Permanent resident traveling back to home country

[CambUS 0]

I came to America as a refugee when I was a child and got my permanent resident card and I have been in America for a long time.

Now I would like to visit my home country for two months. I would like to know if I need a re-entry permit to travel for around two months? Also if anyone could tell me the process briefly and the time required for it, since I want to travel within a month.

Also if re-entry permit is not what I need, is there any other kind of document that I need? I am going to Cambodia btw.

[JohnR! 5,495]

For a two-month visit, your greencard is all the authorization you need to return to the US.

[CambUS 0]

Hi Gegel!

Thanks for the reply. One more question if you don't mind answering. Do I need a refugee travel document since I entered here as a refugee? Or is it for those who do not have a permanent residence?

Thanks again

[JohnR! 5,495]

You don't need anything else provided your greencard is valid. Since you have been here for many years, your 'refugee' status was changed to 'legal permanent resident' years ago.

[newacct 688]

Hi Gegel!

Thanks for the reply. One more question if you don't mind answering. Do I need a refugee travel document since I entered here as a refugee? Or is it for those who do not have a permanent residence?

Thanks again

A Refugee Travel Document is a travel document for travelling abroad, instead of a passport. It is not relevant to entering the U.S. (your green card is sufficient for that).

Do you have the nationality of this "home country"? If so, they would probably require you to enter on their passport anyway.

There may be some issues with some asylees/refugees returning to their home country, because they are supposed to be afraid of going back to their home country. So it could mean they lied. I don't know about the particulars or if this applies to all refugees.

[CambUS 0]

Hi newacct!

Thanks for the reply. I have had Permanent Resident status in the US since I was a small child and probably not considered a Cambodian National, so not sure if I can get a passport from Cambodia. I have never left America so this will be my first time returning. At the time the country was in turmoil, but now many years later that has ended and the country is much safer than before. This is why I feel safe enough to visit. Would I need some kind of travel document in this case to go travel to Cambodia and be able to return back to America?

[newacct 688]

Hi newacct!

Thanks for the reply. I have had Permanent Resident status in the US since I was a small child and probably not considered a Cambodian National, so not sure if I can get a passport from Cambodia. I have never left America so this will be my first time returning. At the time the country was in turmoil, but now many years later that has ended and the country is much safer than before. This is why I feel safe enough to visit. Would I need some kind of travel document in this case to go travel to Cambodia and be able to return back to America?

Interesting. Do you have nationality in any other country? Have you ever had a passport?

Yeah, I would say first figure out if you have Cambodian nationality and if you can get a passport. Chances are, you still have Cambodian nationality. Perhaps the Cambodian consulate can help. Using a Cambodian passport to visit Cambodia would probably not jeopardize your immigration status, because it's well known that Cambodia was in turmoil before and is now different.

You need a travel document to travel on an airline. If you cannot get a passport from any country, you can apply for either a U.S. Refugee Travel Document or a U.S. Re-entry Permit (since you are also a permanent resident). The refugee travel document is only valid for 1 year; the re-entry permit is valid for up to 2 years. The refugee travel document is cheaper than the re-entry permit. Both are applied for using Form I-131. You would also need to figure out whether Cambodia accepts the Refugee travel document or Re-entry permit, and if you need to get a Cambodian visa in that case.