Left Greencard in US - Can I temporarily use Visa Waiver

[Charles_n_Grace 24]

The landlord or building super has keys.  If you could contact them giving permission for a certain friend to enter and get your GC, they may do so.  It might be difficult to prove you're you, or they might have rules against it, but isn't it worth a shot?

[JFH 12,189]

Surely FedExing a set of keys there and FedExing a GC back again is cheaper than $585 and a trip to the embassy and a possible missed flight if there are no appointments available before the anticipated flight date? 

[Boiler 43,397]

25 minutes ago, JFH said:

Surely FedExing a set of keys there and FedExing a GC back again is cheaper than $585 and a trip to the embassy and a possible missed flight if there are no appointments available before the anticipated flight date? 

You would have thought?

[Sunnyland 639]

10 hours ago, EmilyW said:

Get your GC Fedexed to you with insurance and tracking.  Come back in with your Greencard.

 

What you're suggesting is illegal and sounds like a plotline from a Cheech and Chong movie.

        Exactly my thought! 

[shell20 746]

5 hours ago, kensey said:

Unfortunately FedEx is difficult as I don't have anyone with keys to my apartment there, so I'd first have to fed ex the keys the other way, that all costs time. I guess I'll have to go the proper route and do the transportation letter. Do you get the 2 envelopes the same day you go the embassy? Unfortunately in Germany there is a 3 day waiting time to get an appointment. The phone line to the USCIS is tape only, no way to go around the electronic appointment system, and yes, it's expensive. This whole immigration thing, I always get the impression we are made to jump through hoops for nothing, all my information is in their system anyway, oh well. And to those who ask how one could possibly travel without the card, when I packed my stuff I mistook my old employment authorization card for the green card, and packed that one instead. They look kind of similar, should have thrown it away long time ago.

 

It's easily done.  When I was at the embassy the officer there told me you wouldn't believe how many people have lost, or had their cards stolen and probably left them at home. There were three guys as well as myself all with missing GC's and I couldn't help but think "Ch ching, Ch ching for the USCIS.  Just wish the service reflected the cost because its not an easy procedure to get the letter, they do make you jump through hoops.

 

Good luck!

Edited May 15, 2017 by shell20

[PhilLuv 43]

UPS a copy of your keys to the US and let them FedEx your greencard to you. I have had my greencard UPS to me in the UK before. UPS only takes few days and may cost you less money.

[caliliving 606]

Having a friend break your window is alot easier and time consuming too! Haha

 

I would think of any way to get in your apartment and get that card! 

 

You really thought entering as a tourist when you are a permanent resident was a good idea? You don't think the border has entry/exit dates in the system? Surely you would have been pulled into secondary and surely you would have told the border your "plan. Please, think rationally.

 

 

[mrtravel 40]

Wow,  $585..  That's seems a bit steep..   
As it has been indicated, it might cost less to find a way for someone to get your greencard and FedEX it to you.
Maybe your landlord might due it for a fee..
Also, as noted, as permanent resident, you cannot pretend you are entering as a tourist and apply for ESTA
 

[mallafri76 1,012]

15 hours ago, kensey said:

Unfortunately FedEx is difficult as I don't have anyone with keys to my apartment there, so I'd first have to fed ex the keys the other way, that all costs time. I guess I'll have to go the proper route and do the transportation letter. Do you get the 2 envelopes the same day you go the embassy? Unfortunately in Germany there is a 3 day waiting time to get an appointment. The phone line to the USCIS is tape only, no way to go around the electronic appointment system, and yes, it's expensive. This whole immigration thing, I always get the impression we are made to jump through hoops for nothing, all my information is in their system anyway, oh well. And to those who ask how one could possibly travel without the card, when I packed my stuff I mistook my old employment authorization card for the green card, and packed that one instead. They look kind of similar, should have thrown it away long time ago.

 

I'm confused. You haven't filled out your timeline so I don't know where in the process you are but you keep saying you left your green card but then you also talk about immigrating?!?! If you're immigrating, you don't have a green card yet. If you have a green card, you're done with the immigrating part and then the law says you need to carry your green card with you at all times, so no point getting upset with US immigrations over it...

 

Do you own your apartment or lease? If you lease, the leasing office will have access to your apartment. Not sure if that's the same when you own your apartment. 

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Whatever "tricks" you are trying to pull will cost you your GC and then you can kiss goodbye to all these urgent things that you need to return to do.

As a rule of thumb. Make copies  (scan/photocopies) of your green card with you whenever you travel. You travel with your apartment key??

Look through your immigration files (if you have access to them), you might have scanned your GC at some point. There are many instances where you have to scan front and back copies for some administrative process.

If you have to find photocopies of your GC, take that to the embassy with you and they will "notarized" to make it official for you to travel back with it.

Same way if you lost your US passport abroad, the photocopies with authorization from the embassy will be your "ticket back into the US.

Edited May 15, 2017 by IcezMan_IcezLady

[skaratso 84]

1 hour ago, mallafri76 said:

I'm confused. You haven't filled out your timeline so I don't know where in the process you are but you keep saying you left your green card but then you also talk about immigrating?!?! If you're immigrating, you don't have a green card yet. If you have a green card, you're done with the immigrating part and then the law says you need to carry your green card with you at all times, so no point getting upset with US immigrations over it...

 

Do you own your apartment or lease? If you lease, the leasing office will have access to your apartment. Not sure if that's the same when you own your apartment. 

 

OP has their Green Card already.