Travelling while i-751 is pending with an expired GC and Extension letter

[NY Immigrant 10]

I am planning to travel to my home country next week. My GC is expired and I have a 48 months extension letter. I called to get an infopass stamp but they said I dont need it because of the extension letter. I am just thinking about the worst case scenario. What happens if one loses their documents? What are the options to come back? 

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

One option would be to get a boarding foil from local consulate office.  Carry a copy of Green Card and Extension letter in a separate place from originals.

[powerpuff 6,744]

~~ Topic moved from Removal of Conditions on Residency forum to Working & Traveling during US immigration as the question is about Traveling rather than the I-751 process ~~

[NY Immigrant 10]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

One option would be to get a boarding foil from local consulate office.  Carry a copy of Green Card and Extension letter in a separate place from originals.

What's a boarding foil? Do they accept copies?

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

8 minutes ago, NY Immigrant said:

What's a boarding foil? Do they accept copies?

I am not an expert in that area.  My understanding is that the embassy can issue you a boarding foil if you need travel back to the US under some circumstances.  The copies of GC and extension would serve as evidence to the embassy of your status if needed.  

Edited July 23, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[NY Immigrant 10]

Just now, Crazy Cat said:

I am not an expert in that area.  My understanding is that the embassy can issue you a boarding foil if you need travel back to the US under some circumstances.  The copies of GC and extension would serve as evidence to the embassy of your status if needed.  Just my courteous opinion. 

Hm. I researched. Seems like Boarding Foil can help come back to the US in case something happens

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

1 minute ago, NY Immigrant said:

Hm. I researched. Seems like Boarding Foil can help come back to the US in case something happens

Yes.  That is my understanding. 

[NY Immigrant 10]

Just now, Crazy Cat said:

Yes.  That is my understanding. 

I'll ask my attorney tomorrow but because the flights are getting expensive, I need to book today. Haven't been to my home country ever since I got here.

[Mike E 11,741]

24 minutes ago, NY Immigrant said:

What happens if one loses their documents? What are the options to come back? 

Depends.

 

1. To what country are you traveling?

 

2. What is your country of citizenship?

 

BTW, a boarding foil is the result of filing I-131a .

Edited July 23, 2023 by Mike E

[NY Immigrant 10]

Just now, Mike E said:

Depends.

 

1. To what country are you traveling?

 

2. What is your country of citizenship?

Pakistan

Just now, NY Immigrant said:

Pakistan

But transit would be Turkey for one day

[Mike E 11,741]

7 minutes ago, NY Immigrant said:

Pakistan

You have one of the weakest passports, and you are going to a country whose national immigration department is notorious for making it difficult for LPRs to leave Pakistan.

 

So a boarding foil is the only answer I see, short of you piloting a private boat to American shores.

 

7 minutes ago, NY Immigrant said:

But transit would be Turkey for one day

And no doubt flying Turkish Airlines, which is notorious for denying boarding to LPRs with extension letters. 

 

7 minutes ago, Mike E said:

BTW, a boarding foil is the result of filing I-131a .

* Stay under 180 days outside the U.S.

 

* give yourself plenty of time to get a boarding foil in the event Pakistan’s immigration department or TK airlines refuses to let you board.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Mike E

[NY Immigrant 10]

7 minutes ago, Mike E said:

You have one of the weakest passports, and you are going to a country whose national immigration department is notorious for making it difficult for LPRs to leave Pakistan.

 

So, a boarding foil is the only answer I see, short of you piloting a private boat to American shores.

 

And no doubt flying Turkish Airlines, which is notorious for denying boarding to LPRs with extension letters. I
* Stay under 180 days outside the U.S.

 

* Give yourself plenty of time to get a boarding foil in the event Pakistan’s immigration department or TK airlines refuses to let you board.

 

So, I shouldn't go? I haven't booked the flight yet. Maybe I should book with Emirates?

[Mike E 11,741]

2 minutes ago, NY Immigrant said:

 

So, I shouldn't go? I haven't booked the flight yet. Maybe I should book with Emirates?

Emirates or Qatar Airways over TK. 
 

You can go for a “short trip”

 

If you are gone for months ….

 

I would book a round trip between U.S. and Doha, and a round trip between Doha and Pakistan.

 

* Doha because your passport lets you visit Qatar.

 

* Two round trips because you do not want Pakistan’s immigration department to figure out you are an LPR.

 

Worst case a boarding foil. These seem to take a week now.

 

[NY Immigrant 10]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

Emirates or Qatar Airways over TK. 
 

You can go for a “short trip”

 

If you are gone for months ….

 

I would book a round trip between U.S. and Doha, and a round trip between Doha and Pakistan.

 

* Doha because your passport lets you visit Qatar.

 

* Two round trips because you do not want Pakistan’s immigration department to figure out you are an LPR.

 

Worst case a boarding foil. These seem to take a week now.

 

No, I am only going for two weeks. 

 

So, if I book a flight with Qatar airways, it's usually from the US to Doha and from Doha to Pakistan. Would that be okay?

 

[Mike E 11,741]

1 minute ago, NY Immigrant said:

No, I am only going for two weeks. 

 

So, if I book a flight with Qatar airways, it's usually from the US to Doha and from Doha to Pakistan. Would that be okay?

 

Since it only 2 weeks, I think it is safe to book a single round trip ticket between the U.S. and Pakistan, on Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates.

I like Etihad for this because of CBP pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi. You will get processed by CBP in Abu Dhabi, and if there is any confusion about your extension letter, Etihad in Pakistan might have experience getting a hold of CBP in Abu Dhabi to answer questions.