A
Permanent Resident Card, or
Green Card,
serves as an individual’s proof of lawful permanent resident status in the United
States. An individual with a Permanent Resident Card has the right to live and work permanently in the United States. Permanent Resident Card
holders have to follow immigration laws and be properly registered with the
United States government. Permanent Resident Card holders are entitled to depart the United
States on vacation or for work purposes. However, there are limitations on how long
Permanent Resident Card holders can stay outside the United States without losing his or her
permanent resident status. A document called a "Reentry Permit"
must be obtained from the USCIS in many cases.
Reentry Permits for Permanent Resident Card Holders: Only Permanent Resident Card holders may obtain a reentry permit when visiting
foreign countries. United States citizens and foreign nationals on nonimmigrant
visas don't need to obtain a "Reentry Permit."
The purpose of applying for and obtaining a reentry permit is to preserve an
alien's permanent resident status (Permanent Resident Card). Permanent Resident Card holders leaving the
United States for a long period of time without obtaining a reentry permit
may risk losing their Permanent Resident status. There are different requirements that all
permanent residents should be aware of when traveling abroad with a Permanent Resident Card.
The
Permanent Resident Card Information Guide contains important
information on how long a Permanent Resident Card holder can stay outside the
United States without losing his or her
residence status, and information on how to apply for a reentry permit in case of
an extended
time outside the country.
An individual may depart the U.S. as long as the reentry application is
submitted in the United States. However, it is risky to leave the country before the permit is approved
because it is possible that the document could be denied, hence creating a problem upon returning to
the country. It may be possible to obtain a returning resident visa, but this is
not guaranteed.
Important Notice for Permanent Resident Card holders planning on applying for U.S.
citizenship: Before a Permanent Resident Card holder can apply for U.S. citizenship
through the naturalization process, he or she needs to fulfill a residency
requirement. The time spent abroad does not count towards this requirement.
Permanent Resident Card holders staying abroad for lengthy periods may disrupt their
residency, since the time spent abroad does not count towards the residency
requirement for naturalization. However, it is possible to submit an
"Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes". Detailed
information and application procedures can be found in the
Permanent Resident Card
Information Guide.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
BEFORE PROCEEDING
- The Permanent Resident Card Information Guide DOES NOT INCLUDE
Permanent Resident Card APPLICATIONS
- The Permanent Resident Card Information Guide contains information for current Permanent Resident Card
holders and individuals who would like to know more about the benefits
and obligations of being a United States permanent resident.
- The information guide includes answers to some of the most frequently asked
questions, including:
- How long can a Permanent Resident Card holder stay outside the country
without losing his or her
 Permanent Resident Card?
- How to apply for a reentry permit
- How to preserve your residency for naturalization purposes
- If you are not a United States permanent resident, we recommend
you first apply for a Permanent Resident Card. There are several ways to apply for a Permanent Resident Card,
including:
- Green Card through Marriage
- Green Card through Relatives
- Green Card Resident Card through Employment
- Green Card Resident Card through Investment
- Green Card Resident Card Lottery
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For more information about traveling abroad with a Permanent Resident Card, it is recommended
to order the Permanent Resident Card Information Guide.The Permanent Resident Card Information Guide contains:
- Information about traveling with a Conditional Permanent Resident Card
- Information about traveling with a Permanent Resident Card
- Detailed information about reentry permits for Permanent Resident Card holders spending
extended periods of time outside the United States
- How to apply for a reentry permit while still in the United States
- How to apply for a reentry permit abroad
- How to preserve your residency for naturalization purposes
- How submit the "Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes"
- Information about commuter status for individuals living in Canada or Mexico but working in the U.S.
- Frequently asked questions and answers
- List of all USCIS (formerly INS) offices nationwide
- List of United States embassies and consulates
- FREE Application forms
