Traveling while waiting for Citizenship (expired GC)

[globalcitizen22 0]

Hello!

 

I was finally able to apply for citizenship but my green card will expire soon.

 

My question is, if there is an emergency, and I need to leave the country to visit my family, how can I re-enter with an expired green card?

 

The only answer I found was to apply for a green card renewal, but not only that is another $500, but it says it can take up to 13.5 months.

 

Is there really no other way, for emergency situations?

 

 

Thank you!

[Daphne . 1,977]

Self delete

Edited October 10, 2022 by Daphne .

[Mike E 11,745]

51 minutes ago, globalcitizen22 said:

Hello!

 

I was finally able to apply for citizenship but my green card will expire soon.

1, When did you apply for citizenship?

 

2. When does your gc expire?

 

Quote

 

My question is, if there is an emergency, and I need to leave the country to visit my family, how can I re-enter with an expired green card?

If it is a 10 year gc then CBP permits airlines to board you on a flight to the USA.

 

Quote

 

The only answer I found was to apply for a green card renewal, but not only that is another $500, but it says it can take up to 13.5 months.

 

Is there really no other way, for emergency situations?

Whether you can avoid the $500 depends on the answers to questions 1 and 2 above.

Edited October 10, 2022 by Mike E

[globalcitizen22 0]

4 hours ago, Mike E said:

1, When did you apply for citizenship?

 

2. When does your gc expire?

 

If it is a 10 year gc then CBP permits airlines to board you on a flight to the USA.

 

Whether you can avoid the $500 depends on the answers to questions 1 and 2 above.

 

I have just applied, last week.

 

My GC expires at the end of November. It is a 10 year GC but I assume once it expires, this is it.

 

I was under the impression that there is something you can do in emergency situations, like get a reentry permit.

 

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by globalcitizen22
i should probably stick to the topic

[Mike E 11,745]

36 minutes ago, globalcitizen22 said:

 

I have just applied, last week.

 

My GC expires at the end of November. It is a 10 year GC but I assume once it expires, this is it.

Had  you filed N-400 6 or more months before your gc expired, you would be entitled to free I-551 stamps on your passport, which would let you travel with less hassle. 

Quote

 

I was under the impression that there is something you can do in emergency situations, like get a reentry permit.

 

 

You can apply for a re-entry permit. Normal processing is over  12 months.  You can try to expedite.  They aren’t free. 
 

Fastest path is to file I-90. You will get a 24 month extension letter in usually less than 2 weeks.  This increases the odds an airline will let you board a flight to the USA. It doesn’t guarantee it.  
 

Does your country of citizenship  grant you a visa waiver for Canada or Mexico?

Edited October 11, 2022 by Mike E