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If you’ve been through the green card interview process, you may be wondering if you’re able to travel outside of the United States. The short answer is yes, you can travel, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
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Introduction
After you have attended your Green Card interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy, you will be one step closer to becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States. If your interview went well, you may receive your Green Card in the mail within a few weeks. However, you will not be able to travel outside of the United States until you have received your Green Card.
What is a Green Card?
A Green Card is an identification card that proves that a person is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. If you have a Green Card, you can live and work in the United States indefinitely. You can also travel in and out of the country, although there are some restrictions.
The Green Card Interview Process
After you have completed the initial paperwork and submitted your application for a green card, you will be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS official. The purpose of the interview is to verify the information on your application and to give you an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the process.
During the interview, you will be asked to present your green card application, as well as any supporting documents that you have. The USCIS official will review your application and ask you questions about your eligibility for a green card. They may also ask you about your employment history, education, and personal background.
After the interview, the USCIS official will make a decision on your application. If they approve your application, they will issue you a green card. If they deny your application, they will send you a letter explaining why.
After the Interview: Can I Travel?
If you are approved for a green card at your interview, the officer will inform you and give you your passport containing your immigrant visa. The visa allows you to travel to the United States and apply for entry as a permanent resident. You will be given a sealed packet containing your immigration papers. Do not open this packet.
You will receive an I-551 stamp (also called a “Green Card”) in your passport, which shows that you are now a lawful permanent resident of the United States. This stamp is temporary and expires in ten years. You will also receive a small wallet-sized card, called an I-551, which does not expire.
Traveling on a Green Card
It is common for people who have recently been granted a green card to want to travel outside of the United States, either to visit family or to take a long-awaited vacation. While it is possible to travel on a green card, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before making any plans.
First, it is important to note that you cannot leave the country until you have received your physical green card in the mail. If you try to leave without your green card, you will likely be denied boarding by the airline. Once you have your green card in hand, however, you are free to travel as you please.
There are no restrictions on how soon after being approved for a green card that you can travel, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind. If it has been less than a year since you were granted your green card, it is important to have either your most recent I-94 arrival/departure record or your passport with the I-551 stamp showing that you were granted permanent residence. If it has been more than a year since you were granted your green card, then you only need your passport and green card when traveling.
It is also important to keep in mind that although your green card grants you permanent residence in the United States, it does not guarantee reentry into the country if you leave. If you plan to be gone for an extended period of time (more than six months but less than one year), it is recommended that you apply for what is known as a reentry permit before leaving the country. A reentry permit functions as both a record of your lawful permanent residency and authorization for reentry into the United States after temporary travel abroad and can be valid for up two years.
If you plan to be gone for more than one year but less than two years, then you will need to apply for what is known as a Returning Resident Visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. A Returning Resident Visa allows individuals who have been away from the United States for more than one year but less than two years (due to reasons such as work or school) and still maintain their status as permanent residents to apply for readmission into the United States.
Finally, it is important to note that even if your trip outside of the United States is temporary, meaning that you fully intend on returning to the United States and maintaining your status as a permanent resident, there are certain circumstances under which traveling could result in abandonment of your permanent resident status. These circumstances include: staying outside of the United States for more an extended period of time (generally considered anything over one year); failing maintain ties (such as employment or family) within the United States; or voluntarily giving up your green card
Applying for a Green Card
If you are approved for a Green Card, you will be able to live and work in the United States permanently. You will also be able to travel in and out of the country without any restrictions. However, there are a few things that you need to do before you can travel.
The Green Card Lottery
The Green Card Lottery is a lottery that makes 50,000 permanent resident visas (green cards) available every year. It is open to people who meet certain eligibility requirements.
To be eligible, you must:
-Be a native of a qualifying country
-Have a high school diploma or equivalent
-Have at least two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience
If you are selected in the lottery, you will be contacted by the U.S. Department of State and will be asked to complete an online registration form. After you have registered, you will be scheduled for an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. You must bring your passport and other required documents to the interview.
If your application is approved, you will be issued a green card and will be allowed to live and work permanently in the United States.
Renewing Your Green Card
If you are a permanent resident who obtained your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may travel outside the United States and return, providing you have a valid, unexpired green card. If your green card will expire within six months of your return to the United States, you should renew your green card before traveling.
What to Do if Your Green Card is Lost or Stolen
If your green card is lost or stolen, you should contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immediately. You will need to file a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Once USCIS approves your application, you will receive a new green card in the mail. In the meantime, you may be able to travel on your passport and a USCIS-issued Interview Scheduling Letter.
FAQs
1. What is a Green Card?
A Green Card gives you permanent residence status in the United States. As a permanent resident, you have the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. You will also be given a Green Card if you are a refugee or asylee.
2. How do I get a Green Card?
There are many ways to get a Green Card, including through family, employment, or investment. You can also get a Green Card through the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
3. How long does it take to get a Green Card?
The time it takes to get a Green Card varies depending on your individual situation. It can take months or even years to receive your Green Card after you have applied for it.
4. Can I travel while my Green Card application is pending?
Yes, you can travel while your Green Card application is pending. However, you will need to obtain a travel document called an Advance Parole before you leave the United States. If you do not have an Advance Parole, you may not be able to return to the United States after your trip abroad.
