How to Return a Green Card to USCIS

Key Takeaways

Returning a Green Card involves formally relinquishing U.S. lawful permanent resident status and affects future U.S. residency and work.
The process requires completing Form I-407, providing supporting documents, and using secure mailing options for submission.
It is crucial to verify USCIS mailing addresses and confirm receipt; legal advice is highly recommended for guidance.

Returning a Green Card to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 🇺🇸 is a significant decision that can have lasting implications. Individuals may choose to return their Green Card for a variety of reasons, such as moving permanently abroad or relinquishing their permanent resident status. Here’s a step-by-step guide to understanding how to return your Green Card, the necessary steps, forms involved, and the details on mailing the card back to USCIS.

Introduction to Returning a Green Card

Returning a Green Card means formally giving up your rights and benefits as a lawful permanent resident of the United States. This decision can affect your ability to live and work in the U.S. in the future. It’s important to fully understand the process and complete each step accurately to ensure your intentions are properly documented.

Step-by-Step Guide to Returning Your Green Card

Step 1: Decide if It’s the Right Choice

Important: Think carefully about this decision. Once you give up your Green Card, you will lose your permanent resident status and will need a visa to enter the U.S. again.

Consider Alternatives: If you’re unsure, talk to an immigration lawyer. They can explain what giving up your Green Card means and explore other options with you.
Understand the Consequences: Realize that giving up your Green Card will remove your right to live and work in the United States.

Step 2: Complete Form I-407

Form I-407, officially known as “Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status,” is the form used to give up your Green Card. You can download this form from the official USCIS website.

Filling Out the Form: Include personal details, such as your name, Alien Registration Number (A-Number), and the reason for giving up your Green Card.
Signature Required: Make sure to sign the form; otherwise, it won’t be accepted.
Notarization Not Needed: Unlike some documents, Form I-407 does not require notarization.

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

Prepare any documents that support your decision to give up your permanent resident status. This could include:

Identification: A copy of your Green Card (front and back)
Travel History: If relevant, documents showing your frequent visits or plans to stay abroad permanently
Personal Statement: Sometimes, a brief explanation clarifying your decision can be helpful

Step 4: Assemble Your Mailing Package

After completing Form I-407 and gathering your documents, you’ll need to prepare your mailing package. This should include:

Completed Form I-407: Ensure all required sections are filled out and the form is signed.
Copy of Your Green Card: Do not send your original card unless the instructions specifically call for it.
Supporting Documents: As outlined in Step 3

Step 5: Mail Your Green Card and Form

Prepare to send your package. It is recommended to use secure mailing options that allow you to track your package.

Mailing Address: Currently, the designated address for submitting Form I-407 is:
DHS-USCIS

Attn: I-407 Unit

2501 S. State Hwy. 121

Business Ste. 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

Note: Always verify the current address on the USCIS website as addresses can change.

Required Delivery Options: Use delivery services that provide tracking numbers and confirmation of delivery. This helps ensure that your package reaches USCIS without any issues.

Step 6: Verify Receipt by USCIS

Once your package has been mailed, it’s important to confirm receipt by USCIS.

Tracking Confirmation: Use the tracking number provided by the courier service to confirm that your package has been delivered.
Confirmation from USCIS: USCIS typically sends a notice to confirm receipt of Form I-407. This process can take a few weeks.

Understanding What Happens Next

Once you’ve completed these steps, here’s what you can expect:

USCIS Processes Your Form: After receiving your Form I-407, USCIS will process your request. Once approved, you’ll receive confirmation that your lawful permanent resident status has been officially abandoned.
Future Entry into the U.S.: If you plan to visit the United States again, you’ll need to apply for entry using a visitor visa or other appropriate visas.
Impact on Naturalization Applications: If you planned to apply for U.S. citizenship, abandoning your Green Card will end your eligibility. Should you wish to regain permanent status, you’ll need to apply for a new immigrant visa through family, employment, or other pathways.

Additional Resources and Support

If you have further questions or need assistance:

Consult an Immigration Lawyer: Legal experts can provide personalized advice based on your circumstances.
USCIS Website: The USCIS website offers comprehensive resources about the procedures for withdrawing lawful permanent resident status.
VisaVerge.com: According to VisaVerge.com’s analysis, it is crucial for individuals considering this step to fully understand their options and the implications of relinquishing their Green Card status.

Summary and Final Notes

Returning your Green Card is a significant decision that fully ends your lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. Review all steps carefully to ensure a complete understanding of the process. Filling out the Form I-407 accurately and providing the proper supporting documents is crucial. Always verify the USCIS mailing address before sending your package, and consider confirming receipt of your documents once submitted.

For more information and guidance, visiting the official USCIS website is recommended. You can also seek legal advice for any uncertainties. By following this guide, you can undertake the process smoothly and with confidence, ensuring that your intentions are clearly documented by USCIS.

Learn Today

Green Card: An identification card allowing a non-U.S. citizen to live and work permanently in the United States.
USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, handling lawful immigration to the United States and related processes.
Form I-407: Official form used to voluntarily abandon lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
Alien Registration Number (A-Number): A unique identifying number assigned to a non-citizen by immigration authorities.
Permanent Resident Status: Legal status allowing an individual to reside permanently in a country where they are not a citizen.

This Article in a Nutshell

Returning your Green Card is a pivotal decision with lasting implications. Carefully consider alternatives, as losing permanent resident status affects future U.S. entry. Complete Form I-407, include supporting documents, and mail them securely to USCIS. Confirm delivery. For guidance, consult an immigration lawyer. Your future in America depends on diligent execution.
— By VisaVerge.com

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Terry

1 day ago

Hello. After I read the information provided on your website, I then read the information on the DHS website (Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status | USCIS) and it has a major caveat there under Special Instructions: “If you file this form with us, we will provide your name and the filing date to the Internal Revenue Service. (See Internal Revenue Code section 6039G(d)(3).)
There may be significant income tax consequences when you are no longer a lawful permanent resident, such as being subject to an expatriation tax.”

I found this warning interesting, so I read up on it. Apparently Lawful Permanent Residence and Long Term Resident people (aka Green Card Holders) can be forced to pay the Expatriate Tax. From what I read and understood, regardless of the length of the person’s physical residency in the USA, he/she will be burdened with this tax merely for saying “hey, I no longer wish to be considered a resident of the USA”.

Please, can you expand your article to include this information, described in laymen’s terms, so we readers can better understand to whom, specifically, this tax applies.

Does the true length of physical residency matter, i.e., 25 months living in Utah, LPR departing Utah to her home country to follow her husband’s military career with near yearly visits to Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, just to retain her LPR status; with the final visit to US “land” around 2010.

I’d hate to hear of someone being screwed just for merely returning the US Government’s property to it.

What say you?

Thank you Sir.

Visa Verge

Admin

Reply to Terry

Short answer: Yes, if you file Form I‑407 USCIS tells the IRS, and you can face the U.S. expatriation tax if you qualify as a “long‑term resident” or otherwise become a “covered expatriate.”

When the IRS checks, the rule is about your legal status, not physical days: you’re a long‑term resident if you held LPR status in at least 8 of the last 15 tax years (even one day in a year counts). If you meet that test and also hit income/net‑worth or tax‑compliance triggers, the IRS may treat your assets as sold the day before you give up status, which can create big tax bills.

If you’re unsure, get your LPR year count and talk to an international tax attorney before filing I‑407. Quick tip: don’t mail the card until you’ve checked with a tax pro.