Travelling overseas with extension letter

[Cassie 8]

American Airlines from any place I have departed from in the US have never asked to see my green card. It's not part of my ID that I show when getting checked in. The only time I show my GC is going through US Customs & Immigration checkpoints. Curious that some airlines care about seeing the GC.

From what I understand, the OP is referring to traveling overseas. Not only the Customs and Immigration folks will want to see your GC, but so will airline employees before you check in on a flight to the States.

Erm, so am I I have never been asked by airline employees to show my green card when flying back to the US, ever. I am not sure if it's because I go through a PFI immediately afterwards or what.

The time I went through the PFI, I produced both my GC and extension letter, and the officer was very happy to see I had my paperwork in order. The extension letter (NOA1) is very distinctive, in the same vein as any Notice of Actions. Not really easy to fake them.

Cassie, it probably depends on the country you're flying out of. I know that in the case of Germany airline staff prescreens for visas or greencards (of non-US citizens) before checking in on a US-bound flight. I think it has something to do with some law that the airline is responsible for return transportation in case the passenger is denied entry into the US.

Well, that makes sense! Thanks tweety!

[thea 1]

yeah, I think it's different in Canada since there you don't even get to your US bound plane without clearing US immigration/customs first and of course that means the airline is not at risk.

[Georgian 0]

yeah, I think it's different in Canada since there you don't even get to your US bound plane without clearing US immigration/customs first and of course that means the airline is not at risk.

I agree to thea.

[*JG* 2]

I recently flew to mexico after I received my 1 year extension letter. Before flying I made an infopass appt and got my passport stamped to verify that my green card had been extended. I thought this stamp could be used instead of the letter, I was wrong. On my return flight my wife (US citizen) and I were "detained" by immigration for about an hour until my 1 year extension could be verified. To make a long story short the immigration officer told me that the letter is what I should use when travelling overseas

Thanks for the info. It may come up in our future. Good to know.

[Cassie 8]

yeah, I think it's different in Canada since there you don't even get to your US bound plane without clearing US immigration/customs first and of course that means the airline is not at risk.

Yeah, that makes sense, but Halifax just opened its PFI last year and I didn't have to show my GC at the ticket counter before that point in time. Hence me being surprised at airlines asking for it in other cases.