Traveling to Canada on a green card

[thelastpetitioner 218]

So as I'm sure most of you. Guys know, Iranian citizens can't travel anywhere but a limited number of countries, without the requirement of the visa, so I was wondering, how would this change if any at all when I get my green card? My mom is going to Canada this summer and I haven't seen her in almost year so I need to go. Any additional information?

[TimeTravel 78]

Yes, you can travel to Canada using your green card.

[Enigma11561 336]

I am not so sure about this. A GC allows you to leave and return to the US, but you have an Iranian passport and traveling on an Iranian passport. Will this passport allow you to enter Canada? I do not know if just a GC will allow you to do this. Maybe somebody else can confirm.

[hikergirl 277]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp#exemptions

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include:

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence

Yes, you can visit Canada.

[Boiler 45,982]

and Switzerland

[Enigma11561 336]

Then good news.

[jhm3 15]

and Switzerland

This is not true for Switzerland anymore -- since Switzerland joined its EU neighbors in the Schengen zone a couple of years ago, Green Card holders require a Schengen visa for Switzerland (if such a visa is required for citizens of the country of their nationality).

Visa requirements that would otherwise apply to Green Card holders are indeed waived for Canada and for Mexico, and apparently for a number of Central American and Caribbean countries, if Wikipedia is to be believed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residence_(United_States)#Visa_Free_Travel_for_Green_Card_Holders

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So as I'm sure most of you. Guys know, Iranian citizens can't travel anywhere but a limited number of countries, without the requirement of the visa, so I was wondering, how would this change if any at all when I get my green card? My mom is going to Canada this summer and I haven't seen her in almost year so I need to go. Any additional information?

Canada allows ANY US permanent resident to travel with just the green card for LAND travel. For air travel you will also need your passport and I understand they can actually ask for your passport at any time, so maybe carry it anyway.

Alla has been going to Canada a couple times a week for more than three years on JUST a green card (all land travel) and has never been asked for her passport. We live but a few minutes from the border so it is a frequent destination for us and Montreal is the closest city to our home (unless you count Burlington which is an "improved village" according to Alla)

the same goes for Mexico and Carribean Islands. For other countries you will still need a visa but as a US resident you will find it easy to get the visas. Good luck.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am not so sure about this. A GC allows you to leave and return to the US, but you have an Iranian passport and traveling on an Iranian passport. Will this passport allow you to enter Canada? I do not know if just a GC will allow you to do this. Maybe somebody else can confirm.

No problem. Traveling by land he probably will not need the passport. Alla never takes hers but if she got turned away it is only a few minutes to drive home. If I had to travel any distance to get to the border I would bring the passport to show them IF THEY ASK.