First trip abroad after Green Card

[tom&tanya 48]

My step daughter received her green card in Nov 2010 and then returned to University the same week after she received it. She is now coming home (back to the USA) for 3 weeks in February before returning to complete the school year.

I have a few questions.

What form should she be filling out on the plane?

What line should she use at POE? She is arriving alone without a US citizen with her. I think she should use the US citizen line but I'm not 100% certain.

What questions do you think they will ask her at POE?

Any other tips or things I should be aware of are welcome.

Thanks

[w8inglongtime 29]

My step daughter received her green card in Nov 2010 and then returned to University the same week after she received it. She is now coming home (back to the USA) for 3 weeks in February before returning to complete the school year.

I have a few questions.

What form should she be filling out on the plane?

What line should she use at POE? She is arriving alone without a US citizen with her. I think she should use the US citizen line but I'm not 100% certain.

What questions do you think they will ask her at POE?

Any other tips or things I should be aware of are welcome.

Thanks

Most airports have 2 lines. 1 for citizens/LPR and 1 for visitors. Regarding what questions she'll be asked no one knows unless she's been gone for more than 6 months. Since this appears to be her first trip since becoming a LPR, they may not ask any questions but on her next trip, they may want to know why she's spending months outside the U.S and only 3 weeks in the U.S.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My step daughter received her green card in Nov 2010 and then returned to University the same week after she received it. She is now coming home (back to the USA) for 3 weeks in February before returning to complete the school year.

I have a few questions.

What form should she be filling out on the plane?

What line should she use at POE? She is arriving alone without a US citizen with her. I think she should use the US citizen line but I'm not 100% certain.

What questions do you think they will ask her at POE?

Any other tips or things I should be aware of are welcome.

Thanks

The same form you would...for returning "citizens and residents" and she can use the "citizens and residents" line at POE. They will probably not ask her much, maybe what was the purpose of her trip. Say "I am a student". We have never had a problem with Sergey and he is gone for 10 months at a time. We travel to Canada frequently and we have more questions when re-entering from Canada than from when we go to Ukraine, but still not very much. She can expect basically the same procedure you would.

IF she is going to be gone for more than six months, but less than one year, she should bring with her when she returns...

1. Proof she is a student outside the country(student ID for example)

2. Some other proof of US residency besides the green card. Sergey has a Vermont drivers license, a debit card from his US bank, his US military (SSS) draft registration, and this year he will have a copy of his US income tax return.

While she is here, get her some other form of ID, even a drivers learners permit or state ID card, a debit card for a bank account, etc.

Sergey has never been asked to show any of this but it is advisable that she have it just in case.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Most airports have 2 lines. 1 for citizens/LPR and 1 for visitors. Regarding what questions she'll be asked no one knows unless she's been gone for more than 6 months. Since this appears to be her first trip since becoming a LPR, they may not ask any questions but on her next trip, they may want to know why she's spending months outside the U.S and only 3 weeks in the U.S.

Being gone for 6 months but less than 12 months does not necessarliy mean any particular questions. But it is best to be prepared in case it happens. They MAY question why you were gone for that period of time and whether you intend to remain a US resident. You do not need an AP or re-entry permit unless you will be gone more than one year.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

My step daughter received her green card in Nov 2010 and then returned to University the same week after she received it. She is now coming home (back to the USA) for 3 weeks in February before returning to complete the school year.

I have a few questions.

What form should she be filling out on the plane?

What line should she use at POE? She is arriving alone without a US citizen with her. I think she should use the US citizen line but I'm not 100% certain.

What questions do you think they will ask her at POE?

Any other tips or things I should be aware of are welcome.

Thanks

1. She should fill out the BLUE/LIGHT BLUE CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM (CBP 6059B)

2. She can use the US RESIDENT or US CITIZEN LINE (which ever is short-er)

3. They will ask her maybe: where do you work (if working, ) school you attend? were did you travel to? or similar

** i dont see anything else to worry about She's only been gone for 2 months** My parents got to the USA on 12/19/2010 and they left on 1/2/2011 and the Greencards got in the mail today... and they will not be back in the USA until about June 2011 just prior to the 6 months... for them they may be asked why they are away do long