Can you get into the United States with an expired Visa?

[Rapunzel12 0]

Hi there...I'm wondering if anyone out there knows if it is possible to be allowed entry to the United States if your visa is expired but your passport is still valid? My boyfriend left to his home country...Germany...a month ago and is scheduled to return but his visa is expired and he has not started the renewal process. I'm afraid they won't let him back into the country. Does anyone have information on this?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

He cannot enter with an expired visa. What type of visa?

[aaydrian 479]

Would you purchase expired milk from a grocery store then give that milk to your baby? An expired documents is no longer valid so he will be denied entry. To renew a visa shouldn't take more than 8 weeks (between requesting appointment & getting new visa in hand).

[Rapunzel12 0]

I don't know what type of visa it is, but he moved to the U.S. when he was 11 years old with his mom and he is now 24. He served as a U.S. Marine for 4 years but never pursued citizenship. I think that he may not want to give up his German citizenship. He seems to think he will not have a problem getting.v back in, but I'm thinking that he will. I was also told that since his visa is expired he may have to wait before he can apply for a new one. I have no international travel experience at all and don't know what to expect. I really appreciate getting help here from those of you who know.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

**** Moving from Polls to General Immigration for now ****

You need to find out more info. For example, are you sure he has a visa and not a greencard? I didn't think one could servbe in the military unless one was a greencard holder or citizen.

[Adriene H 89]

In order to join the US Military, you must either be a US citizen,

or you must be a legal permanent immigrant, physically living in the

United States, with a green card.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlcitizen.htm

[Rapunzel12 0]

Thank you Adriene H....I don't know why he referred to a visa, as he must have a green card then. But I thought green cards didn't expire, and he is stuck in Germany at the moment.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thank you Adriene H....I don't know why he referred to a visa, as he must have a green card then. But I thought green cards didn't expire, and he is stuck in Germany at the moment.

Yes the cards expire but his status doesn't (unless he's out for too long).

If his card has expired he needs to file for a replacement card. It can take some time so maybe he should visit the embassy in Germany to get proof of his LPR status and get back to the states to file for a replacement.

Also re German-US Citizenship. He will need to file some special paperwork (called a BBG for short) to keep his german citizenship if he applies for US citizenship.. this must be filed for BEFORE he applies for USC.. just as an FYI

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The boyfriend was denied entry for expired documents. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/358633-denied-entry-due-to-expired-visawhat-now/

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The boyfriend was denied entry for expired documents. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/358633-denied-entry-due-to-expired-visawhat-now/

Yes. And she's since clarified in THIS thread that he served in the Marines which means he is most likely an LPR. Leading us to believe they're just using the wrong terminology and it's his GC that's expired.