Traveling on Extension Letter?

[MaceMk 40]

On 11/23/2025 at 5:51 PM, Luis V Leon said:

My wife traveled 3 times this year with the extension letter to Ecuador. The first time was around January, and I was with her. At the airport, they always ask for the letter. They seem to be very updated on this matter. Upon arrival at Miami airport, she showed her expired residence card to the officer, and he asked for the extension letter. No issues at all. Next time in August, she traveled alone. She returned just a few days later. She showed her expired residence card, and the officer called support, and she was escorted to a room. She waited for 20 minutes. Another officer came and asked her if she had the extension letter, to which she replied, "Yes."  She was told she had to show the letter, and she replied, but the CBP officer did not ask for it. She was told to always show both documents together to avoid any misunderstandings. She was on her mind like "okkkkkkkkk, whateer you say". Last time, she traveled alone and presented both documents, and everything was just fine. Some officers are just ignorant or plain jerks. 

So, in summary, show both documents by default and do not think they will "guide" you for an easy pass. 

You always show both they go together one without the other isn't valid. No need to wait for someone to ask cause they will for sure and you present both together. Officer wasn't rude was just doing his job.

[MaceMk 40]

11 minutes ago, llcoolwil said:

Has anyone had recent experiences traveling with the extension letter from Canada? My aunt just passed away and I'd really like to be there for my mom. I'd be going through the Montreal airport if that helps any additional insight. 

Not from Canada but travelled from Abu Dhabi and they also have CBP officers and customs clearance on the foreign side before boarding the flight to US. They didn't ask my husband a single question they just saw the papers and that was it. No need to worry. News are highly exaggerated.

[Ladybug13 27]

Has anyone recently traveled to and from South Korea with an expired GC and the extension letter? We will be going to Korea next year and flying out of EWR.  Does anyone have experience with this? Specifically, Air Premia?  I'm not worried about going there as my husband is Korean, but about returning back to the US. He has Global Entry. 

 

Thank you!

[llcoolwil 117]

I have a cruise coming up with Royal Caribbean sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. Heading to the following ports: 

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS 
PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN 
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 
PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

 

Has anyone had issues travelling with on cruise with their expired green card and their letter of extension? 

 

[Jmah89 1]

On 11/23/2025 at 4:51 PM, Luis V Leon said:

My wife traveled 3 times this year with the extension letter to Ecuador. The first time was around January, and I was with her. At the airport, they always ask for the letter. They seem to be very updated on this matter. Upon arrival at Miami airport, she showed her expired residence card to the officer, and he asked for the extension letter. No issues at all. Next time in August, she traveled alone. She returned just a few days later. She showed her expired residence card, and the officer called support, and she was escorted to a room. She waited for 20 minutes. Another officer came and asked her if she had the extension letter, to which she replied, "Yes."  She was told she had to show the letter, and she replied, but the CBP officer did not ask for it. She was told to always show both documents together to avoid any misunderstandings. She was on her mind like "okkkkkkkkk, whateer you say". Last time, she traveled alone and presented both documents, and everything was just fine. Some officers are just ignorant or plain jerks. 

So, in summary, show both documents by default and do not think they will "guide" you for an easy pass. 

Thank you for sharing Luis. My wife also has an extension letter and we are going to visit ecuador (her home country) in a week. Did you fly Copa airlines?

[Luis V Leon 4]

On 2/12/2026 at 12:44 PM, Jmah89 said:

Thank you for sharing Luis. My wife also has an extension letter and we are going to visit ecuador (her home country) in a week. Did you fly Copa airlines?

Yeah, but I highly recommend AA instead, to avoid stopovers, if possible, at least from Miami or NY. CBP usually ask to many questions if you stop in certain countries. Any airline but Spirit would be fine. Actually, she traveled with Copa Airlines last time. They are very knowledgeable about the requirements to travel, at least the supervisors. She had her Ecuadorian passport to expire in less than 6 months, and she was told over the phone that she could not travel until she renewed her passport. I went to the airport and requested a supervisor, and they have a system on their computers, and even you could return to Ecuador with just a national ID in case you do not have a passport. Of course, once she got there, she renewed her passport. No issues at all. 

[Jmah89 1]

22 hours ago, Luis V Leon said:

Yeah, but I highly recommend AA instead, to avoid stopovers, if possible, at least from Miami or NY. CBP usually ask to many questions if you stop in certain countries. Any airline but Spirit would be fine. Actually, she traveled with Copa Airlines last time. They are very knowledgeable about the requirements to travel, at least the supervisors. She had her Ecuadorian passport to expire in less than 6 months, and she was told over the phone that she could not travel until she renewed her passport. I went to the airport and requested a supervisor, and they have a system on their computers, and even you could return to Ecuador with just a national ID in case you do not have a passport. Of course, once she got there, she renewed her passport. No issues at all. 

Luis thank you SO Much! I've been having such bad anxiety about this trip just thinking about the airline not wanting to give my wife a boarding pass. We would be flying back up to California, so COPA airlines was our best bet. We have to stop in Panama (which i'm pretty sure is HQ for COPA) on our way to Houston TX, and then finally to California. Going to be a long day of travel for us with our toddler. Wife's ecuadorian passport does not expire until 2030, thankfully. Hopefully she will be a US citizen before that! we will be applying for n400 once we return from our trip. 

[TBoneTX 49,272]

1 minute ago, Jmah89 said:

We have to stop in Panama (which i'm pretty sure is HQ for COPA) on our way to Houston TX

Flown this route many times.  United IAH-PTY, Copa PTY-UIO, then reverse.  Yes, PTY (nice airport) is HQ for Copa.

 

Last time, I did Avianca IAH-SAL (San Salvador) and SAL-GYE.  Guayaquil is closer to where my stuff has been.  For next time, you might also look at Avianca from your California city to Bogota and then to either UIO or GYE.

[Jmah89 1]

3 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Flown this route many times.  United IAH-PTY, Copa PTY-UIO, then reverse.  Yes, PTY (nice airport) is HQ for Copa.

 

Last time, I did Avianca IAH-SAL (San Salvador) and SAL-GYE.  Guayaquil is closer to where my stuff has been.  For next time, you might also look at Avianca from your California city to Bogota and then to either UIO or GYE.

yes we are flying to Guayaquil. We booked the whole flight through united. I do remember seeing that route with avianca to bogota but i think we got a better deal through united. I'll keep that in mind for next time! how is CBP coming back in through IAH? Think we will run into any issues with our extension letter or they will let us through no problem? its 10 day trip to ecuador just to visit family. 

[TBoneTX 49,272]

12 minutes ago, Jmah89 said:

how is CBP coming back in through IAH? Think we will run into any issues with our extension letter or they will let us through no problem?

Just bring the original extension letter (not a copy) and you should be OK.  Bring your marriage certificate, too.

 

In my experience alone, CBP agents at IAH have never been jovial; they're typically efficient and know their stuff.  Occasionally, some will be in a foul mood and looking to nail somebody.  As long as you have all your necessary papers, it ought to be OK.  Be sure to report back here.