traveling with green card

[Paul Wang 0]

Hello everyone,

Just got my green card (conditional one, will expire in 2 yrs). I am wondering if I still need any travel document to guarantee to re-enter US, or green card itself is sufficient to allow me come back. Many thanks.

[Brit Abroad 166]

The green card IS your travel doc. The AP is only issued as a temporary measure while the green card application is being processed.

Provided you aren't intending to be out of the US for long periods (like a year, when you need to get a re-entry permit in advance) the green card is fine for short term trips.

[HeatDeath 430]

I think that, technically, the GC will get you back into the US by itself, but you will find yourself getting raised eyebrows (and very probable delays and complications) at the PoE if you attempt to reenter the US without also having your valid Chinese passport with you. Things will be much smoother if you keep that passport valid and have it with you whenever you leave the country.

I'm not sure ,and actually somewhat doubt, that even the countries that let GC holders in visa-free (Canada, Mexico, most Caribbean countries) will let you in with only a GC, so you'd need the passport anyways.

For Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, the GC/passport combination is definitely all you need. For other countries, you will need a visa (or not) just as any other Chinese citizen would, but you will definitely need a passport.

[MissDinaDee 8]

You must follow DHS requirments as follows:

Lawful Permanent Residents

Air Travel

All travelers including children must present a passport or secure travel document when entering the United States by air.

Land/Sea Travel

Lawful permanent residents may continue to present their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. More information available at CBP.gov.

DHS Crossing U.S. Borders

You should always carry proper documentation when travelling out of the country. Its in your best interest to have the ability to prove your status within the US.

Good luck!

MrsJ

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

I think that, technically, the GC will get you back into the US by itself, but you will find yourself getting raised eyebrows (and very probable delays and complications) at the PoE if you attempt to reenter the US without also having your valid Chinese passport with you.

How hot is it where you live?

Tell me how a Chinese can enter an airplane to the US without a valid passport?

If we can agree that a passport is needed in any case, why are we making this an issue? It's like saying somebody also needs a head on the body. No passport, no head, no travel, not even with a valid Green Card.

[Shenzhen 34]

Hello everyone,

Just got my green card (conditional one, will expire in 2 yrs). I am wondering if I still need any travel document to guarantee to re-enter US, or green card itself is sufficient to allow me come back. Many thanks.

Once your in the USA you will still need both to re-enter. THAT IS CHINESE PASSPORT and GREEN CARD>!

[HeatDeath 430]

How hot is it where you live?

Tell me how a Chinese can enter an airplane to the US without a valid passport?

If we can agree that a passport is needed in any case, why are we making this an issue? It's like saying somebody also needs a head on the body. No passport, no head, no travel, not even with a valid Green Card.

I think you can drive to Canada and back with a GC but no passport. That or Mexico would be the only possibilities.

Being a Canadian who's taken more car trips than flights, it's the first case that naturally comes to mind.

Even if the OP is planning on flying somewhere (which would require a passport in all cases, as you say, I don't want future readers, who might be planning to drive to Canada, who find this thread by searching by keyword, to have an incomplete picture of the requirements.

The weather is actually pretty nice here.

Edited August 13, 2011 by HeatDeath