US Green Card Holders: Know When Your Travel Expires

If you’re a US green card holder, it’s important to keep track of when your travel documents expire. Learn more about what to do if your travel expires while you’re outside the United States.

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Introduction

If you are a permanent resident of the United States, it is important to know when your travel document expires. The expiration date is listed on the front of your Permanent Resident Card, also known as a Green Card. Depending on how you obtained your Green Card, it will expire after either 10 years or 2 years.

If you obtained your Green Card through employment, you will have a 10-year expiration date. If you obtained your Green Card through marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident, you will have a 2-year expiration date. If your Green Card has expired, you will need to renew it before traveling outside of the United States.

It is important to keep track of the expiration date on your Green Card and make sure to renew it in a timely manner. If you let your Green Card expire and try to renew it after it has expired, you may be required to go through the entire process of applying for a new Green Card, which can take several months or longer.

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States, make sure to check the expiration date on your Green Card and renew it if necessary. For more information about renewing your Green Card, please visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.

What is a Green Card?

A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document that proves that an immigrant to the United States has been granted permission to live and work permanently in the country. The card itself is evidence of the holder’s permanent resident status.

The term “Green Card” is derived from its original color before it was changed to be green and white starting in May 2010. The very first Green Cards were actually pink. Each following design has had different colors, but all have included the words “United States of America” and “Permanent Resident” along with the individual’s name, photograph, fingerprints, signature, and an expiration date.

How to check the expiration date of your Green Card

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you will be issued a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card (PRC)). The PRC expires every 10 years, but it is Easy to check the expiration date of your Green Card.

The front side of the card contains the following information:
-The expiration date is printed on the bottom right corner of the card
-The cardholder’s name and photo are on the front of the card
-The issuing authority and expiration date are on the back of the card

To check when your PRC expires, look at the bottom right corner of the card. The expiration date is printed in mm/dd/yy format. For example, if your PRC expires on October 10, 2020, it will say “10/10/20” on the front of your card.

It is important to keep in mind that you cannot travel outside of the United States if your Green Card has expired. If you need to travel while your Green Card is expired, you will need to apply for a new one.

What happens if your Green Card expires while you are outside the United States?

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder), it is important to know that your Green Card expires. You are required to keep your Green Card valid and update it with USCIS if you move or change your name.

What happens if your Green Card expires while you are outside the United States?

If you are outside the United States when your Green Card expires, you will need to apply for a reentry permit at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A reentry permit allows you to apply for readmission to the United States after traveling abroad for up to two years. Without a valid Green Card or reentry permit, you will not be allowed to board a plane to return to the United States and will not be allowed to enter the country if you attempt to do so by land or sea.

What happens if your Green Card expires while you are inside the United States?

If you are a permanent resident of the United States (i.e. have a “Green Card”), you are required to maintain your status by living in the country for at least six months out of every twelve-month period. If you plan to travel outside of the United States for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a “reentry permit” from the USCIS before you leave. Without a valid reentry permit, you will not be allowed to return to the United States after your trip.

If your Green Card expires while you are inside the United States, you will not automatically lose your status as a permanent resident. However, if you are outside of the United States when your Green Card expires, you will lose your status and will need to apply for a new Green Card if you wish to return to the United States.

How to renew your Green Card

It’s important to know when your Green Card expires. If you are a Green Card holder, you are allowed to live and work permanently in the United States. However, you will need to renew your Green Card every 10 years.

If your Green Card expires, you can renew it by mail or in person. To renew by mail, complete and sign Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Include the required fee and any supporting documents, and submit it to USCIS by mail.

To renew in person, you will need to schedule an appointment with USCIS and bring your expired Green Card, a completed Form I-90, two passport-style photos, proof of identity and residency in the U.S., and the required fee. Additional requirements may apply depending on how long it has been since your last renewal.

For more information on how to renew your Green Card, visit USCIS’ website or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this guide. We hope it was helpful in understanding the travel expiration dates for green card holders. For more questions or clarification, please contact the nearest US embassy or consulate.

Resources

There are a few resources that US Green Card holders can use to keep track of when their travel documents expire. The first is the US State Department’s website, which has a tool that allows users to input their passport information and receive expiration alerts. The second is the US Customs and Border Protection website, which has a similar tool for inputting travel document information. Finally, the US Department of Homeland Security’s website also has a tool for tracking the expiration of travel documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a green card holder, it is important to know when your travel privileges expire. Depending on how and when you obtained your green card, your expiration date will be different. The following are some frequently asked questions about traveling with a green card:

Q: I have a green card that expires in 2020. Can I still use it to travel?

Yes, you can still use your green card to travel until it expires. However, we recommend renewing it before you travel so that you do not have any problems at the airport or border.

Q: I obtained my green card through marriage. Does that mean my travel privileges will expire when my marriage does?

No, your travel privileges will not necessarily expire if your marriage does. If you obtained your green card through marriage and your marriage ends, you should contact USCIS for more information about renewing or re-obtaining your green card.

Q: I am a permanent resident of the United States but I am not a citizen. Am I allowed to leave the country and come back?

Yes, as a permanent resident of the United States, you are allowed to leave the country and come back. However, we recommend that you carry proof of your status with you when you travel, such as a copy of your green card or permanent resident card.

About the Author

As a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident of the United States, it is important to keep your travel documents up to date and know when they expire. The expiration date is listed on the front of your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card or Green Card). If your Permanent Resident Card will expire in the next 6 months, you should apply for a new card

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommends that you apply for a new Permanent Resident Card well in advance of the expiration date. If you have not received your new card within 120 days of the expiration date, you may contact USCIS to inquire about the status of your application.