Travelling with expired green card

[Dale Gribble 0]

Hi,

 

I am going to be applying for citizenship at the beginning of November and my green card expires end of November. I am planning on travelling overseas for a couple of weeks in March. Would there be any problem coming back in to the country. As I understand it even though the green card itself expires after 10 years my permanent residency would not have. Basically, I do not want to have to spend $600+ for a new green card when I will have already applied for citizenship. Anyone have any experience of a similar situation?   Thanks. 

[geowrian 22,337]

On what basis would the airline board you without a visa or green card?

[Canerican 242]

16 minutes ago, Dale Gribble said:

Hi,

 

I am going to be applying for citizenship at the beginning of November and my green card expires end of November. I am planning on travelling overseas for a couple of weeks in March. Would there be any problem coming back in to the country. As I understand it even though the green card itself expires after 10 years my permanent residency would not have. Basically, I do not want to have to spend $600+ for a new green card when I will have already applied for citizenship. Anyone have any experience of a similar situation?   Thanks. 

 

10 minutes ago, geowrian said:

On what basis would the airline board you without a visa or green card?

Aside from @geowrian's question here is what I found on a website: https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/applying-citizenship-expired-green-card.html

 

"It's Safer to Renew Your Green Card First

Normally, you are expected to carry a valid green card with you at all times, as one of the responsibilities of being a permanent resident. Meanwhile, applying for citizenship or naturalization can be a months-long process. (The exact timeline depends on the office at which you apply.)

Spending all that time without a green card could make it difficult to gain employment (or prove your status to your current employer) and to reenter the United States if you travel abroad.

If you really don't want to renew your green card, then you're on safest ground if the date that you apply for citizenship is more than six months prior to the date your green card will expire."

[xyz12345 260]

6 hours ago, Dale Gribble said:

Hi,

 

I am going to be applying for citizenship at the beginning of November and my green card expires end of November. I am planning on travelling overseas for a couple of weeks in March. Would there be any problem coming back in to the country. As I understand it even though the green card itself expires after 10 years my permanent residency would not have. Basically, I do not want to have to spend $600+ for a new green card when I will have already applied for citizenship. Anyone have any experience of a similar situation?   Thanks. 

from the newest N-400 form under 'Special Instructions'

 

https://www.uscis.gov/n-400

 

 

Lost or Expiring Permanent Resident Card: If you lost your Permanent Resident Card or your card expired, you generally must still file Form I-90 even if you have applied for naturalization. However, if you properly file Form I-90 or you filed your Form N-400 at least six months before your Permanent Resident Card expired, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status.

[R78 16]

There are folks here who went to their biometrics and interview with an expired greencard without a problem (since the status does not expire)

If you do not want the application to get rejected, make sure you apply (of course, if eligible) before the GC expires. 

 

The issue here is that you want to travel outside the country. That's a NO NO unless you are in possession of a valid green card. 

 

You can try to call USCIS and take an infopass appointment to get an ADIT I-551 stamp on your passport before the GC expires. This stamp is valid for 1 year from date of issue. 

 

[Dale Gribble 0]

Thanks for the replies. looks like I am going to have to stump up the extra cash 😒

[R78 16]

Unfortunately, Yes. 

Even then, try to get an infopass appointment after filing I-90 so you can get the I-551 stamp on your passport since the renewal could take 5-9 months.

Never ever travel without a valid greencard or the I-551 stamp on your passport