Re Entry Permit in Place of Transportation Letter

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Hi Hypnos, thanks for your post. I have too read that section and many like that and literally exhausted all the search results. Only 1 article I found though tailored it to my situation and said that a valid re entry permit suffices in lieu of a transportation letter. Nothing has said otherwise, and can the embassy be wrong 3 different times from 3 different people? I mean of course it's possible, but they have literally said the same thing, like exactly the same thing. I have grilled each of them on the differences between CBP and the US embassy and they have all said the same thing. I will let you know how it goes, flying in a month.

When I 1st respondedto this post, I wasn't able to write a policy rule check for you'll.

The same guidelines, rules and checks are used to issue both of the respected documents. So, if the embassy ran a background check for one of the documents what would they be saying different on the other document. To issue an re-issue permit, they had to check to see if you had a valid GC. So what addition information would the travel document state. If you didn't have the re-entry permit, and no GC, then yes you would need to obtain the travel document.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You DO NOT need a transport letter. What you DO need is an I-551 stamp in your passport to act as your greencard. This is a trip to the embassy to get your passport stamped, no cost to get it. Then you travel back to US with the stamp and re-entry permit.

A transportation letter would be needed if you had lost the re-entry permit, or AP document. In one previous posts case she left the original AP document in the US and tried using a copy to board the plane. Didn't work. She was going to need a tranportation letter to be able to board the plane. Luckily her spouse mailed her the original AP document and she did it that way instead.

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[VanessaTony 3,567]

If they can verify GC information on the computer in the absence of a card or travel letter, then why make people who have lost the GC get a travel letter in the first place?

They don't need a travel letter if they've lost the GC. The travel letter is if they've lost their re-entry permit, or AP document etc. The I-551 stamp is all that's needed in place of the GC.

[ollywarren1 1]

Thanks everyone. Big help. So I called the embassy today to book an appointment to obtain the transportation letter just in case and they would not give me an appointment. They asked me 2 questions, how long have I been out of the country and secondly do I have a re entry permit. As my answer was yes to the permit, they would not give me an appointment and the re entry permit was all I needed. That pretty much says it all then, I do not need a transportation letter. Thanks all, just a quick one Vanessa and tony, they have not mentioned the 4 times to the embassy anything about a stamp? Is this for sure? Thank you all do much

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Vanessa and tony, they have not mentioned the 4 times to the embassy anything about a stamp? Is this for sure?

The re-entry permit is usually used in conjunction with your GC. I'm surprised no-one mentioned the stamp but if you're so ardently pushing for answers about one particular thing then they might not think of it... or it's not available overseas. Maybe you don't need it.. but I would certainly ask about it! Tell them you would like an I-551 stamp because you lost your GC.

The issue is not getting back into the US, the issue is being able to board the plane. You said the airline said the re-entry permit is all you need... but if it's possible to get that stamp that's even better(you'll need to get one once in the US anyway while waiting for your replacement).

Once in the US you'd go to secondary I'm sure, but it's the boarding the plane part I'd be worried about. The stamp they'd recognise.. if you can get one overseas. Give it a whirl. If they say they don't issue them, then I wouldn't worry about it and see what happens. Oh, and start taking names/ID's... just in case

Edited October 29, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Again Vanessa, you are asking them to duplicate a process check.

[ollywarren1 1]

Jus spoke to the embassy. No stamp required. He said I will need to get a stamp whilst in te US. Reiterated all I needed to travel was a valid re entry permit and that is all!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Jus spoke to the embassy. No stamp required. He said I will need to get a stamp whilst in te US. Reiterated all I needed to travel was a valid re entry permit and that is all!!

Excellent news. Travel safe! Remember to get the stamp asap when you get back in the US for proof of your status

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

They don't need a travel letter if they've lost the GC. The travel letter is if they've lost their re-entry permit, or AP document etc. The I-551 stamp is all that's needed in place of the GC.

Embassies don't give out the stamp.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Embassies don't give out the stamp.

Yep I know. Just got told by the OP.

[ollywarren1 1]

Thanks vanessa and tony and thanks everyone! that has saved me a cool 160 dollars! This can no go to replacing my green and then renewing my green card straight away! If your ever in london, double bolt your doors, then this topic would never exist!

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Since I have stated this fact in post #8, 10, 16 and 21, I will just give a personal Thanks to myself.

[ollywarren1 1]

Lol thanks life journey!!!!

[Hypnos 6,576]

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, as they say.

[ollywarren1 1]

Hey all, thought I would update in case anyone had a similar problem in future!

I arrived at JFK on 12/1/2012, spoke to CBP, took finger prints, photo, scanned passport.. the usual stuff. Explained to him that my green card was stolen. I was then taken to secondary processing where I sat for about 10 minutes until the agent asked me once more, what happened. I explained to him it was stolen. He then stamped my passport and said have a nice day!! no problems at all and did no require any other docuements!

Was so relieved, but I understand not everyone's experiencing can be as smooth as mine, so if it happens in future, I would reccomend having a front and back copy of green card, crime report and either/or re entry permit or transportation letter. Noth Both!!!

Thanks all! Now I just got to figure out if i need to replace my stolen green card, even though I am in the removal conditions stage!! It makes it all the more complicated as I only have a front copy of my green card, and ROC requires a front and back copy. Ah the joy of being burgled. Can just imagine my perfectly good green card is just tossed somehwere, where its just a piece of plastic to anyone else!!