Vacations outside of Canada / U.S.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Hi folks,

I've barely been around here for the last month and a half, largely due to having a busy job these days.

My wife and I are planning on taking a vacation at Christmastime to somewhere rather tropical. We were looking at the U.S. Virgin Islands, thanks to the lack of passport requirement, but the flights cost a bit more than we'd like...so we're looking elsewhere. Possibly even Europe (amazing that flights to Europe are often cheaper than flights to the Caribbean...). Anyhow, what exactly are the logistics of me flying to a destination outside of the U.S. and Canada? I have my U.S. Green Card, and my Canadian Passport...but I'm really not sure what the protocol is for departing and arriving from the U.S. without a U.S. Passport.

Any advice would be most appreciated!

[OBX 51]

Hi folks,

I've barely been around here for the last month and a half, largely due to having a busy job these days.

My wife and I are planning on taking a vacation at Christmastime to somewhere rather tropical. We were looking at the U.S. Virgin Islands, thanks to the lack of passport requirement, but the flights cost a bit more than we'd like...so we're looking elsewhere. Possibly even Europe (amazing that flights to Europe are often cheaper than flights to the Caribbean...). Anyhow, what exactly are the logistics of me flying to a destination outside of the U.S. and Canada? I have my U.S. Green Card, and my Canadian Passport...but I'm really not sure what the protocol is for departing and arriving from the U.S. without a U.S. Passport.

Any advice would be most appreciated!

Can't help you with Europe but travelling back and forth to Canada I just show my Canadian passport with my green card, no issue whatsoever re-entering the US. Can't imagine why it would be any different to Europe though.

Edited May 17, 2010 by OBX

[Marilyn. 340]

to leave and get back into the Us you would just use your Canadian passport..

I do think you would have to check with the country you are going to and see the requirements for a green card holder.. some countries might require US permanent residents to have a visa...

[SapphireDreams 71]

To travel to Europe, you would just need to show your Canadian passport and fulfill any travel visa requirements they may have as a Canadian citizen. Your wife would need to follow any travel visa requirements as an American.

To get back into the U.S., you just show your Greencard. It would be the same protocol as coming back from Canada. They'll probably glance at the passport, but they care more about the Greencard.

[Gypsyangel 11]

As others have said, you just use your Canadian passport and when you want to get back into the U.S. you have to show your green card and Cdn passport. When we were in Europe last summer, the airline (US Air) actually wanted to see the green card while we were checking in. They were quite strict about it. It was no problem at all though. Happy travels!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Lack of passport requirements? Not sure what you mean with that. You will need a passport for any international travel and the USVI as well. Warning: the USVI an BVI are a third world country where they speak Rasta English and drive on the wrong side of the road. The poverty outside the resorts is outright shocking. Hawaii is a much better place or, if you want to choose a Caribbean destination, go to St. Marten.