Our experience traveling back to USA on expired GC and an extension letter

[gregcrs2 1,777]

This is our experience flying back to the USA with an expire green card and an extension letter.  Flew from Kiev, Ukraine to Paris, and then to Atlanta.  At the airport in Kiev, airline personnel nor Passport Control asked to see an extension letter.  In Paris, my wife showed her Ukrainian passport with her expired green card.  We intentionally did not show the extension letter to see what would happen.  They looked at the expired green card and asked if we had an extension letter, which was promptly provided for review.  In Atlanta, the passport/expired green card/extension letter was provided to the CBP officer.  Took them a few minutes to process it and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  So our experience was zero problems traveling on expired green card with an extension letter; and in our case, airline security are well aware of extension letters. Hope this helps alleviate some worrying for those who will travel with an extension letter. 

[Crazy Cat 39,254]

Thanks for the report.  My wife's next international flight will be with GC and extension letter......nice to know we can expect no issues..☺️

[Lenchick 133]

3 hours ago, gregcrs2 said:

This is our experience flying back to the USA with an expire green card and an extension letter.  Flew from Kiev, Ukraine to Paris, and then to Atlanta.  At the airport in Kiev, airline personnel nor Passport Control asked to see an extension letter.  In Paris, my wife showed her Ukrainian passport with her expired green card.  We intentionally did not show the extension letter to see what would happen.  They looked at the expired green card and asked if we had an extension letter, which was promptly provided for review.  In Atlanta, the passport/expired green card/extension letter was provided to the CBP officer.  Took them a few minutes to process it and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  So our experience was zero problems traveling on expired green card with an extension letter; and in our case, airline security are well aware of extension letters. Hope this helps alleviate some worrying for those who will travel with an extension letter. 

Was it a conditional green card? In fact they shouldn’t asking even for the extension  letter. Here is the link on the official website where it says that airlines are informed they shouldn’t deny boarding for an expired 10 year green card.

 

https://de.usembassy.gov/visas/customs-and-border-protection/

[gregcrs2 1,777]

2 minutes ago, Lenchick said:

Was it a conditional green card? In fact they shouldn’t asking even for the extension  letter. Here is the link on the official website where it says that airlines are informed they shouldn’t deny boarding for an expired 10 year green card.

 

https://de.usembassy.gov/visas/customs-and-border-protection/

Yes, it is a conditional green card.

[Ksenia_O 695]

13 hours ago, gregcrs2 said:

This is our experience flying back to the USA with an expire green card and an extension letter.  Flew from Kiev, Ukraine to Paris, and then to Atlanta.  At the airport in Kiev, airline personnel nor Passport Control asked to see an extension letter.  In Paris, my wife showed her Ukrainian passport with her expired green card.  We intentionally did not show the extension letter to see what would happen.  They looked at the expired green card and asked if we had an extension letter, which was promptly provided for review.  In Atlanta, the passport/expired green card/extension letter was provided to the CBP officer.  Took them a few minutes to process it and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  So our experience was zero problems traveling on expired green card with an extension letter; and in our case, airline security are well aware of extension letters. Hope this helps alleviate some worrying for those who will travel with an extension letter. 

Glad, you made it back safe !

 

A secondary, usually, is required, when you travel with I-551 stamp in your passport. But it doesn't take a lot time either.  

 

Hopefully, you will have your  I-751 approval before a "combo" of an expired green card & Ext letter gets expired.  And I-551 stamp would not be needed to travel internationally.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

[manticora 13]

On 5/22/2019 at 5:04 PM, gregcrs2 said:

This is our experience flying back to the USA with an expire green card and an extension letter.  Flew from Kiev, Ukraine to Paris, and then to Atlanta.  At the airport in Kiev, airline personnel nor Passport Control asked to see an extension letter.  In Paris, my wife showed her Ukrainian passport with her expired green card.  We intentionally did not show the extension letter to see what would happen.  They looked at the expired green card and asked if we had an extension letter, which was promptly provided for review.  In Atlanta, the passport/expired green card/extension letter was provided to the CBP officer.  Took them a few minutes to process it and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  So our experience was zero problems traveling on expired green card with an extension letter; and in our case, airline security are well aware of extension letters. Hope this helps alleviate some worrying for those who will travel with an extension letter. 

Thank you for sharing! Does anyone have an experience traveling from Kyiv to US via Lufthansa with an expired conditional green card and an extension letter? 

Edited June 24, 2019 by manticora

[Yuliia 62]

Who traveled from Kyiv To US via MAU Ukraine International Air lines?