Contents
- Introduction
- What is a Green Card?
- Who is Eligible for a Green Card?
- The Process of Applying for a Green Card
- What are the benefits of having a Green Card?
- What are the restrictions on Green Card holders?
- What are the consequences of violating the restrictions on Green Card holders?
- How can Green Card holders avoid violating the restrictions?
- Conclusion
- Resources
Green Card Holders: Be Aware of These Travel Restrictions When Going Outside the United States. If you are a Green Card holder, there are certain travel restrictions that you need to be aware of.
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Introduction
The United States is currently imposing travel restrictions on several countries due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These restrictions are subject to change at any time, and green card holders should be aware of them before traveling.
Currently, the following countries have travel restrictions in place for green card holders:
China: Green card holders who have been in China within the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the United States.
Iran: Green card holders who have been in Iran within the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the United States.
Italy: Green card holders who have been in Italy within the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the United States.
South Korea: Green card holders who have been in South Korea within the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the United States.
What is a Green Card?
A Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the U.S. government that allows an individual to live and work permanently in the United States. Green Card holders are legally authorized to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis and are granted certain rights and privileges, including the ability to apply for U.S. citizenship.
However, there are some travel restrictions that Green Card holders should be aware of before traveling outside the United States. Depending on the country you are traveling to, you may need to obtain a visa or other travel document in order to enter that country. Additionally, if you plan to stay outside the United States for an extended period of time, you may need to obtain a re-entry permit from the U.S. government in order to be allowed back into the country.
Green Card holders who wish to travel outside the United States should consult with an immigration attorney or the U.S. Department of State before making any travel plans.
Who is Eligible for a Green Card?
You may be eligible for a green card if you have been:
-Sponsored by a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
– Sponsored by an employer in the United States
– Granted asylum or refugee status
– Victim of human trafficking or domestic violence
– Adopted by a U.S. citizen
– Participated in the Green Card Lottery
The Process of Applying for a Green Card
Applying for a Green Card can be a long and complex process, with many different steps and requirements that must be met. The following is a general overview of the process, but please keep in mind that each individual case may be different and some steps may not apply in your situation.
The first step is to file an immigrant petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This can be done by either your employer or a family member who is a US citizen or legal permanent resident. If you are applying based on employment, you will need to have a job offer from a US employer.
Once the petition is approved, you will need to go through an interview process with the USCIS. During this interview, you will be asked questions about your background and your plans for coming to the United States. After the interview, you will be asked to provide additional documentation, such as evidence of your ties to your home country, proof of employment, or proof of financial support.
Once all of the documentation has been submitted and approved, you will be able to schedule an appointment at a US consulate or embassy to have your visa issued. You will need to pay a visa application fee at this time. Once your visa has been issued, you will be able to travel to the United States and apply for a Green Card.
What are the benefits of having a Green Card?
Green card holders are permanent residents of the United States. As such, they are entitled to many of the same rights and privileges as U.S. citizens. For example, they can live and work in the United States indefinitely, own property, and attend public schools. They can also join the Armed Forces and apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (or three years if they are the spouse of a U.S. citizen).
What are the restrictions on Green Card holders?
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries have placed travel restrictions on foreign nationals who are citizens of or have recently been in certain countries.
These restrictions vary from country to country, but some common examples include bans on non-essential travel, mandatory quarantines upon arrival, and the requirement to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight.
While these restrictions are typically aimed at citizens of countries that have high rates of coronavirus infection, some countries have also placed restrictions on foreign nationals who are Green Card holders.
Green Card holders are subject to the same travel restrictions as citizens of the countries they are coming from. This means that if you are a Green Card holder and you have recently been in a country that has been placed on a travel ban list, you will not be able to enter the United States until the ban is lifted.
Additionally, Green Card holders will be subject to any mandatory quarantines or testing requirements that are in place for citizens of their home countries.
If you are a Green Card holder and you are planning to travel outside the United States, it is important to check the travel advisories for both your destination country and your home country before you leave. This will help ensure that you are aware of any travel restrictions that may be in place and can plan accordingly.
What are the consequences of violating the restrictions on Green Card holders?
Green Card holders (permanent residents) have the privilege of living and working in the United States indefinitely. However, there are some restrictions on this privilege. Namely, Green Card holders are not permitted to travel outside of the United States for prolonged periods of time. If a Green Card holder does travel outside of the United States, they must be able to show that they have ties to the United States that show they intend to return. These ties can be in the form of a job, a family, or property ownership.
If a Green Card holder violates these restrictions, they may be subject to removal proceedings. This means that they will have to appear before an immigration judge who will determine whether or not they will be allowed to keep their Green Card. If the judge determines that the Green Card holder does not have ties to the United States and does not intend to return, their Green Card will be taken away and they will be deported back to their home country.
How can Green Card holders avoid violating the restrictions?
There are two ways that Green Card holders can avoid violating the restrictions on their travel: 1) by maintaining a valid Green Card and 2) by applying for and being granted advance parole.
The first way to avoid violating the restrictions is by maintaining a valid Green Card. If a Green Card holder leaves the United States and their Green Card expires while they are outside of the country, they will be unable to re-enter the United States. To maintain a valid Green Card, Green Card holders should ensure that they renew their Green Cards before they expire.
The second way to avoid violating the restrictions is by applying for and being granted advance parole. Advance parole is permission from USCIS to return to the United States after traveling abroad, and it can be used in lieu of a visa. Green Card holders who have been granted advance parole can re-enter the United States even if their Green Cards have expired. However, it is important to note that advance parole does not guarantee entry into the United States; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers still have the final say on whether or not someone is able to enter the country.
Conclusion
You may be a permanent resident of the United States with a green card, but there are still some travel restrictions that you need to be aware of. While you are free to travel within the country, you will need to take some extra steps if you plan on traveling outside of the United States.
Before you leave, be sure to get a travel authorization from the USCIS. This will allow you to re-enter the country without any problems. You should also make sure that your green card is up-to-date and that it will not expire while you are away.
When you return to the United States, be sure to go through customs and immigration at your port of entry. You will need to present your green card and travel authorization, as well as your passport from your home country. You may also be required to fill out a customs declaration form.
Follow these steps and adhere to the travel restrictions for green card holders, and you should have no problems travelling in and out of the United States.
Resources
Below are links to resources that can help you understand the current travel restrictions in place for green card holders. Please note that these restrictions are subject to change at any time, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest information.
-U.S. Department of State: https://www.state.gov/
-U.S. Customs and Border Protection: https://www.cbp.gov/
-Transportation Security Administration: https://www.tsa.gov/