applying for U.S. Citizenship

[e-l-l-e 1]

Hello,

I am a permanent resident of the US. My passport is expired. My resident card is still valid (not expired). I am applying for my citizenship and I would like to know: if apply can I travel with some sort of travel document from the US? I don't want to renew my passport.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

you would have to be a USC to have a US passport, so you apply , take the test have your interview and your oath before you would have a US document.

[NikLR 13,220]

Most airlines require a valid passport. You can drive to Canada with your green card. But if you don't want to renew your current passport, you'll have to wait until after your oath ceremony before you can apply for a US passport.

~~moved to US citizenship discussion from US consulates and embassies~~

[boy15 23]

Hello,

I am a permanent resident of the US. My passport is expired. My resident card is still valid (not expired). I am applying for my citizenship and I would like to know: if apply can I travel with some sort of travel document from the US? I don't want to renew my passport.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

If you travel to other countries even Canada or Mexico, you may still need a valid passport to RE-ENTER the U.S. You can apply for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. It is valid as a “passport”, but it is issued by the U.S government. However, it takes time, normal processing is from 3 – 4 months. You have to pay the $445 fee, get your fingerprint done. So, if you must travel outside the U.S, may consider to renew your passport or apply for a U.S Travel Document. Otherwise, you just wait until the naturalization processing is done and then, apply for U.S Passport.

For your reference:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1191/kw/permanent%20resident%20reentry/suggested/1

http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

Edited November 24, 2015 by boy15

[e-l-l-e 1]

These responses have been extremely helpful! Thanks everyone! This forum is so awesome! filled with knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant people. Thanks again!

[newacct 688]

You do NOT need a passport to enter the US as a permanent resident. However, you will likely have trouble getting on international flights and ships without a passport.

What boy15 is talking about is to apply for a Re-entry Permit. You can in principle use it to travel internationally, but it would be so much more inconvenient than using a regular passport (it is much more expensive, shorter in duration (max 2 years), you would need to get visas to go to pretty much anywhere, some countries don't accept it, and even when it is accepted, you may run into issues with officials and airline staff who aren't familiar with it), that you would only consider using it as a travel document if you absolutely cannot get a passport (e.g. if your country hates you or something).

[e-l-l-e 1]

You do NOT need a passport to enter the US as a permanent resident. However, you will likely have trouble getting on international flights and ships without a passport.

What boy15 is talking about is to apply for a Re-entry Permit. You can in principle use it to travel internationally, but it would be so much more inconvenient than using a regular passport (it is much more expensive, shorter in duration (max 2 years), you would need to get visas to go to pretty much anywhere, some countries don't accept it, and even when it is accepted, you may run into issues with officials and airline staff who aren't familiar with it), that you would only consider using it as a travel document if you absolutely cannot get a passport (e.g. if your country hates you or something).

That's what I'm afraid of, that I won't be able to re-enter the U.S. smh

thanks so much!

[aaron2020 11,651]

That's what I'm afraid of, that I won't be able to re-enter the U.S. smh

thanks so much!

The problem is not re-entering the US. The green card takes care of that.

The problem is that the airlines will not let you board an international flight without a valid passport. It's an immigration issue for your destination country and a security issue. People do not get to fly without the proper credentials. The plane tickets would be a loss if you can not fly for lack of a valid passport.

[e-l-l-e 1]

The problem is not re-entering the US. The green card takes care of that.

The problem is that the airlines will not let you board an international flight without a valid passport. It's an immigration issue for your destination country and a security issue. People do not get to fly without the proper credentials. The plane tickets would be a loss if you can not fly for lack of a valid passport.

Right! my country wouldn't let me fly without one and certainly not the airlines. valid point!

[NikLR 13,220]

You can visit Canada. We're quite lovely people. Most of us. LOL

[Ms Hogan 295]

You can visit Canada. We're quite lovely people. Most of us. LOL

Yes... MOST of us