How To Get a Travel Document for a Green Card Holder? An Overview

Published May 21, 2024

As a US green cardholder, you have the right to live in the United States and to travel outside it. Yet, certain types of travel can harm your permanent residency. To protect yourself, you may need to get a travel document.

This topic is vital yet not discussed. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about travel documents for green card holders. Let’s get started.

What Is a Travel Document for a Green Card Holder?

A travel document for green card holders is an acknowledged reentry permit, similar to a passport. It is a mini booklet with an identification page and pages for entry/exit stamps and visas.

It is specifically designed for US green card holders to guard their status. As we’ll discover later, certain types of travel can put one’s status as a permanent resident at risk. For one, if you leave the US for six months or longer, you risk abandoning your green card. A reentry permit establishes a legal presumption that you do not intend to disclose your green card.

Why Do You Need a Travel Document for Green Card Holder?

There are three main reasons you would require a travel account as a green card holder:

• Departing the US for six months or longer/frequent travel
• Departing the US for a year or longer
• Cannot get a passport from a country of citizenship

1. Leaving the US for six months or longer/frequent travel

If you leave the US for six months or longer or travel outside the US frequently, you are deemed to be interrogated at the border by immigration officers upon your return.

Immigration officers are investigating to see if you’ve abandoned your status as a permanent resident. You can do this intentionally or unintentionally; it will be anchored based on your intentions when leaving the US.

A reentry permit can protect you by crafting a legal presumption that you have no intention of abandoning your lawful permanent residence.

2. Leaving the US for a year or longer

If you leave the US for a year or longer, your green card is no longer valid as an entry account to reenter the US.

If you do not have a reentry permit and leave the US for a year or longer, you must apply and get approved for a special visa. It is the so-called returning resident visa (SB-1 Visa).

3. Cannot get a passport from a country of citizenship

A reentry permit is a small booklet that resembles a passport. It has an ID page with your picture and blank pages for stamps.

If you can’t get a passport from your country of citizenship, many countries permit you to use your reentry permit as a passport. You can acquire stamps on your reentry permit, just as you would on a passport.

What Are the Requirements To Get a Travel Document for Green Card Holder?

There are five main requirements to secure a travel document for a green card holder (reentry permit)

• You must be a lawful permanent resident or a conditional lawful permanent resident
• You must have the intent to leave the United States temporarily
• You must file a Form I-131 and affirm supporting documents
• Your Form I-131 must be filed when you are physically present in the US
• You must attend a biometrics appointment

What Documents Are Needed To Apply?

• Form I-131, application for travel document
• Copy of your green card
• Two passport-style photos
• Some type of evidence of your ties to the United States, i.e., driver’s license, utility bills

How Long Is a Travel Document for Green Card Holder Valid For?

A reentry permit is generally valid for two years from the date issued. It is meant for permanent residents who intend to stay outside the United States for more than one year but less than two years. The permit helps prevent the assumption that they have abandoned their permanent residence.

What Is the Process of Getting a Travel Document for a Green Card Holder?

1. File Form I-131, application for travel document

The first step is to complete Form I-131, available on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

2. Pay the filing fee

Form I-131 has a filing fee. Check the latest fee on the USCIS website, as payments can change.

3. Collect necessary supporting documents.

You will need to assemble supporting documents to submit with your application. These may include:

• A copy of your Green Card (Permanent Resident Card)
• Two identical passport-style photos
• Any other documents that support your application or reason for needing the travel document

4. Submit your application

Once you have completed the form and collected all necessary documents, you can file your application.

5. Attend biometric appointment

After filing your application, you may receive a notice to put in an appearance for a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC). At this appointment, you will provide fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature to verify your identity and complete background checks.

6. Wait for decision

After submitting your application and completing the biometrics, you must wait for USCIS to process it.

7. Receive your travel document.

If your application is approved, you will receive your travel document. This document, often referred to as a reentry permit, will let you reenter the United States after traveling abroad, helping to ensure that you do not face difficulties with maintaining your permanent resident status.