Travelling during ROC

[Starburst 4]

Hey everyone,

Tomorrow my ROC package will be mailed (we were able to mail it on June 24th/11).

My questions is, from August 27th to September 11th I will be out of the country in Europe. A friend is getting married and I'm heading over there with a friend from Canada to celebrate and do some travelling.

My husband will be remaining home however.

Could this be a bad idea, with my ROC in progress? I most likely will have my bio in July, and my local office allows

walk ins so I should have that done quickly. I didn't worry about an RFE's because my husband is home and can deal with.

Should I worry at all?

Last time (about two weeks ago) when I came through customs the officer warned me not to travel close to my green card expiration date (why, I don't know).

Thanks everyone!

/starburst

[Bill and Vicky 25]

Last time (about two weeks ago) when I came through customs the officer warned me not to travel close to my green card expiration date (why, I don't know).

The airlines cooperate with USCIS with respect to the "six-month rule". A passport (and, I'm guessing, your GC) have to be valid for at least six months from the date you plan to enter a foreign country. Delta Air Lines has the following on their Web site:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

If you are traveling anywhere overseas, even to Canada, the Caribbean or Mexico, you now need a passport to board an international flight and to enter any country. In general your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you enter a foreign country.

The concern is that you'll be overseas and your passport and/or visa will expire, and it's an extra hassle to get back because you have to go through the local embassy or consulate. Though you *plan* to be back on September 11th, you don't know for sure. A volcano in Iceland, a flu-outbreak panic, or a 9/11-style attack could cause you to be delayed into October. If your GC expires while you're out of the country, you'll have to get a new one before you return.

It sounds like you already planned your trip, so as long as no one at the airline says "no" you're okay. (You might want to call the airline reservation center and ask, but the truth is that it'll be the decision of the person at the ticket counter when you check in.)

As for the ROC, I can't see it making a difference. Be sure and keep your travel documents just in case someone wants to ask you about it.

Care,

Bill

[Starburst 4]

Does the NOA1 for the ROC not serve as an extension for a year?

I figured that I would just bring that long with my GC. I just renewed my passport so no worries about that expiring.

Thank you!

[Mimino 2]

hmm, my gc expires in october of this year. i'm planning on visiting home in august and submitting the papers around early august or september. can anyone verify this 6-months rule for sure? i do have my home country's passport to use as well.

[Krikit 1,165]

hmm, my gc expires in october of this year. i'm planning on visiting home in august and submitting the papers around early august or september. can anyone verify this 6-months rule for sure? i do have my home country's passport to use as well.

The six month rule doesn't apply in your case. The NOA serves as the extension.

Starburst, I did a lot of travelling during the time I was waiting for the ROC. If anything comes up while you're away (which I highly doubt) you can deal with it at that time. Have a great trip!

[Mimino 2]

what if i don't get the noa before the travel date?

[Krikit 1,165]

If you're back before the expiry date on your GC it's a non-issue.

[estrella 14]

I was wondering about it too, I'm going to Kuwait for two weeks in a school sponsored trip so my husband isn't coming. I already have the noa tho.

what if i don't get the noa before the travel date?

They are fairly fast in sending it to you.

[Starburst 4]

All I needed to hear - thanks everyone!

[Mimino 2]

sweet, many thanks!