US-Visit Program

[DeeBee 1]

I got my Permanent Resident card recently, and will be going out of the country to visit my family for a couple of months. I've left/entered the country numerous times on visas, but never on a GC, so I'm just wondering "what there is to know"?

I guess my main question is that I'm used to going up to the US-Visit machine when I leave... Will I still need to do that?

And when I return, I just show my GC and passport?

Many thanks...

[Niels Bohr 72]

You need to file I-131 for a Re-Entry permit. This will allow you to re-enter the USA without a passport. It's very important that you do get this green (re-entry) permit (a small book like a passport) .

Edited March 13, 2008 by consolemaster

[DeeBee 1]

You need to file I-131 for a Re-Entry permit. This will allow you to re-enter the USA without a passport. It's very important that you do get this green (re-entry) permit (a small book like a passport) .

What are you talking about? I have a green card.

Edited March 13, 2008 by DeeBee

[Niels Bohr 72]

A green card, and a re-entry permit which the color is green is not the same thing! READ CAREFULLY! I am helping you.

A green card doesn't inherently allow you to re-enter the US. You need the re-rentry permit as well.

Edited March 13, 2008 by consolemaster

[DeeBee 1]

A green card, and a re-entry permit which the color is green is not the same thing! READ CAREFULLY! I am helping you.

A green card doesn't inherently allow you to re-enter the US. You need the re-rentry permit as well.

As far I knew, the whole point of a green card was to allow you to live and work in the U.S., and travel. The AP document is the only travel document I've heard of and that's for people who's green cards are pending. Can you show me a thread for what you're talking about? Come to think of it I know you need special stuff if you're leaving the country for a year, but I'm just going for 4-8 weeks... Thanks.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Advance Parole is not a Re-Entry permit. Don't get those two confused. Advance Parole is for K-1 Visas, and Re-Entry Permit is for Green Card Holders.

Check out form I-131 instructions. I think you'll find it at the USCIS website.

[DeeBee 1]

Advance Parole is not a Re-Entry permit. Don't get those two confused. Advance Parole is for K-1 Visas, and Re-Entry Permit is for Green Card Holders.

Check out form I-131 instructions. I think you'll find it at the USCIS website.

I am so confused

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's true that the green card give you those priveleges. But, traveling is not related to those priveleges.

[DeeBee 1]

What about this thread?...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1306010

[Niels Bohr 72]

I don't know if that thread assumes you already have a re-entry permit. But, that post from somebody about showing GC with a passport is unclear. I'm not sure if it's the foreign passport or not, or is it referring to a US passport. GC owners cannot carry passport yet. Although, the re-entry permit looks like a passport.

I did enter with a friend of mine who also carried a GC. He had with him a re-entry permit as well when he returned to POE on his arrival.

Edited March 13, 2008 by consolemaster

[DeeBee 1]

I don't know if that thread assumes you already have a re-entry permit. But, that post from somebody about showing GC with a passport is unclear. I'm not sure if it's the foreign passport or not, or is it referring to a US passport. GC owners cannot carry passport yet. Although, the re-entry permit looks like a passport.

Okay... This is straight from the USCIS website:

A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration.

[DeeBee 1]

I'm not gonna hold my breath on getting a reply on that one...

:ot2:

Can anyone tell me about the process? Especially whether or not a GC holder has to use the US-Visit terminal when exiting?

Many thanks...

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hmm...Honestly, myself I never traveled while I had the GC. It's only when I obtained my citizenship through naturalization is when I really traveled. I only see other people through my own eyes personally who walk through POE with a green card.

The last time I went, the person didn't use the US-Visit exit terminal.

Edited March 13, 2008 by consolemaster

[DeeBee 1]

Hmm...Honestly, myself I never traveled while I had the GC. It's only when I obtained my citizenship through naturalization is when I really traveled. I only see other people through my own eyes personally who walk through POE with a green card.

The last time I went, the person didn't use the US-Visit exit terminal.

No offense, but an apology wouldn't kill you. I appreciate you trying to help out, I really do. But that was a pointless argument that you clearly had no experience with.

[Niels Bohr 72]

There was no argument. I don't know where you think there was an argument.

Edited March 13, 2008 by consolemaster