A return visit to country of origin!

[earthwormgym 1]

Hey guys!

Firstly, a huge thank you to all who helped during my immigration journey. Wife and I have been happily together for 4 months + after receiving green card and social security!

My latest question relates to visits back home. My wife and I plan to visit the UK for a week and a half during Christmas. I would assume that when returning to the US, I would just need to show my green card and all would be fine...is there anything else I need to show them? And I assume now too that we both go up to the immigration officer together, rather than as individuals.

Thanks again everyone :-)

James R

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You just need your GC and passport. And yes, go as a family. I usually ask the agent directing the line where to go (when there are separate lines for citizens and LPRs) and when we arrive at the counter I announce that we are one citizen and one PR.

[Ryan H 3,795]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.

[earthwormgym 1]

Thanks for such a quick response!!

So to clarify, I need to bring just my Green Card and my UK Passport, and wife brings her US passport and we both go to US Citizens/Permanent resident line (unless they are separate).

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yep yep. If the lines are separate ask where you can go together (so far it has always been the USC line for us but best to ask).

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thanks for such a quick response!!

So to clarify, I need to bring just my Green Card and my UK Passport, and wife brings her US passport and we both go to US Citizens/Permanent resident line (unless they are separate).

And a tip for you:

Start a file on your computer for trips out of the country with the dates. Then if/when you apply for citizenship, you will have a handy reference of those dates because it is a question on the application form to list all dates out of the US.

[earthwormgym 1]

And a tip for you:

Start a file on your computer for trips out of the country with the dates. Then if/when you apply for citizenship, you will have a handy reference of those dates because it is a question on the application form to list all dates out of the US.

Ah, good to know! Thanks for this!!

[earthwormgym 1]

Yep yep. If the lines are separate ask where you can go together (so far it has always been the USC line for us but best to ask).

Sorry, what does USC mean?

[Stevephoto 224]

Sorry, what does USC mean?

US Citizen!

[Sirdaniel42 86]

And a tip for you:

Start a file on your computer for trips out of the country with the dates. Then if/when you apply for citizenship, you will have a handy reference of those dates because it is a question on the application form to list all dates out of the US.

Thank you for the tip!

[Hypnos 6,576]

You don't even need your foreign passport to enter the US, a permanent resident need only show their green card for re-entry.

You'll have your passport anyway (to get into and out of the UK) but it's just something to bear in mind.

[earthwormgym 1]

thanks all again- great info and USC- US Citizen- I could have worked that out I guess, haha!

[jkelly07 120]

if your wifes passport still has her maiden name on the passport. then you need to purchase the airline tickets in the same name it must match the passport the same name.you use your green card to return to the u.s bring your marriage certificate just for insurance. have a safe trip

[BirdyGirl85 23]

if your wifes passport still has her maiden name on the passport. then you need to purchase the airline tickets in the same name it must match the passport the same name.you use your green card to return to the u.s bring your marriage certificate just for insurance. have a safe trip

You can do that? I am the USC and I haven't gotten a new passport with my married name on it yet, since I haven't traveled outside of the U.S. since I have gotten married. My passport doesn't expire until 2016, but my husband and I are thinking of going to China next year. I was thinking I had to get a new passport with my new last name, but I don't have to if I just buy my flight tickets in my maiden name, and that is ok? For some reason I am thinking it's not ok, even though people can get away with it... I don't know. But I would really rather wait until my passport expires to get a new one with my new last name.

Edited October 15, 2013 by BirdyGirl85

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can do that? I am the USC and I haven't gotten a new passport with my married name on it yet, since I haven't traveled outside of the U.S. since I have gotten married. My passport doesn't expire until 2016, but my husband and I are thinking of going to China next year. I was thinking I had to get a new passport with my new last name, but I don't have to if I just buy my flight tickets in my maiden name, and that is ok? For some reason I am thinking it's not ok, even though people can get away with it... I don't know. But I would really rather wait until my passport expires to get a new one with my new last name.

It's totally okay to have passport in maiden name and GC in married name. Book the tickets in your passport name.