Received Permanent Resident Approval Letter but not Green Card - Can I travel?

[AlannaMike 0]

I have just received notice that my Green Card has been approved.

It says that the actual Green Card will be mailed out within 3-weeks.

Do I need to wait until I have the physical green card before travelling back to Canada?

I also applied for AP and EAD but this permanent resident approval letter came BEFORE the EAD and AP.

Thanks!

[payxibka 10,045]

I certainly would not reccommend leaving without the card being physically in your hands

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Yes, you absolutely need to wait.

On a positive note, you should get your card within 10 days; the 3-week time frame is way too conservative.

[HeatDeath 430]

If there is a serious emergency, on the order of a dying relative, that absolutely requires immediate travel to Canada as soon as humanly possible, you can get a InfoPass appointment. Show them the approval notice, and documentary proof of the immediate crisis, and they'll give you an I-551 passport stamp, which is completely identical to a green card, that you can travel and reenter the US with.

Otherwise, you have to wait until you have the card in hand. You will have a very not-fun time trying to get back in with just an approval notice. Not saying it won't work, necessarily, but the conversation you have with CBP will not be fun. Just sayin'.