Green Card/Visa/Layover

[Sang N Yen 0]

I'm pretty sure this topic has come up somewhere in this forum. I'm currently travelling to Vietnam but have long overs in Korea and Hong Kong. My question to you guys that has similar experience is if I am a Green Card holder (Permanent) do I need visa to explore Korea and Hong Kong during my layovers or do I have the same status as a US Passport holder. Because I know a US passport holder can enter/exit. Does this apply also for Green Card Holder? Let me know.

Thanks

[RobBell 32]

I can answer for Korea... As long as you are traveling directly from the U.S. or directly to the U.S. you do not have to have a visa for S. Korea. We just went to S. Korea in September. We flew from the U.S. to S. Korea and then on to Thailand. I believe the rule is 30 days, its considered a transit pass. You have to show proof of your next flight to qualify.

If your visit to Korea is somewhere in the middle then I'm not so sure.

At least that was the case for a China Passport holder, U.S. Greencard/permanent resident.

Edited December 30, 2014 by Rob & Lili

[Sang N Yen 0]

Thanks

[Vagabond1 7]

A countries visa requirements are one thing, your green-card is another. The green-card shows your status as it applies to being in the USA, just as a passport identifies only the country in which you are a citizen. A visa on the other hand allows a citizen of another country a temporary visit/stay in a foreign country. You are not yet a citizen of America if you hold a green-card. I suspect you should apply for your visa's with the passport from your mother country.

[Sang N Yen 0]

The person does not have a passport from his home country (Vietnam) and is a refugee.

[Boiler 45,525]

But wants to travel to Vietnam?

Something does not sound right.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Boiler

[aaron2020 11,651]

But wants to travel to Vietnam?

Something does not sound right.

Many Vietnamese escaped Vietnam before normalization of relations with the US in 1994. Those leaving before 1994 were accepted as refugees into the US. These people were granted green cards. Many have chosen not to become US citizens. These folks do not have Vietnamese passports. They travel internationally under a travel document similar to a US passport.

[Boiler 45,525]

So they were refugees, why not just get a passport?

[aaron2020 11,651]

So they were refugees, why not just get a passport?

Which passport should they get?

They do not qualify for US passports because they are not US citizens.

They are fiercely anti-communists who refused to be treated as Vietnamese citizens by accepting Vietnamese passports. No need to call the US Embassy if they are treated as Vietnamese.

They can travel internationally with the US travel document.

Because of the potential treatment as Vietnamese citizens, can you understand why these refugees would not want Vietnamese passports and citizenship? Do you understand why they would rather travel to Vietnam as green card holders under the protection of the US government?

Edited January 26, 2015 by aaron2020

[Boiler 45,525]

This is for travel to, wait for it, Vietnam.

So no.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Boiler

[Boiler 45,525]

This is for travel to, wait for it, Vietnam. Protection of the US?

If they had issues then surely travelling to Vietnam would the last place they would go.

So no.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Boiler

[aaron2020 11,651]

This is for travel to, wait for it, Vietnam. Protection of the US?

If they had issues then surely travelling to Vietnam would the last place they would go.

So no.

Sorry that you don't get it.

These people want to visit family. They don't want Vietnamese citizenships by accepting Vietnamese passports.

With Vietnamese passports, they are treated as Vietnamese citizens.

With green cards, US travel documents, and no Vietnamese citizenship, they are treated as non-Vietnamese entitled to help from the US Embassy.

It's a matter of not wanting Vietnamese citizenship and help from the US government.

[Boiler 45,525]

Laws must be very different in Vietnam regarding Citizenship to anywhere else I have ever heard of.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Here is little bit of personal info for you Boiler.

I'm a US citizen. I am entitled to Vietnamese citizenship and a Vietnamese passport. I have no desire for Vietnamese citizenship.

As a dual citizen, Vietnam would not need to notify the US Embassy if I get in trouble.

As only a US citizen, Vietnam would need to notify the US Embassy if I got in trouble.

This is why many Vietnamese Americans do not want Vietnamese citizenship.

You are perhaps fixated on why refugees can freely go home. Welcome to the real world where many people have moved pass their refugee status by becoming long time green card holders. As green card holders (no longer refugees), they are free to travel anywhere including the place they ran away from.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Laws must be very different in Vietnam regarding Citizenship to anywhere else I have ever heard of.

What are you talking about?

To get a US passport, a person has to have US citizenship.

To get a Vietnamese passport, a person has to have Vietnamese citizenship.

The laws are similar.

Edited January 26, 2015 by aaron2020