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If you have a green card in process, you may be wondering if you can travel outside of the United States. The answer is yes, you can travel while your green card is still in process.
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Applying for a Green Card
Applying for a Green Card is the first step in becoming a permanent U.S. resident, but the process can take several months or even years. So, what happens if you need to travel internationally during this time?
Fortunately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) understands that applicants may need to travel while their Green Card application is still in process. As long as you meet certain requirements, you will be able to travel on what’s called an Advance Parole document.
An Advance Parole document is a special travel permit that allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad without having to obtain a new visa. It’s important to note that an Advance Parole document does not guarantee entry into the United States – you will still need to go through the regular immigration inspection at your port of entry.
If you are in the process of applying for a Green Card, you may be eligible for an Advance Parole document if:
-You have applied for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)
-You have applied for asylum (Form I-589)
-You are a DACA recipient
The Green Card Process
The answer to this question depends on your specific situation. If you have applied for a green card and are waiting for it to be approved, you may be able to travel using what is known as a “advance parole” document. This document allows you to return to the United States after traveling abroad, and is typically valid for one year.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone is eligible for advance parole. For example, if you have applied for a green card based on asylum or refugee status, you will not be eligible for advance parole. Additionally, if you have been convicted of a crime or are otherwise deemed inadmissible to the United States, you will also not be eligible for advance parole.
If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for advance parole, it’s best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before making any travel plans.
Traveling on a Green Card
Most people who have a green card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card (PDF, 6.77 MB) can travel outside the United States and return. If you plan to travel outside the United States, be sure to take your green card with you. You may also need other documents, such as a passport. You should carry your green card with you at all times so that you can prove your immigration status if necessary.
If you are returning from a trip abroad, you should have no problem reentering the United States with your green card However, if your green card is lost or stolen, you should report the loss or theft to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible so that you can get a replacement card.
If you are planning to apply for naturalization, you may want to check the requirements to ensure that travel will not adversely affect your application.
Renewing Your Green Card
If you are a permanent resident (green card holder), you are allowed to travel outside the United States. However, if you will be gone for more than one year, you will need to obtain a reentry permit. If you do not obtain a reentry permit and you are gone for more than one year, you will be required to apply for a new Green card upon your return.
There are two ways to apply for a reentry permit:
-You can apply for a reentry permit before you leave the United States by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
-You can apply for a reentry permit when you return to the United States after your trip by filing Form I-131 with USCIS.
Green Card Eligibility
You may travel internationally if you have a pending or approved I-485, Application to Adjust Status, as long as you have a valid advance parole document. This is also true even if your I-485 has been denied but your appeal is still pending.
Green Card Fees
If you are in the process of applying for a green card, you may be wondering if you are able to travel while your application is still pending. The answer to this question depends on a few different factors, including the type of visa you have and the country you are traveling to.
Generally speaking, if you have a valid visa, you should be able to travel while your green card application is still pending. However, it is important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are traveling to a country that requires a visa for US citizens, you will need to obtain a visa before traveling.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that even if you are able to travel while your green card application is pending, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the United States. If your green card application is denied, you will not be able to re-enter the United States until your status has been updated.
Green Card Application Process
If you are in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and wish to apply for a green card, you must go through a two-step process. First, you must file an immigrant petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Second, if your immigrant petition is approved, you must file an application for a green card with the USCIS. The entire process can take several months or even years to complete.
If you are outside the United States when you file your immigrant petition, you will need to wait for your petition to be approved before you can apply for a green card. The waiting period can be several months or even years, depending on the visa category you are applying under and the country of your nationality.
If you are in the United States when you file your immigrant petition, you may be able to apply for a green card without having to leave the country. This is called “adjustment of status.”
Green Card Interview
If you have an upcoming interview for your green card, you may be wondering if you are able to travel outside of the country The answer to this question is a bit complicated and depends on a few different factors.
First, it is important to understand that the green card interview is the final step in the green card process. After your interview, the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) will either approve or deny your application for a green card. If your application is approved, you will be issued a physical green card which will arrive in the mail within a few weeks.
If you are still in process of getting your green card, this means that you have not yet been issued a physical green card. In this case, you may still travel outside of the United States, but there are some important things to keep in mind.
First, you will need to have what is called an “advance parole” document in order to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. This document can take up to 120 days to process, so it is important to apply for it well in advance of any planned travel.
Second, even if you have an advance parole document, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter the United States. When you apply for advance parole, USCIS will review your case and decide whether or not they believe that you will return to the United States after traveling abroad. If they do not believe that you will return, they may deny your request for advance parole.
As such, it is generally advisable to wait until you have received your physical green card before traveling outside of the United States. However, if you do need to travel while your green card is still in process, be sure to apply for advance parole well in advance of your trip.
Green Card Timeline
If you are immigrating to the United States through a family member or employment sponsor, you will go through a process called adjustment of status. This process can take several months or even years to complete, depending on your individual circumstances.
During this time, you will be in what is known as “limbo.” You will be in the United States legally, but you will not have your green card yet. This can create some challenges when it comes to travel.
The good news is that you are allowed to travel while your green card is in process. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind. First, you will need what is called an “advance parole” document from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This document basically allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. Without it, you will not be able to come back into the country.
Secondly, it is important to understand that traveling while your green card is in process does not mean that your adjustment of status process will be automatically put on hold. In other words, just because you leave the country for a short period of time does not mean that your application will be put on the back burner. USCIS has been known to expedite applications for those who have traveled recently, so it is actually in your best interest to keep your plans to travel during this time period.
Finally, it is important to remember that even though you are allowed to travel while your green card is in limbo, it does not mean that you are a US citizen yet. Therefore, if you run into any trouble while abroad, the US government may not be able to help you as much as they would if you were already a citizen. So just use good judgement and common sense when traveling during this time period.
Green Card Tips
There are a few things to keep in mind if you are traveling while your green card is still in process. First, make sure you have all of the necessary documents with you, including your passport, I-94 form, and I-797 form. Second, be prepared to explain the purpose of your trip to immigration officials if asked. And finally, remember that you may be subject to additional scrutiny and secondary inspection at airports or other borders. If you have any questions or concerns, it’s always best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before traveling.
