Travel Before and After Applying - Card expiration and biometrics location

[bunkx 25]

Hello everyone,

 

My permanent resident card expires at the end of November. Hence the application window opens at the end of August. I have two main questions,

 

1. I'll be traveling back home to Belgium for family reasons from 8/22 to 9/3. Do you think I'll have any issues traveling with a green card that's expiring in November? Either when leaving the country, entering the country on my way back, or even when boarding the flight coming back to the US where they'll check my greencard.

(I've heard of people getting turned down at the airport when traveling with a passport that expires in the next 3 months. My passport is good until 2026, it's just my greencard that expires 11/30/2019)

 

2. I'll send the application packet as soon as I get back from Belgium. However, from 9/8 to 10/28 I'll be in Florida for work. I live in Virginia, so I'm wondering how that's going to work with the biometrics appointment. If I remember correctly, that usually happens about a month or so after applying. They will probably give me an appointment here in Virginia. Will I have to come back from Florida to do this, or can I go a processing center in Florida to do this? I'm not concerned about the interview etc, since that probably won't happen for another year or so haha. My husband will still be here, so receiving mail won't be an issue.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

[Sukie 1,439]

1.  You are fine traveling with your Green Card.  Don't worry.

 

2.  It is best if you don't try to change your biometrics appointment, but it IS possible to do so.  Most appointments are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks after you submit your packet, so if you mail it at the end of September, you should be back in Virginia before they schedule you, AND, you have submitted about 60 days prior to your Green Card expiring.

 

Best of luck to you!

 

Sukie in NY