Q&A

Can you travel outside the US with an expired Green Card?

Can you travel outside the US with an expired Green Card?

Traveling outside the United States with an expired green card can be even more risky. For starters, some airlines won’t board a passenger with a green card that has expired. U.S. law requires airlines to check for proof of permanent residence before boarding.

Can a green card holder travel to any country in the world?

Because of this, many places have extended the same privilege to holders of the US permanent residence permit (Green Card). There are several countries that you can visit with your Green Card, that you otherwise may not be able to. Neighbouring Mexico and Canada are just two of them. Can All Green Card Holders Travel Abroad Without a Visa?

What happens to your green card when you leave the US?

Green card holders are able to leave the United States to travel to other countries. In order to reenter the country, you will need to present a valid, unexpired green card at a port of entry. But what happens if your green card expires while you are traveling outside the United States?

Can You renew your green card while out of the country?

In fact, you can file to renew your green card if it will expire within the next six months and you are a permanent resident with a Form I-551 that has been valid for ten years. Therefore, if you know your green card will expire while you are out of the country, you should take steps to renew it before you depart. Expiration While Traveling

What happens when your green card expires outside the US?

But what happens if your green card expires while you are traveling outside the United States? If you are traveling outside the United States and your green card will expire within six months, you can file for green card renewal as soon as you return to the United States.

Can you travel outside the US with a green card?

Not so fast. The weird thing about traveling outside the US after you have submitted an adjustment of status green card application is that you have technically abandoned whatever visa status you enter the United States on. Once that happens you are technically in limbo until the green card application has either been approved or denied.

In fact, you can file to renew your green card if it will expire within the next six months and you are a permanent resident with a Form I-551 that has been valid for ten years. Therefore, if you know your green card will expire while you are out of the country, you should take steps to renew it before you depart. Expiration While Traveling

How long does a conditional green card last?

Green cards, aka Permanent Resident Cards, are generally valid for 10 years. But if you have been offered conditional permanent resident status instead, then the card will be available for a shorter period, of respectively 2 years.