Using Green Card for the first time

[kylejb 0]

My wife and son got their green cards without any issues. Now they have went back to Russia, her home country for a visit with family members. I will be going there in a month and then we all are coming back home together. Is there anything that we have to do to "use" the green card? Has anyone ever experienced any issues using it? (Sorry if I am using the wrong term of "using it").

Thanks.

[katie & sifa 25]

My wife and son got their green cards without any issues. Now they have went back to Russia, her home country for a visit with family members. I will be going there in a month and then we all are coming back home together. Is there anything that we have to do to "use" the green card? Has anyone ever experienced any issues using it? (Sorry if I am using the wrong term of "using it").

Thanks.

You shouldn't need to do anything other than have them (and their passports) with them when they go and come back. It's basically just another form of ID that shows that they are a permanent resident. Travel & have fun!

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

We just returned from England, my husband using his GC for the first time. Basically everybody that needs to see the passport, wanted to see the GC also. It started when trying to line up to check baggage and get boarding passes. A man at the entry to the line asked if husband had completed ESTA (for visa waiver countries) and he said "no, I'm a permanent resident of the US." So the man asked to see the GC. Then the people that asked the questions..."Did you pack your own bags", etc wanted to see his passport and GC. And so it went until we were on the plane.

I believe it was the first man (about ESTA) who mentioned something about all the names have to match. I asked him what if a woman had a passport in her maiden name, but had married and the GC was in her married name. He said that happens all day long here. A copy of the marriage certificate should be carried showing the name change. So if kylejb's wife has different names on her passport and GC, he might want to take a copy of their marriage certificate for her to have when returning to the USA.

[payxibka 10,044]

You shouldn't need to do anything other than have them (and their passports) with them when they go and come back. It's basically just another form of ID that shows that they are a permanent resident. Travel & have fun!

It is more than basically another form of ID. For the alien, the green card is the entry document. An alien can re-enter on green card alone without a passport. So for the alien at the POE, the passport is basically just another form of ID.

[winifredbee 1]

My wife and son got their green cards without any issues. Now they have went back to Russia, her home country for a visit with family members. I will be going there in a month and then we all are coming back home together. Is there anything that we have to do to "use" the green card? Has anyone ever experienced any issues using it? (Sorry if I am using the wrong term of "using it").

Thanks.

Thank you for asking this question. We are traveling back to Nicaragua in August and I have the same question. I usually always carry any important documents or copies...just in case. Enjoy your trip.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Just don't be concerned if they fingerprint you and take a face recognition photo. It's all part of Homeland Security's annoying game and most of us go through it.

[kylejb 0]

Ok thanks for all the replies. The names do match what is on the passports. We didn't change the last name for this reason. Way to much to go thru for name changes. Besides, all the SSN and Driver License are already in her last name. So it was easier this way.

Ok, so it should be fine then. Thanks again for the replies.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to General Immigration Related Discussion as this isn't an AOS question specifically, more a general Immigration question**