Traveling internationally with a Green Card...

[Mogambi 96]

Here's something I've been wondering, maybe people here have some experience.

My fiance will arrive in the US in August. Once we are married, and she has completed the AOS, and has her Green Card, I'm curious how, if at all, it affects her ability to travel internationally.

What I mean is, let's say we can to go to Japan. For a Filipino, it's a rather complex visa for her to get. If she's holding a LPR status in the US, does that change anything for her? I assume she's not entitled to the same benefit as a US Citizen (just show up, granted 30 or 90 day visas in most countries) but is there any benefit to her being an LPR of the USA? Does it simplify her getting visas to go travel?

I'd love to take her around the world traveling, Europe, Scandanavia, but am just wondering if getting her travel visas will be easier with her having her Green Card here...

Curious anyone's thoughts.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Here's something I've been wondering, maybe people here have some experience.

My fiance will arrive in the US in August. Once we are married, and she has completed the AOS, and has her Green Card, I'm curious how, if at all, it affects her ability to travel internationally.

What I mean is, let's say we can to go to Japan. For a Filipino, it's a rather complex visa for her to get. If she's holding a LPR status in the US, does that change anything for her? I assume she's not entitled to the same benefit as a US Citizen (just show up, granted 30 or 90 day visas in most countries) but is there any benefit to her being an LPR of the USA? Does it simplify her getting visas to go travel?

I'd love to take her around the world traveling, Europe, Scandanavia, but am just wondering if getting her travel visas will be easier with her having her Green Card here...

Curious anyone's thoughts.

She travels internationally on her passport and must follow all the requirements the country of intended vist places on her as a PI citizen. When she applies for a visa to the country she intends to visit, she MAY have an easier time of getting the tourist visa as a US LPR verses just a PI citizen. Another point is that her tickets must match her government issued ID used for international travel--so her tickets must match the name on the PI passport. The only thing the GC does is show she is a LPR of the US and can gain entry to the US without a visa.

The only way she will have it easy to tavel is to become a USC and then the two of you will have the same visa requirements throughout the world.

Dave

[dale_trisha 3]

The GC can help but each country has to be checked. She is still a Philippines Citizen but a US Resident. Best place to check is with each country's embassy/consulate in the US.

[Iyawo Ijebu 157]

I missed my flight out of Lagos once. I was denied boarding on the next plane out to Amsterdam because it would require me to have a transition visa. I was told by the airlines that if I had a US passport instead of a GC that it would have been no problem.

So yes a GC is not a passport. Why anyone would have a GC from the US and try to sneak into Amsterdam to live is beyond me.

I started my AOS as soon as I arrived back in the states and one of the reasons that I encourage AOS at each and every opportunity.

YMMV.

[Mogambi 96]

Thanks, yeah, I suspected as much. I didn't really think the requirements would be different, mostly I mean as a GC holder, it would seem like they would suspect her much less if we try to get her a travel visa to say, France or Japan. Since she will be an LPR of the US, I would just hope that maybe the burden of proof would be slightly less for her. I guess we'll find out!

And yes, getting her to be a USC is the key. The poor Filipino, has about the worst passport for international travel except maybe some countries in Africa...

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[Hank_ 9,174]

There are countries more difficult for travel than with the Philippines passport

[darkchilde794 5]

Here's something I've been wondering, maybe people here have some experience.

My fiance will arrive in the US in August. Once we are married, and she has completed the AOS, and has her Green Card, I'm curious how, if at all, it affects her ability to travel internationally.

What I mean is, let's say we can to go to Japan. For a Filipino, it's a rather complex visa for her to get. If she's holding a LPR status in the US, does that change anything for her? I assume she's not entitled to the same benefit as a US Citizen (just show up, granted 30 or 90 day visas in most countries) but is there any benefit to her being an LPR of the USA? Does it simplify her getting visas to go travel?

I'd love to take her around the world traveling, Europe, Scandanavia, but am just wondering if getting her travel visas will be easier with her having her Green Card here...

Curious anyone's thoughts.

My husband and I traveled to SEA last year. I had no problems entering HK, SG and PHI and going back to the US with my Philippine passport/green card combo. While Filipino citizens require a visa to enter Canada, I've never had problems driving to Toronto using my green card (only) for admission (we've driven twice and plan to go again this week). We are thinking of going to Europe for our holiday next year and so I've begun researching the visa requirements for non-US/Canadian citizens. Even with a green card, I still need a Schengen visa to visit the countries we want to see in Europe. So in the end, it really depends on the country you are visiting -- good luck!

[Mogambi 96]

Yeah, I know many countries in SEA are easy enough. While visiting the Philippines, on one trip we went to Hong Kong, and on the second trip, we wen to Singapore. It's mostly Japan and the European countries that seem the hardest.

I'm a bit shocked that they allowed you to enter Canada on only your Green Card. Canadian customs and border crossings can be tough. That's interesting. I'd like to take her to Vancouver too, where I used to live once upon a time, but assumed we would need a visa.

Tim

[MI.PI 7]

Yeah, I know many countries in SEA are easy enough. While visiting the Philippines, on one trip we went to Hong Kong, and on the second trip, we wen to Singapore. It's mostly Japan and the European countries that seem the hardest.

I'm a bit shocked that they allowed you to enter Canada on only your Green Card. Canadian customs and border crossings can be tough. That's interesting. I'd like to take her to Vancouver too, where I used to live once upon a time, but assumed we would need a visa.

Tim

She doesn't need a visa to go to Canada once she has her green card. Been to Canada several times with just my passport and green card and I never encountered any problem. In fact, I've been to Canada recently with an expired green card (Im in the ROC process right now), I just showed them my extension letter (along with my passport and expired green card) and I was able to go in and out of Canada without a problem. The border patrol are well aware of all these immigration processes so you wouldn't have any problem visiting Canada as long as she has all the required document (i.e. passport and green card).

A green card holder applying for a Schengen visa to travel to Europe is no different to someone who is not a green card holder. The requirements are the same (except that she would have to submit also a copy of the green card along with the other requirements). And based on personal experience, it was actually easier for me to obtain a Schengen visa than a US tourist visa. I was denied of a US tourist visa on my first try so I tried applying for a Schengen visa to visit some European countries before trying my luck again for a US tourist visa. I was able to obtain a US tourist visa after I did some traveling in Europe. These all happened prior to my getting a green card. After I got my green card, I re-applied for a Schengen visa to travel again to Europe, and I went through the same process and submitted the same requirements as my previous visa application.

Edited June 1, 2012 by MI.PI

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yeah, I know many countries in SEA are easy enough. While visiting the Philippines, on one trip we went to Hong Kong, and on the second trip, we wen to Singapore. It's mostly Japan and the European countries that seem the hardest.

I'm a bit shocked that they allowed you to enter Canada on only your Green Card. Canadian customs and border crossings can be tough. That's interesting. I'd like to take her to Vancouver too, where I used to live once upon a time, but assumed we would need a visa.

Tim

Its easier into Canada then back into the States... , they are less restrictive when driving in comparison to flying.

Once my fiancee has her AP we are hoping to motorcycle up to Toronto. My concern was not getting into Canada but later her getting back to the States.

[darkchilde794 5]

Its easier into Canada then back into the States... , they are less restrictive when driving in comparison to flying.

Once my fiancee has her AP we are hoping to motorcycle up to Toronto. My concern was not getting into Canada but later her getting back to the States.

It will not be a problem at all. Hubby and I went to Toronto to be with my family for Christmas twice... first time, I had my old passport (with my maiden name) - they asked to see our marriage certificate to verify we were indeed married. The second time, with a passport in my married name. No issues at all coming back - the patrol officer was more interested to see if we brought alcohol back (AS IF!!! $ of alcohol in Toronto >>>>>>>>>>>>>> $ of beer in Baltimore). This Wednesday, we will be driving up there again and this time I am under "ROC". Just got back from a cruise last Thursday and had no problems traveling with my extension letter so I foresee no problems traveling while under "ROC" too.

Mogambi -- I use this service to check visa requirements when visiting other countries: http://www.visahq.com/ It tells you if you are able to enter a country with a certain passport and a green card, etc. Sometimes having a green card makes a difference, sometimes it does not. I would not have been allowed in Bermuda without a visa, but because I have a green card I got in just fine. I distinctly remember that having a green card helped in our HK trip too: when I showed my green card, I was not asked for a departure date (from HK). The other Filipino tourists had to show their departure flights as Filipinos are only allowed a few weeks in the country.

[Hank_ 9,174]

It will not be a problem at all. Hubby and I went to Toronto to be with my family for Christmas twice... first time, I had my old passport (with my maiden name) - they asked to see our marriage certificate to verify we were indeed married. The second time, with a passport in my married name. No issues at all coming back - the patrol officer was more interested to see if we brought alcohol back (AS IF!!! $ of alcohol in Toronto >>>>>>>>>>>>>> $ of beer in Baltimore). This Wednesday, we will be driving up there again and this time I am under "ROC". Just got back from a cruise last Thursday and had no problems traveling with my extension letter so I foresee no problems traveling while under "ROC" too.

Mogambi -- I use this service to check visa requirements when visiting other countries: http://www.visahq.com/ It tells you if you are able to enter a country with a certain passport and a green card, etc. Sometimes having a green card makes a difference, sometimes it does not. I would not have been allowed in Bermuda without a visa, but because I have a green card I got in just fine. I distinctly remember that having a green card helped in our HK trip too: when I showed my green card, I was not asked for a departure date (from HK). The other Filipino tourists had to show their departure flights as Filipinos are only allowed a few weeks in the country.

Is your old passport from the Philippines or Canada, you have Canada listed as your country? Canadians have NO issues traveling back and forth, my buddy in Canada drives down all the time for shopping or vacation. Don't know that I would ever consider traveling to Canada with Amy getting her AP first, want to be sure there is no issues returning to the States.

[darkchilde794 5]

Is your old passport from the Philippines or Canada, you have Canada listed as your country? Canadians have NO issues traveling back and forth, my buddy in Canada drives down all the time for shopping or vacation. Don't know that I would ever consider traveling to Canada with Amy getting her AP first, want to be sure there is no issues returning to the States.

My passport is Philippines. My entire family is in Canada now, but I opted to move to the US because of a silly thing like love LOL! It becomes a bit of a challenge traveling, but so far everything's been smooth sailing.

Hank: Amy definitely needs a green card to go to Canada. I don't think AP would let her enter Canada. It's designed for her to re-enter the US again. Once she has her GC, she can go in and out of Canada easily

Edited June 2, 2012 by darkchilde794

[rheanick 42]

Is your old passport from the Philippines or Canada, you have Canada listed as your country? Canadians have NO issues traveling back and forth, my buddy in Canada drives down all the time for shopping or vacation. Don't know that I would ever consider traveling to Canada with Amy getting her AP first, want to be sure there is no issues returning to the States.

Better wait for Amy to get her GC before visiting Canada. Once she has her GC, she could come and go even without visa.

With an AP, she has to apply to enter canada like other filipino citizen.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Ah that sucks. My good friend (who is very responsible for Amy & I meeting) is battling cancer... guess the race is on to get the GC. Well I will figure a way for all to meet...