(UNITED STATES) This practical guide will help Green Card holders plan safe international trips and return to the United States 🇺🇸 without problems at the airport. You’ll learn what documents to carry, how long you can stay abroad, when a re-entry permit makes sense, and what to expect with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The goal is simple: travel with confidence and protect your permanent resident status.
Who this guide is for and the documents you must have
If you’re a lawful permanent resident with a valid Green Card (officially Form I-551), you can travel outside the U.S. for temporary trips. To return, you must show:
- Your physical Green Card (Form I-551)
- A valid passport from your country of citizenship (or a refugee travel document, if that applies to you)
Trips should be temporary. Absences of more than 1 year without a re-entry permit can lead to a presumption that you abandoned your residency. Even trips under a year can raise questions if you don’t keep strong ties to the U.S. (home, job, tax filings, bank accounts).
Step-by-step plan for stress-free travel
1) Check your Green Card’s expiration date
– If it expires soon, renew at least 6 months before it expires using Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card): https://www.uscis.gov/i-90
– Don’t travel with an expired or nearly expired card; airlines may not board you, and CBP may delay your return.
2) Decide how long you’ll be abroad
– Up to 6 months: Most trips are fine, but keep your U.S. ties active.
– 6 to 12 months: Expect more CBP questions about your ties when you return.
– Over 12 months: Apply for a re-entry permit before you leave so you can stay outside the U.S. for up to 2 years without risking your status.
3) Apply for a re-entry permit if needed
– Use Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) to request a re-entry permit: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131
– You must file the application while you are in the U.S.
– A re-entry permit lets you stay abroad for up to 2 years on that trip. It does not replace a passport.
4) Prepare your travel packet
Carry these items when you fly back to the U.S.:
– Green Card (Form I-551)
– Valid passport
– Re-entry permit (if you have one)
– Proof of ties: copies of lease or mortgage, U.S. job letter or pay stubs, recent tax returns, bank statements, and evidence of immediate family in the U.S.
5) Keep your U.S. ties while abroad
– Keep your U.S. home or lease if possible.
– File U.S. tax returns as a resident if required.
– Maintain bank accounts and credit cards.
– Keep your U.S. phone line and driver’s license active when possible.
6) Return to the U.S. ready for questions
– CBP officers will check your documents and may ask about your time abroad.
– If you were away for a long time, you may go to secondary inspection to review proof of ties. Stay calm and answer clearly.
Required documents and where to get them
- Green Card (Form I-551): Your proof of permanent resident status. If lost, stolen, damaged, or expiring, file Form I-90: https://www.uscis.gov/i-90
- Passport: Required by most airlines and by CBP to verify identity and nationality.
- Re-entry permit: File Form I-131 before leaving the U.S.: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131
- Refugee travel document (if you’re a refugee or asylee): Requested on Form I-131 as well.
For official guidance on travel documents, see USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/travel-documents
Timelines, costs, and planning tips
- Processing times change. Apply early, especially if you need a re-entry permit.
- You must be physically in the U.S. when you file for a re-entry permit.
- Plan your biometrics and travel dates so you don’t miss required appointments.
- USCIS filing fees apply; amounts can change. Check current fees on USCIS before you file.
- Renew your Green Card well in advance to avoid travel delays.
Common pitfalls that cause trouble at the border
- Traveling with an expired or soon-to-expire Green Card
- Staying abroad over 1 year without a re-entry permit
- Not keeping U.S. ties (no home, no tax filings, closed accounts)
- Assuming a driver’s license or other ID can replace your Green Card or passport — it can’t
- Waiting until the last minute to apply for a re-entry permit
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, early planning and clear proof of U.S. ties are the two simplest ways to prevent problems with airlines and CBP and avoid stressful secondary inspections.
What happens during U.S. re-entry (CBP)
CBP officers verify your identity and your status as a lawful permanent resident. They look at how long you were abroad and whether you still live your life mainly in the U.S.
- If you were away for many months—or appear to have moved your life overseas—expect extra questions.
- Officers may ask for:
- U.S. tax returns (recent years)
- Job letter, pay stubs, or business records
- Property records or lease agreements
- Evidence of immediate family in the U.S.
Secondary inspection is common for longer trips. It is not necessarily a denial; it’s a deeper review. Be polite, answer clearly, and show your documents.
Policy changes and what they mean in 2025
A presidential proclamation in June 2025 placed travel bans on citizens of 19 countries. Green Card holders are exempt and may travel and return to the U.S.
However, if you’re a national of a restricted country, follow official updates and talk to a lawyer before long trips, because rules can evolve and case-by-case exceptions may apply. Recent enforcement trends also show increased CBP scrutiny of residency ties for longer absences.
Quick decision guide
- Trip under 6 months? Carry Green Card and passport; keep ties active.
- Trip 6–12 months? Prepare extra proof of ties for re-entry.
- Trip over 12 months? Apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave.
- Green Card expiring within 6 months? File Form I-90 now and avoid travel delays.
Next steps
- If your trip may last close to a year or more, start your Form I-131 re-entry permit plan early.
- If your Green Card is near expiration, file Form I-90 and wait for proper proof before traveling.
- Keep strong ties: home, taxes, bank accounts, job, and family connections in the U.S.
- If your situation is complex or you’re from a country under the 2025 proclamation, consider legal advice before you go.
Travel should be a chance to see family, handle business, or take a break — not risk your status. With the right documents, smart timing, and steady U.S. ties, you can leave and return with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Green Card holders can travel safely by preparing documents, renewing early, and proving U.S. ties. File Form I-90 or I-131 when needed, avoid absences over a year without a re-entry permit, and expect CBP questions. Early planning, valid passport, and evidence of home, taxes, and job prevent re-entry problems.
