Contents
A step by step guide for those who are waiting to travel while their Green Card is in process.
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Introduction
It is possible to travel while your Green Card application is in process, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, you must have a valid passport from your country of origin. You will also need to apply for a Green Card before you leave the United States, and you should have received notification that your application has been received and is being processed. If you have any questions about whether or not you are eligible to travel, you should contact an immigration attorney.
When traveling on an airplane, you will be required to show your passport and green card application receipt to the Customs and Border Protection Officer. You may also be asked to present other documentation, such as proof of financial support, proof of ties to your home country, or a letter from your employer. It is important to be prepared with all of the necessary documentation before you attempt to travel.
If your Green Card application is approved while you are outside of the United States, you will be issued a Permanent Resident Card (otherwise known as a Green Card) and will be able to return to the United States. However, if your application is denied, you will not be able to return to the United States and will need to reapply for a Green Card through the proper channels.
Applying for a Green Card
If you want to travel outside the United States while your Green Card application is in process, you will need to apply for a Travel Document. This document will prove to authorities that you are authorized to return to the United States after your trip.
The first step is to fill out Form I-131, also known as the Application for Travel Document. In addition to general information about you and your trip, you will need to provide your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) and your passport number. You will also need to submit a photograph of yourself.
Once you have submitted the form and the required fee, USCIS will review your application and make a decision. If your application is approved, you will receive a travel document known as an Advance Parole Document. This document allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad.
It is important to note that an Advance Parole Document does not guarantee entry into the United States. You may still be subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you arrive at a port of entry. CBP officers have the final say in whether or not you are allowed into the country.
If you are denied entry into the United States, or if your travel plans change while you are abroad, you should contact USCIS as soon as possible.
The Green Card Process
The Green Card process is the process through which a foreign national can become a permanent resident of the United States. The process usually takes several months to complete, and it can be a bit more complicated if you plan on traveling while your Green Card is in process.
If you are planning on traveling while your Green Card is in process, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you will need to have a valid passport from your country of citizenship. You will also need to have a copy of your approved I-485 form, which is the form that starts the Green Card process. You will need to present these documents to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer when you return to the United States after your trip.
It’s also important to note that you cannot travel outside of the United States while your Green Card application is pending. If you do travel, your application will be considered abandoned and you will have to start the process all over again. So, if you are planning on traveling while your Green Card is in process, make sure you do it before you submit your application.
Traveling on a Green Card
If you have applied for a green card, you may be wondering if you are allowed to travel outside of the United States. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you book your plane ticket.
First, make sure that you have what is called an Advance Parole document. This document allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. Without it, you will not be allowed back into the country. You can apply for an Advance Parole document by filing Form I-131 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Second, keep in mind that traveling on a Green Card is different than traveling on a passport from your home country. When you leave the United States, you will need to show your Green Card at the airport or other point of departure. You will also need to present your Green Card when you return to the United States. It is important to note that even if your Green Card is valid for 10 years, you will need to get a new one if your name or other personal information changes during that time period.
Finally, remember that even though you are allowed to travel while your Green Card application is in process, it is important to not abuse this privilege. If USCIS sees that you are frequently leaving and entering the country, they may view it as an indication that you do not intend to make the United States your primary residence. This could put your application at risk of being denied.
Traveling While Your Green Card Is In Process
If you are in the process of applying for a green card, you may be wondering if you can travel while your application is still pending. The answer is yes, you can travel, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, if you leave the country while your application is pending, you will need to have a valid passport from your home country. You will also need to have a copy of your green card application or petition, as well as a copy of any correspondence you have had with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is also a good idea to carry copies of any supporting documentation that you have submitted with your application, such as birth certificates or marriage licenses.
Second, if your green card application is approved while you are outside the United States, you will need to contact the USCIS office that approved your application in order to obtain your physical green card. Once you have your green card in hand, you can then return to the United States.
Finally, it is important to keep in mind that travelling while your green card application is pending does not automatically grant you permission to enter the United States. You will still need to go through the normal process of getting a visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy before attempting to enter the country.
Renewing Your Green Card
If you are a permanent resident whose 10-year green card has expired, you will need to renew your green card. You can apply for a renewal up to six months before your card expires. The process is mostly the same as when you applied for your green card, but there are some important differences to be aware of.
First, unlike when you applied for your green card, you will not need to have an interview with a USCIS officer. Instead, you will submit your application and supporting documentation by mail. The exception to this is if you are applying for a Green Card through marriage, in which case you may be required to attend an interview.
Second, you will not need to submit new photographs with your application. However, if your appearance has changed significantly since the original photos were taken, you may want to submit new ones.
Third, while there is no fee to renew your Green Card, there is a $85 biometric service fee that must be paid when you submit your application. This fee covers the cost of fingerprinting and capturing your photo.
Finally, it is important to note that if your Green card has been expired for more than one year but less than two years, you will need to go through the process of applying for a reinstated Green Card. This process is generally more difficult and expensive than simply renewing your Green Card, so it is important to make sure that you renew before your card expires if at all possible.
Applying for Citizenship
There are a few different ways to become a U.S. citizen, but the most common is through naturalization. To qualify for naturalization, you must first be a permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States. Once you meet all the other requirements, you can file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
If you’re already a U.S. citizen, you can help your family members immigrate by sponsoring them for a green card. The first step is usually to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
Other Considerations
There are other things to consider if you plan to travel while your green card is in process. If you have a criminal record, or if you have been arrested for any reason, you should consult with an attorney before leaving the United States. Even if the offense is minor, or if you were never convicted, it is possible that you could be refused entry into another country.
Resources
You must carry your I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or I-797 (Notice of Action) at all times to show you are authorized to be in the United States. If you do not have your I-94 or I-797, you should get it from your local USCIS office or the nearest U.S. consulate before you travel.
If you are traveling outside the United States and your Green Card is lost or stolen, you should report it to the local police and the nearest U.S. consulate immediately. You should also contact USCIS so we can cancel your lost or stolen Green Card and issue you a new one.
Conclusion
Assuming you have followed all the steps correctly and made no mistakes, you should now have a good understanding of how long it will take to receive your green card and be able to begin traveling. Congratulations on taking this important step in your life!
