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A green card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. If you have a green card and travel outside the United States, you should know the rules and requirements for returning.
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Applying for a Green Card
If you’re a permanent resident of the United States with a Green Card you might want to travel outside the country. Whether you’re going on vacation, visiting family, or taking a business trip, you need to know the ins and outs of traveling with a green card.
First and foremost, you need to have your green card with you whenever you travel outside the United States. This is your proof that you are a lawful permanent resident and it allows you to return to the US after your trip. If you do not have your green card with you, you may be denied re-entry into the country.
Second, keep in mind that your green card does not expire. However, if you are traveling on an expired passport, you will need to renew it before returning to the United States.
Third, if your trip will last longer than six months, you will need to apply for a reentry permit before leaving the country. This permit allows lawful permanent residents to maintain their status while outside the US for up to two years. Without this permit, your green card will be considered abandoned and it will be canceled.
Lastly, if you are planning to apply for US citizenship, keep in mind that any time spent outside the country can delay or affect your application. If you are away for more than six months, you may be required to submit additional documentation or even start your application process over again from scratch.
The Green Card Application Process
If you’re a traveler with a US green card, there are a few things you need to know about the application process. First, you will need to complete an online application. Then, you will need to submit your passport and other required documents. Finally, you will need to attend an interview.
1. Complete the online application. The first step in the process is to complete an online application. This will include basic information about yourself, as well as your travel plans.
2. Submit your passport and other required documents. Once you have completed the online application, you will need to submit your passport and other required documents. These may include your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
3. Attend an interview. After you have submitted your documents, you will be scheduled for an interview. During the interview, a consular officer will ask you questions about your travel plans and your background.
Green Card Eligibility
To be eligible for a Green Card, you must be one of the following:
-A person who has been granted asylum in the United States
-A refugee who has been resettled in the United States
-A trafficking victim who has cooperated with law enforcement
-A person who has been granted withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture
-A spouse or child of an asylee or refugee if they are seeking to enter the United States to reunite with their family member
The Green Card Interview
Green card holders are legal permanent residents of the United States and are entitled to all the rights and responsibilities that come with that status. One of those responsibilities is to maintain their residency by being physically present in the US for at least six months out of every year.
If you are a green card holder and you plan to travel outside the United States, it’s important to understand the requirements for re-entering the country. One of those requirements is an interview with a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
The purpose of the interview is to verify your identity and confirm that you meet the requirements for re-entry. You will need to bring some documents with you to your interview, including your passport, green card, and proof of travel.
You may also be asked about your plans for your trip, how long you plan to be gone, and where you will be staying. Be prepared to answer these questions truthfully and clearly. If you have any doubts about whether or not you will be able to re-enter the United States after your trip, it’s best to consult with an immigration attorney before you travel.
After the Green Card Interview
After the Green Card Interview
Travelers with a US Green Card need to be aware of a few things before they leave the United States. First, they need to make sure that their passport is up to date and will not expire while they are away. Secondly, they need to get a travel insurance policy that will cover them while they are traveling. Finally, they should check with their bank to see if there are any special requirements for using their debit or credit card overseas.
Renewing or Replacing Your Green Card
If you have a green card (permanent resident card), you should keep it with your valid passport in a safe, secure place. You will need to show your green card whenever you travel outside the United States and return, apply for certain government benefits, or prove your immigration status to an employer.
You may be eligible to renew or replace your green card if it has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, or if your name or other information has changed since you were originally issued the card. You may also need to get a new green card if you were issued a limited edition card that has since expired.
To renew or replace your green card, you will need to submit Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. You will also need to submit proof of your identity and residency in the United States, as well as a photograph. There is a filing fee for Form I-90, which can be found on the form’s instructions page.
If you are outside the United States when your green card expires, you will need to apply for a new Green card once you return to the United States. For more information on applying for a green card from outside the United States, please see our Green Card for Travelers Outside the United States page.
Losing Your Green Card
If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (a “green card” holder), you have certain rights and responsibilities. Among other things, you have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, to travel freely within the United States, and to apply for U.S. citizenship. You also have certain responsibilities, such as paying taxes and obeying all U.S. laws.
One of the most important things to remember as a green card holder is that your green card is not permanent. If you violate certain terms of your green card status, you can be removable (deported) from the United States. One way to lose your green card is by abandoning your residency.
If you leave the United States for more than one year without getting permission from the U.S. government to do so, you will be considered to have abandoned your residency. Additionally, if you leave the United States for more than six months but less than one year without getting permission from the U.S. government to do so, and if you can’t prove that you had “reasonably concluded” that you would be returning to the United States within that time frame, you will also be considered to have abandoned your residency.
If you abandonment your residency, you will lose your green card and will no longer be allowed to live or work in the United States permanently. Additionally, if you try to re-enter the United States without proper documentation after abandoning your residency, you will be subject to removal (deportation).
The Green Card Lottery
The Green Card Lottery is a program that makes 55,000 permanent resident visas (also known as green cards) available each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State and the registration period for the lottery typically opens in October each year.
To be eligible for the lottery, applicants must meet certain criteria, including being from an eligible country and having a high school education or its equivalent. If selected, winners will be contacted by the Department of State and will be required to complete additional steps in order to receive their green card.
The Green Card Lottery is one way that people from around the world can obtain a green card and live and work in the United States permanently. For more information on this program and other ways to obtain a green card, please visit our website or contact one of our knowledgeable immigration attorneys.
Other Ways to Get a Green Card
There are other ways to get a green card besides applying for one. If you have a family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for a green card. You may also be eligible for a green card through employment, investment, or asylum.
Traveling with a Green Card
If you have a green card (official proof of permanent residence in the United States), you are free to travel in and out of the country as much as you’d like. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Your green card is valid for 10 years. You will need to renew it before it expires.
You will need to have a valid green card with you whenever you travel outside of the United States.
You may be asked to present your green card at customs when you return to the United States.
If your green card is lost or stolen while you are outside of the United States, you should contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for assistance.
You should also carry with you other forms of identification, such as a passport from your country of citizenship.
