Can we travel?

[gte 0]

My wifes 2 year conditional green card is up for renewal in May or June.

We would like to go visit her family for a short time, in Colombia in January or February, but one of her friends had told her that it was a bad idea to travel close to the time that your card needs renewal, or if it is in the renewal process. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks

[Mary and Enrique 8]

As long as you have applied for removal of conditions and have your extension letter, I wouldn't let it stop you from traveling. We have left the country several times (even since his physical card expired) with minimal problems. We just carry the extension document and present it when asked.

Especially traveling to Columbia, you should be ok. Our biggest problems are traveling to other countries (like Canada) that allow green card holders to waive their visa requirement but people aren't always trained on how to deal with that. We were visiting his family in Honduras last weekend and it was very easy. I mean, if all else is equal, I'd obviously prefer to travel without any complicated immigration situations, but if you don't want to wait, I wouldn't worry about it at all -- just make sure to bring your documentation!

[gte 0]

Hi,

Thank you for your response, I did not know there were "conditions" so we have not applied for any removal of them. She has a letter asking her to apply for an extension, is that what you mean? Her status is also valid until May or June of 2012.

As long as you have applied for removal of conditions and have your extension letter, I wouldn't let it stop you from traveling. We have left the country several times (even since his physical card expired) with minimal problems. We just carry the extension document and present it when asked.

Especially traveling to Columbia, you should be ok. Our biggest problems are traveling to other countries (like Canada) that allow green card holders to waive their visa requirement but people aren't always trained on how to deal with that. We were visiting his family in Honduras last weekend and it was very easy. I mean, if all else is equal, I'd obviously prefer to travel without any complicated immigration situations, but if you don't want to wait, I wouldn't worry about it at all -- just make sure to bring your documentation!

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi,

Thank you for your response, I did not know there were "conditions" so we have not applied for any removal of them. She has a letter asking her to apply for an extension, is that what you mean? Her status is also valid until May or June of 2012.

The conditional GC is a 2-yr GC issued to people who marry a USC and that marriage is less than 2 yrs old. To get the 10-yr GC you must file for ROC during the 90-day window before the 2-yr GC expires. The "condition" is that you are still married to the USC when you received the 2-yr GC. However, you can be divorced and still apply for ROC, but you must also file for a waiver.

Hope that helps explain it for you,

Dave

[ceadsearc 516]

You apply to remove conditions within 90 days of the GC expiration. So you may not even be eligible to apply yet when you travel. Don't let that stop you, no reason not to travel. The GC is valid.

[jkelly07 120]

some times your sent a reminder letter to remove conditions,you need to file 1-751 to remove conditions, 90 days before your green card expires,and not before that,or it will be sent back to you.when you send the 1-751 file with all your evidence of the marriage bona fide,you will get a noa-1 notice of receipt with a one year extension letter, you can traval with that letter internationaly.

[ryna 132]

My wifes 2 year conditional green card is up for renewal in May or June.

We would like to go visit her family for a short time, in Colombia in January or February, but one of her friends had told her that it was a bad idea to travel close to the time that your card needs renewal, or if it is in the renewal process. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks

You can travel without worry in January or February (we're going to Colombia then as well ).

If you file I-751 for Removal of Conditions (ROC) 90 days prior to the GC expiration date (in Feb or March, by your estimate), you should receive the NOA1 for ROC well before the Condition GC expires. This NOA will act as a temporary GC (which also allows travel) until the 10-year GC is approved and arrives.

[gte 0]

Thank you all for the responses, based on what you are saying, we can travel without issue and deal with the renewal when we return.

[meno-is-mine 37]

I'm still not getting a clear answer from all these posts. Once a person receives their conditional GC, they can travel right away? Do they have to be in the US for a certain amount of time prior to traveling? I have understood that they cannot remain outside the US for more than 6 months at a time, correct?

[ceadsearc 516]

They can travel as soon as they have their green card in hand or an I-551 stamp in their passport.

They must maintain US residency. Being out of the US over 6 months begins to look suspicious but is allowable. If the person is going to be gone for over a year but less than 2 they need a re-entry permit. For any extended absence they will need to prove they are not intending to abandon their US residency. The issue is not just time away but frequency and reason. For example, a six-month trip once for a family emergency isn't going to look as suspicious as someone who leaves for 2 months at a time but only returns to the US for a week in between all year long.

[meno-is-mine 37]

Oh ok, I see. I just want to be able to go back to Egypt on vacation over a summer or winter break once my husband arrives. I usually go there on vacation but I wanted to know when was the soonest break we'd be able to go back and visit his family. I don't want him to feel like he's going to be so isolated from them from now on, that we can visit on breaks.

[ceadsearc 516]

You shouldn't have any issue with that as soon as you have the green card. As long as you are living in the US and visiting abroad and not vice versa it should be fine.

[meno-is-mine 37]

Thanks!!! Happy New Year!!!