Travel to Canada and back to US - GC expiring in less than 6 months

[Lifeisgewd 0]

I am wanting to travel to Canada with the family for 2 days but my green card will expire in 6 months, so while I am crossing the border to Canada and travelling back to the US, my green card will be in the status of expiring in 5 months and 27 days. I checked the Customs Border Patrol website and the Canadian website and could not find anything about having problems returning to the US. It only says that If I ever fly to Canada then I’ll need to get an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) visa between now and Fall 2016, however we will be driving over the border, I don't think I will need this eTA visa. Can anyone please confirm if I am correct? Keep in mind that whenever one goes to another country, they want your US permanent green card be at least valid for 6 months. Are their exceptions to just driving over the Canadian border and back to the US with an almost expired green card.

Thank you.

[Lemonslice 4,953]

Canada will let you in as long as your green card is valid for the duration of your stay.

Call CBSA if needed: 506-636-5064

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Keep in mind that whenever one goes to another country, they want your US permanent green card be at least valid for 6 months.

Where do you get this info? When I looked into it, it just said you don't need a visa if you have a green card (Mexico, Canada, some Caribbean islands anyway). I don't remember anything about the GC expiry date being mentioned. Your passport on the other hand usually needs a minimum validity period.

Edited April 14, 2016 by SusieQQQ

[Lifeisgewd 0]

Someone told me I will need to have a Green card that is not expiring in 6 months for travel since when you do get a visa anywhere, it is usually issued for 6 months at a time, hence the GC needs to be valid for 6 months.

[Lemonslice 4,953]

Someone told me I will need to have a Green card that is not expiring in 6 months for travel since when you do get a visa anywhere, it is usually issued for 6 months at a time, hence the GC needs to be valid for 6 months.

"Someone" was making generalization.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Myth, much like people saying a passport must be valid for 6 months to enter the USA.

[Lifeisgewd 0]

I called the number you gave and Canada border folks said I can enter Canada no problem with my unexpired Green Card. They gave me the number for US Border patrol (518) 298-8311 and they said as long as I have a valid Permanent Resident card and can re-enter the US.

[Lemonslice 4,953]

I called the number you gave and Canada border folks said I can enter Canada no problem with my unexpired Green Card. They gave me the number for US Border patrol (518) 298-8311 and they said as long as I have a valid Permanent Resident card and can re-enter the US.

Yup, that's what I said!