Contents
- Introduction: Why you might want to travel without a Green Card
- The benefits of traveling without a Green Card
- The drawbacks of traveling without a Green Card
- How to travel without a Green Card – The logistics
- What to do if you are stopped by immigration
- How to renew your travel documents
- What to do if you lose your travel documents
- The best places to travel without a Green Card
- The worst places to travel without a Green Card
- FAQs about traveling without a Green Card
Learn how to travel as a permanent resident without a green card by following these best practices.
Checkout this video:
Introduction: Why you might want to travel without a Green Card
As a permanent resident of the United States, you may have wondered whether you can travel internationally without a Green Card. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you go.
First, it’s important to understand that as a permanent resident, you have the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. However, your Green Card does not guarantee entry into other countries. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to check the requirements of your destination country before you travel.
Second, keep in mind that if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, you will need to take steps to maintain your status as a permanent resident. This includes having a valid Green Card and maintaining ties to the United States (such as keeping a job or owning property).
Finally, remember that if you are convicted of certain crimes or fail to meet other requirements, you could lose your status as a permanent resident. Therefore, it’s important to be familiar with the rules and regulations before you travel.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at some tips for traveling as a permanent resident without a Green Card.
The benefits of traveling without a Green Card
As a permanent resident, you are legally allowed to travel outside of the United States and return, as long as you have your valid Green Card with you. However, there are benefits to traveling without a Green Card. For example, if you lose your Green Card while you are outside of the United States, it can be difficult and expensive to replace it. If you decide to travel without a Green Card, you should carry with you other forms of identification, such as a passport from your country of citizenship, an expired Green Card, or a Form I-551 printed from the USCIS website.
The drawbacks of traveling without a Green Card
As a permanent resident, you are allowed to travel outside of the United States. However, there are some drawbacks to traveling without a Green Card.
First, if you plan to be gone for more than six months, you will need to get a Re-entry Permit from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A Re-entry Permit allows you to reapply for admission to the United States after traveling abroad for up to two years. Without a Re-entry Permit, you will have to apply for a new Green Card if you want to return to the United States after traveling abroad for more than six months.
Second, if you do not have a Green Card with you when you return to the United States from traveling abroad, you will be required to go through secondary inspection at the airport. During secondary inspection, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will review your documents and ask you questions about your trip. This process can take additional time, so it is important to have all of your documents in order before returning to the United States.
Lastly, if you are stopped by law enforcement while traveling without a Green Card, you may be detained and/or deported back to your country of citizenship. This is why it is so important to carry your Green Card with you when you travel outside of the United States as a permanent resident.
How to travel without a Green Card – The logistics
As a permanent resident, you are allowed to travel outside of the United States. However, you will need to have a few things in order before you leave. First, you will need a valid passport from your country of citizenship. You will also need to have your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) with you when you travel. If you do not have your Green Card, you will not be allowed back into the United States.
There are two ways to travel with your Green Card. You can either carry it with you or have it sent to you via courier when you arrive at your destination. If you choose to carry it with you, make sure that you keep it in a safe place and do not lose it. If you choose to have it sent to you, make sure that the address where it will be sent is safe and secure.
When traveling, there are a few other things that you should keep in mind. First, make sure that you keep your Green Card up to date. If it expires while you are away, you will not be able to return to the United States until it is renewed. Second, if you are planning on staying outside of the United States for an extended period of time, make sure that you notify the USCIS so that they can update their records. Lastly, if you are arrested or detained while traveling, make sure that you notify the consulate or embassy of your arrest so that they can assist you.
What to do if you are stopped by immigration
If you are stopped by immigration, always carry your permanent resident card with you. If you do not have your card with you, ask for a receipt from the officer and request that your card be returned to you as soon as possible.
If the officer asks for your name and address, give them your current address. If you have moved, update your address with USCIS so that we have your most current information on file.
Officers may also ask to see other identification documents, such as a passport from your home country. You should cooperate if the officer requests to see these documents.
How to renew your travel documents
Permanent residents of the United States who possess a green card are allowed to travel outside of the country and return, as long as they do not stay outside of the U.S. for more than one year. If you plan on staying outside of the U.S. for longer than one year, you will need to apply for a re-entry permit. A re-entry permit allows permanent residents to maintain their status while temporarily residing outside of the United States and is valid for two years.
If you do not have a re-entry permit and you have been outside of the United States for more than one year, you will need to apply for a returning resident visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy in order to return to the United States.
To apply for a re-entry permit, you will need to file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with USCIS before departing the United States.
You will also need to submit proof that you maintained your permanent resident status while living abroad and that you intend on returning to the United States as a permanent resident within the next six months
What to do if you lose your travel documents
If you’re a permanent resident of the United States, you may travel freely within the country and return to your home after temporary absences. However, you must have a valid, unexpired Green Card with you whenever you travel outside the United States and apply for admission into the country upon your return. If your Green Card is lost or stolen while you’re abroad, you may have trouble returning to the United States.
There are a few things you can do if you lose your Green Card while traveling:
-Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They can help you replace your Green Card.
-Apply for a new Green Card from inside the United States. You’ll need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may have to wait several months to get your new card.
-If you’re outside the United States when your Green Card is lost or stolen, you’ll need to apply for a returning resident visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate before you can return to the United States.
The best places to travel without a Green Card
There are many benefits to having a green card, but there are also many benefits to traveling without one. As a permanent resident, you have the right to live and work in the United States, but you are not a citizen. This means that you can travel freely throughout the country and its territories without a Green Card.
However, if you plan to travel outside of the United States, you will need to obtain a passport from your home country. You will also need to apply for a visa from the country you wish to visit. Visas can be obtained from your local embassy or consulate.
If you have a Green Card, you may be able to travel on it for short periods of time, but it is best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit before traveling.
The worst places to travel without a Green Card
There are a few places where it’s not advisable to travel without a Green Card, even if you are a permanent resident. These places are typically war-torn countries or places where the US government has advised against travel.
Some of the worst places to travel without a Green Card include:
-Syria
-Iraq
-Afghanistan
-Somalia
-Libya
-Yemen
FAQs about traveling without a Green Card
As a permanent resident of the United States, you are permitted to travel freely within the country. However, if you plan to leave the country and re-enter, you will need to present a valid passport, as well as your Permanent Resident Card (or “green card”).
If you do not have a green card, there are a few ways to obtain one. You can apply for a Green Card through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or you can apply for a travel document known as a Resident Returning Visa (RRV).
The process of applying for an RRV can be complicated, so it’s important to understand the requirements and procedures before beginning your application. This article will answer some common questions about traveling without a Green Card and how to obtain an RRV.