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If you’re wondering whether you can travel while your green card is pending, the answer is yes! However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you book your trip. Read on for more information.
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Applying for a Green Card
If you want to live permanently in the United States, you must obtain a Green Card. You will go through a two-step process to get a Green Card. The first step is applying for a permanent residency. Once your application is approved, you will receive a conditional Green Card that will be valid for two years.
The second step is removing the conditions on your Green Card. You must do this within the 90 days before your card expires. If you do not remove the conditions, you will lose your permanent resident status and will have to leave the United States.
You may travel outside of the United States while your Green Card application is pending. However, if you travel outside of the country before your Green Card is approved, you may have to restart the application process.
The Green Card Process
The Green Card Process
There are three main ways to become a permanent resident of the United States: through family, employment, or investment. The vast majority of green card holders gain their status through family sponsorship or employment sponsorship. If you are currently in the process of immigrating to the United States through one of these channels, you may be wondering if you are able to travel while your green card is pending.
The short answer is yes, you can travel while your green card is pending. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you book your ticket. First and foremost, you must have what is called a “advance parole document” in order to return to the United States after traveling abroad. This document essentially gives you permission to leave the country and return without abandoning your immigrant petition.
Second, it is important to note that even if you have a valid advance parole document, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the United States. At the port of entry, immigration officers have the final say on whether or not you will be admitted into the country. They may choose to deny you entry for any number of reasons, including suspected immigration fraud or criminal activity.
If you are hoping to travel while your green card is pending, be sure to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before making any plans. They can help ensure that you have all the necessary documents and information needed for a successful trip.
Traveling on a Green Card
If you have applied for a green card, you may be wondering if you can travel while your application is pending. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before you travel.
First, make sure that you have a valid passport and that your green card application is still ongoing. If your application has been approved, you will have received a notice from the USCIS. If your application is still pending, you can check the status online or by calling the USCIS customer service number.
Second, keep in mind that if your green card is approved while you are outside of the United States, you will need to go through a process called “consular processing” in order to receive your green card. This process can take several weeks, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Finally, remember that even if your green card is approved, you will still need to renew it every 10 years. If you plan on traveling outside of the United States for an extended period of time, make sure to renew your green card before you leave.
Renewing or Replacing a Green Card
If your Green Card is lost, stolen, or expired, you can apply for a replacement or renewal by filing Form I-90 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In general, you should file Form I-90 if:
– Your Green Card was issued to you more than 10 years ago and has since expired.
– Your Green Card was issued to you for only 2 years because you qualified as a permanent resident through asylum status or refugee status, and it has since expired.
– You were issued a conditional permanent resident Green Card (valid for 2 years), and the conditions have not been removed.
– USCIS accidentally issued you a Green Card without the proper conditions or expiration date.
– Changes were made to your name or other personal information since your last Green Card was issued and you would like these changes reflected on your new card.
What Happens if My Green Card is Lost or Stolen?
If your green card is lost or stolen, you should report the loss or theft to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immediately. You can report the loss or theft online, by mail, or by calling USCIS.
Once USCIS receives your report, they will cancel your green card and issue you a new one. There is no fee to replace a lost or stolen green card.
Traveling While Your Green Card is Pending
There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on traveling while your green card is pending. First, you will need to have a valid passport from your home country. Second, you will need to apply for a travel document called an Advance Parole. This document allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. You can apply for an Advance Parole by filing form I-131 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
It’s important to note that USCIS may take up to 120 days to process your Advance Parole application, so you should apply as soon as you know you’ll be traveling. Once you have received your Advance Parole, you can travel outside of the United States and return without having to start the green card process over again. However, if you do not have an Advance Parole and try to re-enter the United States without one, USCIS may refuse your entry and consider your green card application abandoned.
Applying for a Travel Document
If you are in the United States and have applied for a Green Card, you may be wondering if you can travel while your application is pending. The answer is yes, but you will need to apply for a travel document from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before you leave.
Applying for a travel document is a simple process. You will need to fill out form I-131, which you can find on the USCIS website. Once you have filled out the form, you will need to submit it along with the appropriate fee and any supporting documentation.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a travel document that will allow you to re-enter the United States. Be sure to keep this document with you when you travel. If you have any questions about traveling while your Green Card is pending, be sure to speak with an immigration attorney.
If You Are Arrested or Detained
If you are arrested or detained by police or immigration authorities, you should:
– Ask for a lawyer immediately.
– Do not answer any questions until your lawyer is present.
– Show the police your Alien Registration Card (Green Card), if you have one.
– If you are not a U.S. citizen, carry your passport with you at all times.
– Cooperate with the police, but do not sign anything without consulting with a lawyer first.
If You Get Sick
If you get sick while your green card is pending, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), getting medical treatment is considered an “emergency” and is therefore allowed, even if you have not yet received your green card.
If You Have a Problem
If you have a problem with your green card application, you may be able to travel while it is pending. For example, if you have a family emergency, you may be able to get a “advance parole” document from USCIS that will allow you to come back into the United States after traveling abroad.
