Marriage ending, Greencard will expire... I want to travel before I leave for good... ESTA

[newacct 688]

You won't encounter any CBP while inside the USA.

There are actually lots of CBP checkpoints inside the US.

[Sandra G. 5,016]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zVejlGvszg2s.kCDZmZ0ZEyJ0&hl=en_US

[NikLR 13,220]

There are actually lots of CBP checkpoints inside the US.

Most of them are, technically, but I've never had to go through a cbp checkpoint when travelling by air domestically. Beyond that, it's not an issue for the OP because they will have a valid green card until the expiration date.

[Fan_Dancer 171]

Because he'd have to remove the conditions, and then wait here after that (likely for another 2 years) to get citizenship.

He wants to go back to England... why get US citizenship?

Because everybody in the world wants US citizenship, of course.

[NikLR 13,220]

Because everybody in the world wants US citizenship, of course.

Sure.

<<<<< doesn't.

Lol

[Ryan H 3,790]

***Moved from Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum to Effects of Major Family Changes on Immigration Benefits forum.***

**Moderator hat off**

OP, after your return to the UK, if the expiration date on your green card has not yet passed, voluntarily surrender it to the Embassy in London.

[Cathi 5,609]

no one can mess anything up for you. Your green card is valid until the date printed on it. Period. Stop letting your ex try to scare you.

Edited August 4, 2015 by mimolicious

[whitty2812 12]

Thank you all for your kind words, support and advice. My green card doesn't expire until December 4, 2016, and I'm planning to leave the Country on October 27, 2015. So, now I have clarified with you all, I know I'm absolutely fine. On my return to London, I already planned to surrender my greencard at the Embassy. I'm incredibly relieved to know my ex can't do anything to me. Now I can look forward to my mini adventure, and leave America with positive memories as opposed to my current ones.

Thank you all!

Edited August 4, 2015 by whitty2812

[tuckin14 58]

Have a great trip, and enjoy seeing the sights.

The only reason it really matters if you surrender your green card is because the USA claims the right to tax you on all your worldwide income as long as you hold USA residency.

As a British citizen, you almost surely won't have trouble re-entering the USA as long as you were never here illegally. You shouldn't need a visa, you can just show your British passport at the port of entry. In theory they can deny you admission but in practice why would they?

In my entire life I've seen only one border patrol checkpoint other than at the border, which was somewhere in Vermont on a major highway, maybe they figured some people were being smuggled in from Canada.

[General Buhari 46]

Because everybody in the world wants US citizenship, of course.

Possibly but I don't have the crystal ball to tell. But of this I know I'll wager that most that left everything behind to seek bette life with a loved one in the USA would want citizenship.

It's only an intelligent end result.

Thank you all for your kind words, support and advice. My green card doesn't expire until December 4, 2016, and I'm planning to leave the Country on October 27, 2015. So, now I have clarified with you all, I know I'm absolutely fine. On my return to London, I already planned to surrender my greencard at the Embassy. I'm incredibly relieved to know my ex can't do anything to me. Now I can look forward to my mini adventure, and leave America with positive memories as opposed to my current ones.

Thank you all!

Excellent. The best decision is always the one from within after considering all options.

I do have a question for even keeled experts. So OP has definitely expressed intent to migrate to the US. Would this affect future travels as a visitor to the US?

[MacUK 983]

Thank you all for your kind words, support and advice. My green card doesn't expire until December 4, 2016, and I'm planning to leave the Country on October 27, 2015. So, now I have clarified with you all, I know I'm absolutely fine. On my return to London, I already planned to surrender my greencard at the Embassy. I'm incredibly relieved to know my ex can't do anything to me. Now I can look forward to my mini adventure, and leave America with positive memories as opposed to my current ones.

Thank you all!

Just to let you know, the weather back here in Blighty is pants. Make sure you make the most of a bit of sunshine before getting on the freedom bird back home

[MacUK 983]

Possibly but I don't have the crystal ball to tell. But of this I know I'll wager that most that left everything behind to seek bette life with a loved one in the USA would want citizenship.

It's only an intelligent end result.

Not everybody in the world considers the US as being a 'better life' and the OP is no longer with his former loved one.

So no real point in prolonging things to get citizenship.

I do have a question for even keeled experts. So OP has definitely expressed intent to migrate to the US. Would this affect future travels as a visitor to the US?

Excellent point that has been brought up in previous threads. General thoughts are that by surrendering the greencard at your home countries US embassy you are demonstrating that you no longer have intent to immigrate to the US.

[General Buhari 46]

Not everybody in the world considers the US as being a 'better life' and the OP is no longer with his former loved one.

So no real point in prolonging things to get citizenship.

Excellent point that has been brought up in previous threads. General thoughts are that by surrendering the greencard at your home countries US embassy you are demonstrating that you no longer have intent to immigrate to the US.

My opinions were directed to the OP, it clearly doesn't apply to you.

[MacUK 983]

As a British citizen, you almost surely won't have trouble re-entering the USA as long as you were never here illegally. You shouldn't need a visa, you can just show your British passport at the port of entry. In theory they can deny you admission but in practice why would they?

Just a small point but British Citizens certainly can NOT just rock up at a POE and show their passport.

They have to have a valid ESTA and be admissable under the terms of the VWP.

One thing I'm curious about although I'm quite sure it doesn't apply to the OP.

Everyone knows that overstays are forgiven for spouses of USCs when adjusting status for a greencars. But does that forgiveness still apply if the overstayer then returns to their own country and surrenders their greencard?

Say Mr X visits the US on VWP, overstays 5 years, marries a USC and adjusts to LPR successfully.

Little bit later and the marriage fails so Mr X returns home and hands in GC.

Would he then be hit with the 10 year ban he would have incurred if he hadn't adjusted status?

And if not that would he still forfeit VWP privileges for the future?

Just a curious question for the more learned forum members.

My opinions were directed to the OP, it clearly doesn't apply to you.

What does that have to do with it?

The OP stated that he had no wish to live in the US any longer

[whitty2812 12]

For the record, I didn't seek a "better life" in America. I'm from London, the quality of life is pretty high. I only came over here for my soon to be ex-wife. They are both great places to live though, it's just I can develop my career far further and quicker in the UK than I can here, and my family is over there!

Haha. MacUK, I'll definitely be soaking up the Californian sun before I head back!!