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If you have an expired green card and are planning on traveling outside of the United States, there are a few things you need to know. Follow these tips to make sure your trip goes smoothly.
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Introduction
Few things are as exciting as planning a trip abroad. But if you’re a permanent resident of the United States with an Expired green card, that excitement can quickly turn to anxiety. While it is possible to travel outside the US with an expired green card, there are a few things you need to do before you leave and when you return to ensure a smooth trip.
What is a Green Card?
A Green Card is an identification card that proves that you are a permanent resident of the United States. If you have a Green Card, you are allowed to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. You can also travel outside the U.S. and return as long as your Green Card is valid.
If your Green Card expires, you are still a permanent resident of the United States. However, if you want to travel outside the country and return, you will need to get a new Green Card before you leave.
What Happens if Your Green Card Expires While You are Outside the US?
If you are a permanent resident of the United States (green card holder), you are allowed to travel outside the US for short periods of time. However, if you are planning to be outside the US for an extended period of time, you need to make sure that your green card does not expire while you are gone. If your green card expires while you are outside the US, you will not be able to re-enter the country.
There are two ways to renew your green card if it expires while you are outside the US:
1) You can apply for a new Green card at a US embassy or consulate. This process can take several months, so it is important to plan ahead.
2) You can file for a green card renewal through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This process can take up to six months, so again, it is important to plan ahead.
If you do not renew your green card and it expires while you are outside the US, you will need to apply for a new green card in order to re-enter the country.
Can You Renew Your Green Card While Outside the US?
If your green card expires while you are outside the United States, you will need to renew it before you can return. Unfortunately, it is not possible to renew your green card while outside the US – you will need to go through the process of applying for a new green card.
How to Renew Your Green Card While Outside the US
If your green card expires while you are outside the United States, you will need to renew it before returning. The process for doing this is different than if you were inside the country, so it’s important to know what to expect.
To renew your green card while outside the United States, you will need to:
1) Submit a Green Card Renewal Application (Form I-90)
2) Pay the application fee
3) Send in proof of your current green card
4) Include two passport-style photos
Conclusion
If you are a permanent resident of the United States with an expired green card, you will need to obtain a new one before traveling outside of the country While it is possible to do this at a US consulate or embassy abroad, it is generally easier and faster to do it from within the US.
There are two ways to renew your green card from within the US: through regular mail or through an expedited process. The regular mail process can take up to 12 weeks, while the expedited process can take up to 8 weeks. If you need to travel urgently, you may be able to get a special travel document that will allow you to re-enter the US without a green card.
