card will expire in the next 6 months, or has already expired, you should renew it. If your green card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should replace it.
To renew or replace your green card, you will need to submit:
-A completed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
-Two passport-style photos.
-The filing fee of $455 (as of 2020).
Losing or Damaging a Green Card:
If you lose your Green Card or it is stolen, you should report the loss or theft to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately. You will need to file a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. If your Green Card is expired or is about to expire, you should also file a Form I-90. There is a filing fee for this form.
You should also carry a copy of your Green Card with you at all times. It is a good idea to keep the copy in a different location than where you keep your actual Green Card.
If your Green Card is lost or stolen while you are outside the United States, you should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance in replacing your card
Green Card Holders and the Law:
As a legal permanent resident or green card holder, you have the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. However, there are some restrictions on your travel outside of the country
If you plan to travel outside of the United States, it is important to understand the rules and regulations regarding your green card. Depending on how long you have had your green card, and the purpose of your travel, you may need to take specific steps in order to maintain your status as a legal permanent resident.
In general, green card holders are allowed to travel freely within the United States. However, if you plan to travel outside of the country, you should carry your green card with you at all times. You may also be required to present other documents, such as a passport from your country of citizenship, when returning to the United States.
If you are planning to travel outside of the United States for an extended period of time, you should consult with an immigration attorney before doing so. There are certain circumstances in which extended travel can impact your status as a permanent resident. For example, if you plan to be absent from the United States for more than six months but less than one year, you should obtain a reentry permit before leaving the country. This permit will allow you to maintain your status as a permanent resident even if you are absent for more than six months.
It is also important to note that even if you have a valid green card, you may still be refused entry into the United States if there are concerns about your immigration status or criminal history. If you are refused entry into the United States, you may be placed in removal proceedings and could ultimately be deported from the country. Therefore, it is important to consult with an immigration attorney before traveling outside of the United States to ensure that there will not be any problems when attempting to reenter the country
Green Card Holders and Taxes:
As a general rule, you are considered a “resident alien” of the United States for tax purposes if you have a “green card.” A green card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) is evidence of your permanent legal status in the United States. If you are a green card holder, you are taxed on your worldwide income, regardless of where you reside.
However, there are some special rules that apply to green card holders who travel outside of the United States. Under these rules, you may be considered a “non-resident alien” for tax purposes if you meet either the “green card test” or the “substantial presence test.”
The “green card test” is fairly straightforward – if you possess a green card at any time during the tax year, you are considered a resident alien for that entire year.
The “substantial presence test” is a bit more complicated. To meet this test, you must have been physically present in the United States on at least:
-31 days during the current tax year, and
-183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current tax year and the 2 years immediately before that, counting:
–All the days you were present in the current tax year, and
–1/3 of the days you were present in the first year before the current tax year, and
–1/6 of the days you were present in the second year before
Green Card Holders and Voting:
As a permanent resident or green card holder, you are allowed to travel freely within the United States. There is no need to apply for an extra travel document. However, we recommend that you carry your green card with you at all times to show proof of your legal status in the United States.
You may also register to vote in local, state, and federal elections in the United States. However, you cannot vote in elections held in foreign countries.
Green Card Holders and Employment:
If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., possess a “green card”), you generally have the right to live and work in any state, as well as to travel freely within the United States. You carry this right with you even if you are outside of the United States for short or extended periods of time.
Green Card Holders and Family:
Yes, as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you are free to travel within the United States, as well as its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can also travel to and from Canada and Mexico without any special documentation, although you will need to present your green card when requested by immigration authorities.
If you are planning to travel outside of the United States, it is recommended that you carry your passport with you, as well as your green card. For more information on travel documents for green card holders, please see the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.