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- Green Card Travel Information
- Traveling with a Conditional Green Card
- Traveling with a Permanent Green Card
- Detailed Information about Reentry Permits
- Reentry Permit Application in the United States
- Reentry Permit Application from Abroad
- Preservation of Residency for Naturalization Purposes
- Canadian and Mexican Commuter Information
- Frequently Asked Questions about Traveling with a Green Card
- List of All USCIS Offices
- List of United States Embassies and Consulates
- Reentry Permit Application Forms
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Click on the button below to request your free immigration book.
Important: Our immigration books are available only to libraries and community organizations.
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General Green Card Information
Green Card holders have to follow immigration law and be properly registered with the
United States government. A Green Card or Permanent Resident Card discloses
information that provides an individual’s proof of lawful permanent resident
status in the United States. An individual with a Green Card has the right to
live and work permanently in the United States. Green Card holders are entitled
to leave the US for vacation or for work purposes, but there are limitations on
how long an immigrant can stay outside the United States without losing his or
her permanent resident status (Green Card). This is when a "Reentry Permit"
document must be obtained from the USCIS in many cases.
Green Card Information on Reentry Permits
United States citizens and foreign nationals on nonimmigrant visas don't need to obtain a "Reentry Permit". Only
Green Card holders may obtain a reentry permit when visiting foreign countries.
The reason one needs to apply for and obtain a reentry permit is to preserve an
alien's permanent resident status (Green Card). Green Card holders may risk
losing their Green Cards for leaving the United States for a long period of time
and without obtaining a reentry permit. Different requirements that all
permanent residents should be aware of when traveling abroad with a Green Card
exist. The Green Card Information Guide contains detailed information on how
long a Green Card holder can stay outside the United States without losing their
Green Card, and information on how to apply for a reentry permit in case of
extended time outside the country.
Important Notice for Green Card holders planning on applying for U.S. Citizenship
Before a Green Card holder can apply for U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process, he or she needs to fulfill a residency requirement.
The time spent abroad does not count towards this requirement. Green Card
holders staying abroad for lengthy periods may disrupt their residency, since
the time spent abroad does not count towards the residency requirement for
naturalization. However, it is possible to submit an "Application to Preserve
Residence for Naturalization Purposes". Detailed information and application
procedures can be found in the Green Card Information Guide.
If you are not a United States permanent resident yet, we recommend you first apply for a Green Card. There are several ways to apply for a Green Card,
including: Green Card through Marriage,
Green Card through Relatives,
Green Card
through Employment, Green Card through Investment and the
Green Card Lottery.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THIS U.S. IMMIGRATION BOOK Our publications are available free of charge to any community organization or library located in the United States. Please contact us for more information.
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