How to Travel While You’re Waiting for Your Permanent Green Card

You’ve been waiting for your green card for what seems like forever. Here’s how to make the most of your time and travel while you’re waiting for your permanent green card.

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Introduction: Why You Might Need to Travel with a Green Card Pending

If you’re in the process of applying for a green card, you might need to travel while your application is pending. There are a few reasons why this might happen:

-You might need to return to your home country for a family emergency.
-You might need to travel for work or business.
-You might want to take a vacation.

If any of these situations arise, you’ll need to take some precautions to make sure that you can travel without any problems. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to travel while you’re waiting for your permanent green card.

How to Check If You’re Eligible to Travel with a Green Card Pending

If you have a green card pending, you may be wondering if you’re eligible to travel. Here’s what you need to know.

First, check the status of your green card application. If it is still pending, you are not yet eligible to travel.

If your green card has been approved, but you haven’t received it yet, you may be eligible to travel with a Green Card Pending form I-551. This form will serve as your temporary green card until you receive your permanent green card in the mail.

To travel with a Green Card Pending form I-551, you will need to have a valid passport from your country of citizenship, as well as a copy of your approved green card application (Form I-485). You will also need to provide proof of your current U.S. address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.

If you have any questions about whether or not you’re eligible to travel with a green card pending, contact an experienced immigration attorney for help.

Applying for Advance Parole

If you’re waiting for your permanent green card, you may be able to travel outside the United States by applying for advance parole. Advance parole allows you to return to the United States after traveling abroad, and it is typically valid for one year.

To apply for advance parole, you will need to complete Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You will also need to submit a passport-style photo, a copy of your green card application (Form I-485), and the fee.

After you submit your application, you will be interviewed by a USCIS officer. If your application is approved, you will be issued an advance parole document. This document should be presented to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer when you return to the United States.

Please note that if you leave the United States without advance parole, your green card application will be abandoned and you will not be allowed to return to the United States.

What to Do If Your Advance Parole Is Denied

If your advance parole is denied, you may be able to still travel using your current visa. However, you will need to check with the consulate of the country you are traveling to before you make any plans. If your advance parole is denied, you will need to reapply for it and follow the same application process outlined in this article.

How to Reenter the United States with Advance Parole

If you are a permanent resident of the United States (also called a “green card” holder), you are allowed to travel outside of the country However, if you plan to be gone for more than six months, you may have difficulty reentering the United States. This is because the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) says that if you are gone for more than six months, you are presumed to have abandoned your green card status.

There is a way to overcome this presumption, but it requires advance planning. You must apply for what is called “advance parole” before you leave the United States. Advance parole is a document that allows you to reenter the United States after traveling abroad. It does not guarantee entry, but it does allow you to reenter without having to apply for a new visa

You can apply for advance parole by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You must include evidence that you will return to the United States after your trip. For example, you might submit evidence that you have a job or property in the United States, or that your spouse and children live in the United States.

If your request for advance parole is approved, you will receive a document called an “Advance Parole Document.” You should carry this document with you when you travel, along with your passport and green card It is important to note that even if you have been granted advance parole, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry will make the final decision about whether or not to admit you into the country.

If you do not have advance parole and try to enter the United States without a visa, you will likely be denied entry and sent back to your home country

What to Do If You Can’t Get Advance Parole

If you’re waiting for your permanent green card, you may be wondering if you can travel outside the United States. The answer is maybe. It depends on whether you have what’s called “advance parole.”

Advance parole is permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to return to the United States after traveling abroad. If you have advance parole, you can come back to the United States even if your green card has not yet been issued.

If you don’t have advance parole, you will not be able to return to the United States after traveling abroad—even if your green card has been approved. That’s because without advance parole, USCIS will assume that you have abandoned your application for a green card.

So how do you get advance parole? You must apply for it using Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You can find the form on the USCIS website.

There is no filing fee for Form I-131 if you are applying for advance parole because of humanitarian reasons, such as to receive medical treatment or visit a sick family member. Otherwise, the filing fee is $575.

Once USCIS approves your Form I-131, they will issue you an “Advance Parole Document.” The document is generally valid for one year from the date of issuance and allows you to make multiple trips outside the United States during that time period

Applying for a Reentry Permit

If you plan to travel outside the United States while your green card application is pending, you will need to apply for a reentry permit. This permit allows you to leave the country and return during the pendency of your application. It is valid for two years from the date of issuance.

To apply for a reentry permit, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will need to submit proof of your green card application, such as your duplicate receipt notice or Approval Notice. You will also need to submit proof of payment for the filing fee.

Once USCIS has received and processed your application, they will mail you a notice telling you that your reentry permit has been issued. You should receive this notice within two weeks of USCIS receiving your application. If you do not receive a notice within this timeframe, you should contact USCIS to inquire about the status of your application.

How to Reenter the United States with a Reentry Permit

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you may leave the country and reenter using a valid passport and your Permanent Resident Card (PRC, or Green Card). If you will be traveling outside the United States for more than one year but less than two years, you should apply for a Reentry Permit. With this permit, you will not need to obtain a new immigrant visa if you return to the United States within the period specified on your permit.

You can apply for a Reentry Permit:
-By mail
-At a USCIS office

To apply for a Reentry Permit, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

What to Do If You Can’t Get a Reentry Permit

If you have an immigrant visa, you generally cannot leave the United States until you have been sworn in as a permanent resident. If you try to leave the country before you are sworn in, you may not be able to return. If you must leave the United States before you are sworn in as a permanent resident, you should apply for a reentry permit.

What if I can’t get a reentry permit?
If you cannot get a reentry permit, there are other options for traveling while you are waiting for your green card. You may be able to apply for a provisional waiver or travel document.

A provisional waiver allows certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for a waiver of the unlawful presence grounds of inadmissibility. If the waiver is approved, the applicant can then depart the United States to attend their immigrant visa interview without having to worry about being denied entry due to unlawful presence.

A travel document is an official document that proves that you are allowed to travel outside the United States and return. There are two types of travel documents: advance parole and boarding foil. An advance parole allows you to return to the United States after traveling abroad, as long as you return before the advance parole expires. A boarding foil allows you to board a plane or ship bound for the United States even if you do not have a valid visa.

Other Options for Traveling While Your Green Card Is Pending

If you are waiting for your permanent green card, there are other options for traveling. You may be able to travel on your passport with a valid visa or on an Advance Parole document. You should check with the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be applying for your green card to find out what travel documents they recommend.