Traveling with expired GC.. do I need stamp in passport?

[xjennyinstereox 0]

Hi all,

I'm traveling to Ireland in May but my conditional GC expires April 27th. Will I need to get a stamp in my passport in order to travel with the expired GC? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[xjennyinstereox 0]

For some reason I can't edit my original post. Anyways, I understand that my current conditional green card will be extended for a year, but what documentation do I have to prove that? The NOA? Biometrics appointment letter? What exactly will I be able to show as proof?

[john_and_marlene 162]

If you have the NOA, it should say that your GC is extended for 1 year. If you have that, you are fine to travel and reenter. If you do not have an NOA extending your GC, you'll need to make an INFOPASS appointment and get the I-551 stamp.

[helpneeded 0]

I called the USCIS today with the same question and I was informed that you MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT to travel out of the country (and return). They said the extension letter alone is NOT enough- there was a rule that was passed recently. Just go and get the passport updated and bring all the paperwork with you (Greencard with extention letter).

YOUR VERY BEST BET is to print out the exact documentation from USCIS and put that in a little packet with the supporting documentation so that when you are questioned at the boarder upon attempting to re-enter the US you can point to their own documentation. Do not risk it at this point- you have come too far. We just canceled our cruise to the Bahamas to err on the side of caution. We have the extension letter but not the updated passport....looks like Vegas!

Good luck- good news...you are in the home stretch and this will all be over soon!

[john_and_marlene 162]

I called the USCIS today with the same question and I was informed that you MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT to travel out of the country (and return). They said the extension letter alone is NOT enough- there was a rule that was passed recently. Just go and get the passport updated and bring all the paperwork with you (Greencard with extention letter).

YOUR VERY BEST BET is to print out the exact documentation from USCIS and put that in a little packet with the supporting documentation so that when you are questioned at the boarder upon attempting to re-enter the US you can point to their own documentation. Do not risk it at this point- you have come too far. We just canceled our cruise to the Bahamas to err on the side of caution. We have the extension letter but not the updated passport....looks like Vegas!

Good luck- good news...you are in the home stretch and this will all be over soon!

The OP never suggested that didn't have a valid passport. They were concerned with the expired GC which is extended and will permit reentry with the extension letter. If your passport is not expired there is no issue.

Too bad you cancelled your cruise due to a misinterpretation

[xjennyinstereox 0]

The OP never suggested that didn't have a valid passport. They were concerned with the expired GC which is extended and will permit reentry with the extension letter. If your passport is not expired there is no issue.

Too bad you cancelled your cruise due to a misinterpretation

Yup, my Canadian passport is most definitely valid until 2011. Also, I do have the letter explaining that my GC is extended for 1 year. I thought maybe some other form of documentation for the extension would come at a later date. Thanks for all the help. I guess I'm all set then!

Edited March 4, 2009 by xjennyinstereox

[angelnoah 0]

I called the USCIS today with the same question and I was informed that you MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT to travel out of the country (and return). They said the extension letter alone is NOT enough- there was a rule that was passed recently. Just go and get the passport updated and bring all the paperwork with you (Greencard with extention letter).

YOUR VERY BEST BET is to print out the exact documentation from USCIS and put that in a little packet with the supporting documentation so that when you are questioned at the boarder upon attempting to re-enter the US you can point to their own documentation. Do not risk it at this point- you have come too far. We just canceled our cruise to the Bahamas to err on the side of caution. We have the extension letter but not the updated passport....looks like Vegas!

Good luck- good news...you are in the home stretch and this will all be over soon!

I did an infopass a week ago (Baltimore) regarding inquiry on my expired GC since I will be travelling out of the country this April. I have my extension letter with me. The immigration officer told me that I DON'T need a stamp on my passport because the extension letter is enough.

[xjennyinstereox 0]

I did an infopass a week ago (Baltimore) regarding inquiry on my expired GC since I will be travelling out of the country this April. I have my extension letter with me. The immigration officer told me that I DON'T need a stamp on my passport because the extension letter is enough.

Awesome! I'm in Baltimore too I will bring my extension letter, GC, passport, marriage cert, etc. to be safe!

[angelnoah 0]

I did an infopass a week ago (Baltimore) regarding inquiry on my expired GC since I will be travelling out of the country this April. I have my extension letter with me. The immigration officer told me that I DON'T need a stamp on my passport because the extension letter is enough.

Awesome! I'm in Baltimore too I will bring my extension letter, GC, passport, marriage cert, etc. to be safe!

Oh, that's cool! Please share your experience on what they will tell you. They just asked my extension letter, but have those anyway!