Hello guys if you are planning for a trip but also renewing your green card and feeling a bit worried about your journey. It’s okay. lots of people face the same situation. They’re not sure about the rules or what they should do. But there’s no need to worry. We have a special guide that will make everything about traveling with a green card super easy to understand.
We’ve got some really simple tips and advice that will help you travel with no trouble at all. You’ll find out what papers you need to have with you and how to make sure your green card renewal keeps going well. Let’s get you all set for your fun trip and make sure your green card renewal is all good to go.Â
If you’re renewing your green card and planning a trip. you need to know about Form I-131, or the Application for Travel Document. This form is super important because it lets you come back to the U.S and Your own country. easily while your renewal is still happening. Make sure to apply for it well before you go as it takes some time to get ready.
If You don’t have this form, you could have trouble coming back into the U.S. Remember to keep an eye on your renewal and any updates from immigration while you’re traveling. Having the right papers and staying up-to-date means you can travel without worry and come back to the U.S. smoothly.
Traveling with Advance Parole
Advance Parole is a special permission form for people waiting for their U.S. Green Card Renewal. It lets them travel outside the U.S. and come back while their Green Card application is being processed. This permission is given by a U.S. government office called USCIS.
- Get Advance Parole: First apply for Advance Parole by filling out Form I-131 and sending it to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with all needed papers and fees.
- Wait for the Approval: The time it takes to get Advance Parole can be different each time, so apply early before you plan to travel. When approved, USCIS will send you the Advance Parole document.
- Know its Limits: Remember Advance Parole doesn’t always mean you can re-enter the U.S. Customs officers will decide if you can come back in.
- Travel at the Right Time: Make sure you travel within the dates given on your Advance Parole. Traveling outside these dates might cause problems when you try to come back.
- Take the Right Documents: Always have your Advance Parole paper, passport, and other important immigration documents with you while traveling.
- Coming Back to the U.S.: When you return, show the customs officer your Advance Parole, passport, and any other documents they ask for.Be ready to talk about your travel and immigration status. Â
- Keep Your Status: Stay within the rules of your Advance Parole. This travel usually doesn’t impact applications like status changes, but it’s best to talk to an immigration lawyer for advice on your situation.
Benefits of Advance Parole
Advance Parole is very helpful for people going through U.S. immigration:
- Travel Anywhere: Its main advantage is letting you travel outside the U.S. and come back, especially useful if you’re waiting for your Green Card or other immigration approvals.
- Keep Your Application Safe: With Advance Parole, you can leave the U.S. without harming your ongoing immigration applications. Without it, your application might be considered abandoned.
- Deal with Personal or Urgent Matters: It gives you the freedom to handle personal, emergency, or work-related things in other countries without risking your status in the U.S.
- Stay on Track for Citizenship: If you want to become a U.S. citizen, it’s important to stay in the country for a certain time. Traveling with Advance Parole means time away won’t break this requirement.
- Worry-Free Travel: Having Advance Parole means less stress when traveling. You know you can leave for good reasons and come back with less chance of problems at the border as long as you follow the rules of Advance Parole.
To get Travel Advance Parole, follow these steps:
- See if You Qualify: First make sure you can apply for Advance Parole. It’s usually for those changing their visa status or applying for certain U.S. immigration benefits.
- Fill in the Form: Complete Form I-131, which is the application for a travel document like Advance Parole. Â
- Collect Needed Papers: Get together all the papers you need for your application. This often means things like proof of your current visa status, any letters from USCIS, and reasons for your trip.
- Pay the Fee: Look up the fee for Form I-131 on the USCIS website and pay it. The cost might change depending on your situation.
- Send Your Application: Mail your filled-out Form I-131, the papers you collected, and your payment to the USCIS address listed on their website. The address might be different based on where you live.
- Wait for an Answer: Once you’ve sent everything, wait for USCIS to process your application. You can check online to see where it stands.
- Get Your Travel Document: If everything goes well USCIS will send you your Advance Parole Make sure to check when it’s valid before you plan any trips.
Key Strategies for Smooth Travels While Renewing Your Green Card
When renewing your Green Card and planning to travel it’s important to follow these simple steps:Â Â
- Get a Receipt Notice from USCIS: After you apply for Green Card renewal (Form I-90), you’ll get a receipt from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Keep this receipt with you when you travel; it shows that you’ve applied for renewal.Â
- Take Your Expired Green Card: Always bring your expired Green Card with you. It shows that you’re a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
- Make Sure Your Passport is Valid: Your passport should be from your home country and must be valid. It’s best if it’s valid for six months after you plan to come back to the U.S.
- Think About Getting Advance Parole: If you’ll be outside the U.S. for a long time or if your Green Card won’t be renewed before you come back, consider getting an Advance Parole document (Form I-131). This lets you come back to the U.S. without affecting your renewal.
- Be Ready When You Come Back to the U.S.: When you return, have your expired Green Card the USCIS receipt and your valid passport ready. You might have to answer some questions about your trip and your renewal at the entry point.
Essential Documents Required for Travel During Green Card Renewal Process
When traveling while your Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) is in the process of renewal, it’s essential to carry certain documents to ensure a smooth journey and re-entry into the United States. Here are the five major documents you should have:
- Passport: Carry a valid passport from your country of citizenship. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your date of return to the United States.
- Expired Green Card: Even though your Green Card is expired, it’s important to bring it with you. It serves as proof that you are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. Receipt Notice for Green Card Renewal.
- (Form I-797): This is the notice you receive from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after filing for Green Card renewal (Form I-90). It proves that you have applied for the renewal of your Green Card and that your application is being processed.
- Advance Parole Document: If you have applied for an Advance Parole document (Form I-131) and received it, this document allows you to return to the U.S. after traveling abroad. It’s crucial if you plan to leave the U.S. for an extended period or if you’re traveling while your Green Card renewal is pending.
- Additional Supporting Documents: Depending on your specific situation, it might be prudent to carry additional supporting documents.
- Evidence of ties to the U.S. (like employment verification, lease or property documents).
- Travel itinerary.Â
- Emergency contacts.Â
- Any other correspondence with USCIS regarding your status.
Risks of Traveling while Green Card in renewal.
Traveling while you’re renewing your Green Card can be tricky and there are a few important things to watch out for:
- Carrying Proof of Your Status: If your Green Card has run out and you’re waiting for the new one you could have trouble showing you’re legally in the U.S. This might be a problem if you run into legal issues or need to prove your status for work.
- Getting Back into the U.S.: A big issue with traveling while your Green Card is being renewed is that you might find it hard to get back into the country. Without your valid Green Card or something temporary like the I-551 stamp, you could face delays or even not be allowed back in at the border.
- Delays in the Renewal Process: If you’re out of the U.S., your renewal might take longer. The USCIS might need more documents or need to get in touch with you, and being away can make this harder.
- Risk of Losing Your Resident Status: If you’re out of the U.S. for too long, like over six months, it might seem like you’ve given up your resident status. If you can’t show that you still have a strong connection to the U.S., you could have issues when you come back.
- Work-Related Problems: If you’re working in the U.S., being away during the renewal can affect your job. Your employer might need to see proof that you’re allowed to work, which could be tough if your Green Card has expired.
- Getting Help from U.S. Embassies: If something goes wrong while you’re away, getting help as a Green Card holder can be limited. U.S. embassies and consulates usually help citizens more, so your resident status might make things more complicated.
- Impact on Becoming a U.S. Citizen: If you want to become a U.S. citizen, spending time outside the U.S. can affect your eligibility. It’s important to keep a clear record of the time you’ve spent in the U.S.
- Emergencies While Abroad: In an emergency like health issues or a family crisis, being out of the U.S. with an expired Green Card can make it hard to come back quickly.
Green Card Renewal Process, important documents, and renewal fees.
Green Card Renewal Process involves several key steps, gathering important documents, and understanding the associated fees. Here’s a breakdown to guide you through.
- Look at Your Green Card’s Expiry Date: First, see when your Green Card is going to expire. It’s best to start renewing it six months before the expiry date.Â
- Fill in Form I-90: Complete the Form I-90, also known as the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. You can do this online on the USCIS website or send it in by mail.
- What You Need to Gather:Â Â
- Your current Green Card.Â
- A photo ID like your driver’s license or passport.Â
- Sometimes, USCIS might ask for more documents.
- Application Fee: The total fee for renewal is usually around $540, including $455 for the application and $85 for biometrics (your fingerprints and photo). These fees can change, so make sure to check the latest amount on the USCIS website.
- Biometrics Appointment: USCIS will let you know when to come in for your biometrics appointment where they’ll take your fingerprints, photo, and signature.
- Keep an Eye on Your Application: Use the receipt number from USCIS to check your application status online. This helps you know how your renewal is going.
- Respond Quickly to USCIS: If they ask for more details or documents get back to them quickly to avoid any hold-ups.
- Getting Your New Green Card: Once it’s all done your new Green Card will be sent to you. Check it over to make sure all the details are right.
Conclusion
Dear friends in the final thought. If your Green Card renewal is pending, it’s best to avoid unnecessary trips outside the U.S. However, if you need to travel make sure to plan it well. Bring the right papers and be aware of the extra risks. Coming back into the U.S. can be tricky and you might face delays, but if you show that you applied for renewal in time and your trip was short, customs officers usually let you back in. Getting information and advice from an immigration lawyer can also make international travel easier while your Green Card is expired.
FAQ's
Green card renewal
how long does it take to renew green card 2024?
As of 2024, renewing a Green Card typically takes about 5 to 12 months. However, processing times can vary based on individual cases and current USCIS workloads.
how much to renew green card 2024?
As of 2024, the fee to renew a Green Card is $540, which includes a $455 application fee and an $85 biometrics fee. However, fees are subject to change, so it’s advisable to check the latest on the USCIS website.
What documents do i need to renew my green card?
- Form I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
- Current Green Card: Copy of the front and back of your existing card.
- Government-Issued ID: Such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Passport-style Photographs: Usually two recent photos.
- Supporting Documents: If applicable, such as name change documentation.
how long is advance parole valid?
Advance Parole usually lasts for 1 year from when it’s issued. The actual end date is on the document. Always check this before you travel to make sure it’s still valid.
can i renew my green card online?
Yes, you can renew your Green Card online. This is done by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, through the USCIS website. It’s a convenient way to handle your renewal process.
can i renew my green card with 2 DUI?
Yes you can renew your Green Card with two DUIs, but it may complicate the process. Criminal records including multiple DUIs, are reviewed by USCIS and can impact the decision. It’s advisable to consult an immigration attorney for guidance.
when should i renew my green card?
You should start the process of renewing your Green Card 6 months before it expires. However, if your card has already expired, you should apply for renewal as soon as possible. Timely renewal helps avoid complications with your legal status and eligibility for certain benefits.
