How to Travel With an Expired Green Card
A green card allows you to travel through other countries while still claiming your American rights. Traveling with an expired green card can become a horrible experience that leaves you unable to get back into the country. When this happens, you must be able to show proper documentation that proves you are in the process of renewal.
- File a USCIS I-90 form. Be sure to keep all receipts and processing papers given to you by customs officials. You cannot file for a green card renewal without first filing for I-90 documentation. This shows your permanent residency in a particular country.
- Be sure that your passport dates are still valid during your travel dates. If your passport and green card are both expired, you will be prohibited from entering the United States.
- Find your local USCIS office and request an INFOPASS appointment. It could take a couple weeks before you can be seen depending on how backed up that particular office location is. There is no use trying to go to a different location as you need to visit the office that is in your direct area. Be sure that you bring your expired green card, passport, identification and I-90 application with you to this appointment. At this appointment, you will be given an I-551 stamp in your passport that acts as a temporary green card while your application is processed. This will allow you to get back into the United States at the end of your travels.
- Be sure that you keep all these documents, no matter how unimportant you may think they are, with you. Customs officials will be more willing to cooperate and let you back into the country if you have all these appropriate documents on hand.