Travel with GC

[bashray 24]

Hi guys, first time here. I had a long immigration journey of 16 years to get my GC in 2016 finally. Now taking vacation with family after a very long time and traveling internationally. I am a bit nervous and feeling a anxious about traveling outside US as I have not done that in last 16 years. It was a work based immigration so got stuck in backlogs and what not. Just wanted to ask how is the travel experience on GC specially in today's political climate? Anyone want to share their recent experience with me, really appreciate that. I am only leaving for a couple of weeks.

[geowrian 22,336]

Enjoy your visit (hopefully it's a vacation!). Carry your green card. Answer any questions honestly. I doubt it's likely that you would get pulled into secondary, but if it happens then it happens...it doesn't mean anything is wrong. Just leave more than enough time to get through immigration either way.

[Sunnyland 639]

Make a copy of your GC and do NOT lose it while abroad. Also carry (and make copies) of your GC approval letter. I would do it just to be careful. Enjoy your trip. You should be fine. One advise, try not to spend too long time abroad. 

[poolemit 25]

Congrats, I'm sure it feels great to finally breathe! Nothing to worry about upon travelling, try not to lose the green cards, if it happens you can get a transportation letter from the nearest consulate (most, anyway.)

 

And don't bring back unapproved foods! That's really more of a customs issue, you may get a fine, many airports seem to have dogs now.

[little immigrant 800]

Here is a little bit of my experience when I traveled. I should have shown my GC at the second check point but it all went well regardless. 

 

 

[bashray 24]

Thank you all for your replies. Put my mind a bit on ease

[TBoneTX 43,536]

Thread is moved from General Immigration Discussion to the Working & Traveling forum -- topic is travel.

[Teemo 252]

The past is the past. 16 years of stress doesn't matter to CBP now, now you have the GC in hand you are entitled to the same rights & privileges all other GC holders are.  Today's political climate has zero - I repeat ZERO - bearing on you unless you are traveling to a troubled hotspot in which case you should expect extra scrutiny from a security standpoint. Make sure you know all the rules about time abroad vs time in the US etc so you don't risk losing what you have worked so hard to obtain. Congrats. 

Edited July 9, 2018 by Teemo

[bashray 24]

On 7/9/2018 at 1:46 PM, Teemo said:

The past is the past. 16 years of stress doesn't matter to CBP now, now you have the GC in hand you are entitled to the same rights & privileges all other GC holders are.  Today's political climate has zero - I repeat ZERO - bearing on you unless you are traveling to a troubled hotspot in which case you should expect extra scrutiny from a security standpoint. Make sure you know all the rules about time abroad vs time in the US etc so you don't risk losing what you have worked so hard to obtain. Congrats. 

Thanks Teemo

On 7/7/2018 at 8:59 PM, little immigrant said:

Here is a little bit of my experience when I traveled. I should have shown my GC at the second check point but it all went well regardless. 

 

 

thanks

[602 0]

My husband is an Australian Citizen and US Green Card holder. He had to fly to Australia 10 days ago and he came back into the US yesterday. He had absolutely no problems getting through customs at LAX airport. My husband said they asked him for his passport, permanent residency card and how long he was in Australia...He got right through with no problems at all. He also took a copy of his social security card (Just in Case).  We also made copies of his passport, permanent residency card and social security card to play it safe just in case something happen to his documents. Hope that helps!

 

P.s. This was not his first trip back home since he got the permanent residency. He has made two trips to Australia by himself and two trips with me. So, four trips in all since he got his permanent residency card and no problems getting through customs with any of the trips.