How to return to the USA if you are abroad and have lost your green card - ForumDaily
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How to return to the US if you are abroad and have lost your green card

A lost green card abroad can be a headache when traveling. You must have valid proof of your permanent resident status in order to board an airline or other transportation carrier. But if you have lost your green card or re-entry permit outside the United States, there is a procedure for obtaining temporary travel documents. Read more about this publication Citizen path.

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US laws require that transport carriers, such as airlines, screen passengers for passports and visas before taking them to the United States. These laws provide for penalties if passengers do not have the necessary documents.

As a permanent resident temporarily traveling abroad, you can use your permanent resident card (green card) or permission to re-enter the United States. You can use any of these documents to board your vehicle and return to your US port of entry. But you are more likely to run into problems if you try to return to the US after your travel document is lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged.

Lost Green Card Form Abroad

Permanent residents who lose their green card or re-entry permit while traveling overseas must file Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes the form, but you will need to submit it to the US Embassy. The form allows permanent residents to apply for a temporary travel document if they:

  • are returning from a temporary overseas trip lasting less than one year and their green card is lost, stolen or destroyed;
  • are returning from a temporary overseas trip of less than two years and their re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Do not file Form I-131A if:

  • you received a green card and have been abroad for a year or more;
  • you have obtained a re-entry permit and have been abroad for two or more years.

The duration of absence will be measured from the time you leave the United States until the time you pay the I-131A fee. In such situations, you can opt out of permanent resident status. A Returning Resident Visa (SB-1) may be an appropriate solution in such situations. Please consult an immigration attorney if this applies to you.

On the subject: An expired green card can ruin your vacation: what you need to know before traveling

Expired green card abroad

If you have an expired green card, you do not need to file Form I-131A. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policy allows a permanent resident to board if the passenger has:

  • an expired green card with a validity period of 10 years;
  • an expired 2-year green card and a Form I-797C notice of action showing they filed a Form I-751 or Form I-829 to waive the conditions for permanent resident status. A notice of action extends the validity of the card for a specified period of time (usually 24 months).

If you have an expired green card (with a 10-year validity) or a green card (with a 2-year validity) and a valid Form I-797C stating that the status has been renewed, you can use these documents to return to the United States In most cases.

Fee for filing Form I-131A

Before you apply, you must pay the Form I-131A filing fee on the USCIS website. Pay for the filing through the USCIS online filing system. You can access the USCIS online filing system by clicking here. www.uscis.gov/i-131a.

You can pay your fees with a credit card, debit card, or US bank account through Automated Clearing House (ACH).

Proof of payment will be required upon application. After payment, you will be presented with a confirmation page. Print this page immediately; you will not be able to return to the confirmation page. You should also receive a payment confirmation email. Print either a confirmation page or a confirmation email.

Filing Form I-131A

Unlike most other USCIS forms, you must file Form I-131A at a US embassy or consulate. There is no reason to file Form I-131A, and it cannot be filed from the United States. First, we recommend that you contact the office to see if an appointment is needed. Find the nearest US embassy or consulate.

Required Evidence for Form I-131A

When you go to the US embassy or consulate, you will need to submit some required evidence along with your application. A complete Form I-131A application package must include the following items:

  • Form I-131A with original signature;
  • your original passport and one copy of the biographical page of your passport. (USCIS may be required to keep the original passport for a few days, but they will return it when completed);
  • a copy of your tickets, itinerary, or any other evidence showing the date of your last departure from the United States and the date you expect to return to the United States. Examples of acceptable evidence include e-tickets and boarding passes;
  • one color photograph of a passport sample (2×2) taken within 30 days after the submission of the application;
  • proof that you paid the fee for filing Form I-131A. Examples of acceptable documents include: a printed payment confirmation page from the USCIS website or a printed copy of the Form I-131A payment confirmation email.
  • proof of your lawful permanent residence or conditional residence (if any). Examples of acceptable documents include: a copy of your green card, immigrant visa, I-551 stamp;

The embassy or consulate usually issues documents within two weeks. If your travel needs are more urgent, please come to your appointment at the embassy with proof in hand. Examples of evidence might be a doctor's note that your relative is ill in the United States, or a letter from an employer stating that you must attend a business event. USCIS will review these situations on a case-by-case basis and may expedite your case at its discretion.

Re-entry to the United States

A travel document provided through an approved Form I-131A will only allow you to prove to the shipping carrier that you are entitled to travel to a port of entry into the United States. Please note that this is not a guarantee of admission to the United States. A CBP officer will make all necessary checks when you arrive at your US port of entry and make the final decision on whether you are allowed into the United States.

Replacing a Lost Green Card Abroad

Filing Form I-131A does not get you a new green card. Upon returning to the United States, you must replace your green card by completing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and pay an application fee. Similarly, if your green card has expired, you will need to file the same application to renew your green card.

Change of re-entry permit

There is no need to renew your re-entry permit unless you plan to leave the United States for another trip for one year (but less than two years). To replace a lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged re-entry permit, complete Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and pay the application fee.

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Other situations

If you have a child who was born outside the United States and is coming to the US for the first time, you will need to request a travel document if the following three conditions are met:

  • you are a permanent resident or have an immigrant visa;
  • your child is less than 2 years old;
  • your child is traveling with you to come to the United States for the first time.

First contact your airline or transport carrier to make sure they will allow your child to board in these circumstances without a document. If the airline or transport carrier refuses to take your child on board, you will need to pay for and file a separate Form I-131A for your child.

Do not file Form I-131A if you have ever renounced permanent resident status, have been arrested, or have been involved in any removal or deportation proceedings. Your situation requires additional attention from an experienced immigration lawyer.

After determining that you have a lost green card abroad and an expected date of return to the United States, it is important to prepare and file Form I-131A in a timely manner. It will take about two weeks to receive the travel document and it is usually valid for 30 days.

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