green card travel to other countries

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International Travel as a Permanent Resident

In general, you will need to present a passport from your country of citizenship or your refugee travel document to travel to a foreign country. In addition, the foreign country may have additional entry/exit requirements (such as a visa). For information on foreign entry and exit requirements, see the Department of State’s website .

If seeking to enter the United States after temporary travel abroad, you will need to present a valid, unexpired “Green Card” (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card). When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States. For information pertaining to entry into the United States, see U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s webpage .

Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status. A general guide used is whether you have been absent from the United States for more than a year. Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence.

If you plan on being absent from the United States for longer than a year, it is advisable to first apply for a reentry permit on Form I-131 . Obtaining a reentry permit prior to leaving the United States allows a permanent or conditional permanent resident to apply for admission into the United States during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Please note that it does not guarantee entry into the United States upon your return as you must first be determined to be admissible; however, it will assist you in establishing your intention to permanently reside in the United States. For more information, see the Travel Documents page.

If you remain outside of the United States for more than 2 years, any reentry permit granted before your departure from the United States will have expired. In this case, it is advisable to consider applying for a returning resident visa (SB-1) at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. An SB-1 applicant will be required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and will need a medical exam. There is an exception to this process for the spouse or child of either a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad on official orders. For more information on obtaining a returning resident visa, see the Department of State’s webpage on returning resident visas .

Additionally, absences from the United States of six months or more may disrupt the continuous residency required for naturalization. If your absence is one year or longer and you wish to preserve your continuous residency in the United States for naturalization purposes, you may file an Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes on Form N-470. For more information, please see the Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements page.

If you lose your Green Card or reentry permit or it is stolen or destroyed while you are abroad, you may need to file a Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) . This carrier documentation will allow an airline or other transportation carrier to board a lawful permanent resident bound for the United States without the carrier being penalized. For more information, please see the Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) page.

More Information

• Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants (PDF, 3.57 MB)
• How Do I Get a Reentry Permit? (PDF, 667.32 KB)
• I-131, Application for Travel Document
• I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

Other USCIS Links

• Green Card Resources
• How Do I Help My Relative Become a Lawful Permanent Resident? (PDF, 577.38 KB)
• How Do I Renew or Replace My Permanent Resident Card? (PDF, 550.19 KB)
• "How Do I" Guides for Permanent Residents

Compare U.S. green card paths

Traveling internationally as a green card holder here’s what you need to know.

By Annie Blay

Leaving and reentering the U.S. as a green card holder is relatively straightforward for short trips. If you plan to leave the U.S. for an extended time, there are a few things to consider.

Traveling internationally as a green card holder

The ability to travel internationally with ease is one of the benefits of having a green card. However, if you stay outside the U.S. for too long (more than a year), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will consider your permanent residence status ”abandoned.”

You can generally stay outside the U.S. for up to six months yearly without problems.

If you stay outside the U.S. between six months and a year, you will most likely be subject to questioning from CBP at the U.S. port of entry. However, you should still be able to reenter.

Reentering the U.S. becomes challenging if you stay outside the country for more than a year. You can reenter with a Re-entry Permit (more on below), but you can only apply for a Re-entry Permit from within the U.S.

Another option for reentering the U.S. if you have been gone for more than a year is to apply for a returning resident visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Also consider: staying outside the U.S. for more than a year as a green card holder can slow down the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. You can become a naturalized citizen after 3-5 years as a permanent resident.

However, if you are outside the U.S. for over a year, the 3-5 year timeline will restart. Under certain circumstances, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) may approve a request to preserve residence for naturalization purposes .

Best practices for international travel for U.S. permanent residents

1. If possible, spend at least half of the year in the U.S.

Being physically present in the U.S. for at least six months per year is the best practice for green card holders.

2. Know the risks of long-term travel

Perhaps you need to care for family members in a foreign country, or you want to travel extensively for pleasure.

Regardless of your reasons for travel, there are risks you should understand when considering a lengthier trip.

The best practice is to limit your international travel to under six months, but you can travel for up to a year without needing a re-entry permit.

If you stay outside the U.S. for over a year and do not have a re-entry permit, CPB may consider your green card “abandoned”. In other words, your

Whether you have a re-entry permit or not, staying outside the U.S. for more than a year will also restart the clock for becoming a naturalized citizen.

3. If necessary, apply for a re-entry permit before you leave the U.S.

You cannot apply for a re-entry permit from outside the U.S.

If you know you will be traveling outside the U.S. for more than a year, apply for a re-entry permit before you leave.

To get a re-entry permit, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document .

Upon approval, your re-entry permit will be valid for up to two years.

4. Pack the documents you need for re-entry

Before you leave the U.S., ensure you have all the documents you’ll need to reenter, including a valid passport, green card, and a re-entry permit (if necessary). If you came to the U.S. as a refugee, you will also need to bring your refugee travel document .

5. If you are unsure about your case, check with an immigration lawyer

If you have any doubts about your unique situation, consider speaking to a trusted immigration law firm for legal advice.

Traveling internationally with a pending green card application

If you don’t have an approved green card yet, you may still be able to travel internationally while your application is pending.

How to travel internationally on a dual intent visa with a pending green card

If you are in the U.S. on a valid dual intent nonimmigrant visa (such as H-1B or L-1), you can travel internationally throughout the green card application process.

How to travel internationally with a pending green card if you don’t have a dual intent visa

If you are in the U.S. on a single intent nonimmigrant visa (such as TN or E-3) or have a pending asylum case, you cannot travel internationally while your green card is processed unless you get an Advance Parole travel document .

To request Advance Parole, file Form I-131 when you file your green card application or after the application has been submitted.

It will likely take several months for your Advance Parole application to be approved. If you need it approved more quickly for emergency reasons, you can submit an expedite request.

Upon approval of your Advance Parole, you can leave the U.S. and reenter with the approved travel document.

Frequently asked questions about travel on a green card

Do lawful permanent resident and green card holder have the same meaning?

Yes. Lawful permanent resident (LPR) and green card holder both refer to foreign nationals who hold green cards (also called permanent resident cards).

What is the difference between Form I-485 and Form I-140 ?

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is the green card application.

Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, is a petition that qualifies a foreign national for a green card based on their employment.

Read more about the difference between Form I-1485 and Form I-140 .

Do I need a travel document if I have a green card?

No. If you have an approved green card, you do not need a travel document (Advanced Parole) to leave and reenter the U.S.

Can I travel inside the U.S. with a green card?

Yes, you can travel from state to state with a green card.

How does the U.S. government determine whether you have abandoned your permanent resident status?

There are a few factors the U.S. government considers when determining green card abandonment:

• How long you spent outside the U.S.
• Your purpose for traveling outside the U.S.
• Whether you intend to return to the U.S. as an LPR
• Whether you have continued ties to the U.S. as your permanent home

What happens if you abandon your green card?

If the U.S. government determines that you have abandoned your green card, your green card will no longer be valid. To become a permanent resident again, you must restart the green card application process.

How do I achieve lawful permanent resident status through employment?

Permanent residency eligibility can be based on family, employment, or humanitarian reasons.

To become a permanent resident via employment, you’ll first need to file an immigrant visa application, such as an EB-1A or EB-2 PERM . Your immigrant visa application will include legal forms, a copy of your passport and any prior U.S. visa stamps, and other supporting documents.

Depending on your country of birth, you may be able to file your green card application right away, or you may need to wait until you become “ current .”

After filing your green card application, USCIS will ask you to submit a medical exam and attend a biometrics appointment at a nearby USCIS office.

Customized support on your immigration journey

An experienced immigration attorney can simplify the complexities of immigration law and the green card process. Reach out to our team for customized support on your immigration journey.  

About the author:

Content Marketing Specialist

Before joining the marketing team, Annie helped over 60 Legalpad clients navigate U.S. immigration on the client services team.

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Mobile Apps Directory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers a suite of mobile applications (apps) to help expedite the travel process when entering the United States, help customs brokers facilitate import inspections.

CBP One™ Mobile Application

A single portal for multiple CBP services to streamline your experience.

• Mobile Passport Control

CBP’s MPC app is a free application that can be downloaded from the Apple App store and Google Play and is currently available for eligible travelers to use upon arrival at MPC approved sites.

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For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents

Uscis extends green card validity extension to 24 months for green card renewals.

You may show your expired green card and your receipt notice as evidence of continued status or valid passport that contains a valid USCIS ADIT Stamp or valid USCIS Form I-94 with ADIT stamp, DHS seal, and printed photo of the LPR (aka USCIS Mail Delivery Process) to return back into the United States . NOTE: We have no authority to claim that this is sufficient evidence to gain entry to other countries if/when there is a departure from the USA. 

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling abroad, get the information you need to smoothly navigate your return back into the United States, including:

• Automated Passport Control
• Bringing Food into the United States
• Customs Declaration Form (6059B)
• Planning a Trip to Mexico from the United States
• Planning to Travel Abroad
• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
• CBP Mobile App Directory

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you may be eligible to become a U.S. citizen after five years of becoming a lawful permanent resident, or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen. More information on the naturalization process and available citizenship materials can be found at the Citizenship Resource Center .

Travel Videos for U.S. Citizens

Know before you go video.

Meet Kate and find out all you need to do to make your return to the U.S. easy and quick!

You've Arrived Video

How to streamline the entry process so you can reach your final destination faster.

How to Expedite Your Entry Video  

Innovative new technologies simplify processing international travelers.

Information for Lawful Permanent Residents

• Advance Parole  
• Advance Parole, Reentry Permit, and Refugee Travel Documentation for returning Aliens residing in the U.S.   ​​​​​​​
• USCIS Citizenship Resource Center

Resources for Study Abroad Students

• CBP Shares Travel Tips for Study Abroad Students  
• Study Abroad Students Can Help Protect the Safety of the U.S. Food Supply and Native Animal Species

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International Travel as a US Permanent Resident

What documents do I need to travel outside the United States? In general, you will need to present a passport from your country of citizenship or your refugee travel document to travel to a foreign country. In addition, the foreign country may have additional entry/exit requirements (such as a visa). For information on foreign entry and exit requirements, see the Department of State’s webpage at   www.travel.state.gov . What documents do I need to present to reenter the United States? If seeking to enter the United States after temporary travel abroad, you will need to present a valid, unexpired “green card” (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card). When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States. For information pertaining to entry into the United States, see U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s webpage at   www.cbp.gov . Does travel outside the United States affect my permanent resident status? Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status. A general guide used is whether you have been absent from the United States for more than a year. Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence. What if my trip abroad will last longer than 1 year? If you plan on being absent from the United States for longer than a year, it is advisable to first apply for a reentry permit on Form I-131. Obtaining a reentry permit prior to leaving the United States allows a permanent or conditional permanent resident to apply for admission into the United States during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Please note that it does not guarantee entry into the United States upon your return as you must first be determined to be admissible; however, it will assist you in establishing your intention to permanently reside in the United States. For more information, see the   USCIS Travel Documents   page. If you remain outside of the United States for more than 2 years, any reentry permit granted before your departure from the United States will have expired. In this case, it is advisable to consider applying for a returning resident visa (SB-1) at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. An SB-1 applicant will be required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and will need a medical exam. There is an exception to this process for the spouse or child of either a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad on official orders. For more information on obtaining a returning resident visa, see the Department of State’s webpage on returning resident visas at   www.travel.state.gov . Additionally, absences from the United States of six months or more may disrupt the continuous residency required for naturalization. If your absence is one year or longer and you wish to preserve your continuous residency in the United States for naturalization purposes, you may file an Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes on Form N-470.

Edited November 16, 2019 by Captain Ewok

NOTE: The above information does not address the specific requirements for any given case and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

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• US green card holder visa free countries

38 VISA-FREE countries for US Green Card holders in 2024

Travel insurance quote form, do you want to insure trip cost as well as the health of the traveler, please click here to buy travel insurance for quarantine coverage, travel insurance with trip protection coverage - highlights, trip cancellation.

Reimbursement for loss of pre-paid, non-refundable payments.

Medical evacuation

Transportation to or between hospitals as needed.

Reimbursement of food and lodging expenses due to delay in travel.

Lost baggage

Pays sum for lost or delayed luggage by airline.

Medical expenses

Covers cost of treatment for sickness or injury during your vacation.

Travel medical insurance with no trip protection - Highlights

Health care expenses.

Covers medical costs for sickness or accidents during travel.

Doctor visit

Covers cost of clinic or doctor visit.

Pharmacy drugs

Expenses from doctor prescribed eligible medications.

Repat of remains

Return of moral remains to home country or local burial.

Importance of travel insurance for Green card holders

Traveling while exciting, usually involves some risk. The high cost of health care and unexpected travel emergencies makes good travel insurance invaluable. The cost of travel insurance typically costs around 5% of the total trip cost, and is easily worth the investment given the value it provides. US Green card holders traveling both within and outside of the US borders need the best travel insurance as regular US health insurance provides little health insurance coverage when you are outside US borders.

US residents traveling within the US but beyond the radius of 100 miles from their residence are eligible for domestic travel insurance along with for all overseas travel for which there is international travel insurance.

International travel has been severely disrupted due to the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, hurricanes and extreme weather conditions, shortage of staff in airlines and airports, long airport security checks, delayed or cancelled flights, lost or delayed baggage, Coronavirus sickness and Quarantine requirements.

All of these factors often result in forced changes to travel plans often resulting in huge financial loss, especially if there is an expensive vacation planned with connecting airline tickets, hotels or cruise bookings. Buying the best Cruise travel insurance is recommended for cruise vacations.

Sometimes there are situations like work related problems, travelers or family members health conditions, that bring in change in travel plans that are outside of the traveler’s control. Travel insurance with cancel for any reasons coverage for such situations and provides complete flexibility in travel plans to cover the trip itself.

While traveling along with the investment in the journey itself, the most important part of the travel is the health of the traveler. One can buy US travel insurance which focuses on the investment on the trip costs, or travel health insurance which is designed more for the health of the traveler.

All of these expenses can be covered by the best US travel insurance. US travel insurance plans offers coverage to minimize the traveler’s expenses especially since US Medicare and other domestic health insurance provide little or no coverage outside the US borders. Travel insurance is crucial and becomes the main insurance coverage for US citizens when they lack other health insurance.

Visa free countries for US Green card holders

A US green card not only lets you reside in the US but also provides you with VISA-FREE access to many countries and territories. Currently, there are about 38 VISA-FREE countries for US green card holders.

A US green card is a pathway to a US passport. While you wait for your US passport, your US green card is already making your current passport strong. Not as strong as a US passport but quite strong. You will gain 38 additional VISA-FREE countries.

Why are there VISA-FREE countries for US green card holders?

The need of buying travel insurance.

• Financial Protection : Travel insurance safeguards you against unexpected expenses that may arise during your trip. It covers a wide range of scenarios such as trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage, and even emergency evacuation. These incidents can result in significant financial burdens, and having travel insurance ensures that you are protected and reimbursed for eligible expenses.
• Medical Emergencies : Travel insurance often includes coverage for medical emergencies, which is crucial when visiting another country. Even if you have health insurance in the US as a green card holder with access to great healthcare benefits, they may not fully cover medical expenses incurred abroad. Travel insurance can cover medical treatments, hospitalizations, medications, and emergency medical evacuation, offering peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected illnesses or injuries.
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption : Life is unpredictable, and sometimes you may need to cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or family emergencies. Travel insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable trip expenses, such as flight tickets, accommodation, and prepaid activities. This helps minimize financial losses and allows you to reschedule or plan another trip without significant financial setbacks.
• Lost or Delayed Baggage : Travel insurance often covers the loss, theft, or damage of your baggage and personal belongings. If your luggage is delayed, travel insurance can provide coverage for essential items you need to purchase during the delay period. This ensures you are not left stranded without necessary clothing or toiletries while waiting for your baggage to be returned.
• Ease of Buying : Buying travel insurance is very easy, convenient and accessible on American Visitor insurance . We offer the plans of the best US travel insurance companies and Green card holders can easily compare different plans, coverage options, and prices. You can customize your policy based on your specific needs and travel destinations and the application process is simple, with instant quotes and quick issuance of insurance documents.

Can all Green Card Holders travel abroad without a visa?

International travel using your Green Card is limited to countries that grant the same privileges to U.S. Green Card holders as they do to American citizens. Essentially, if a country's visa policy designates U.S. citizens and permanent residents (Green Card holders) as visa-exempt, you can travel there with your Green Card.

• Countries that are mandatory for Visa
• Best Travel medical for Green card holders
• Covid travel insurance for Green Card holders

However, most countries will consider your nationality (i.e. your passport) when you travel, so, If a visa is usually required for your nationality to visit a specific destination, then you will need a visa even if you have a Green Card.

38 VISA-FREE countries for US Green Card holders

North america.

• US territories

Central America

South america.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

Middle East

• United Arab Emirates
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Anguilla (British Territory)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bermuda (British Territory)
• Bonaire (Dutch Territory)
• Cayman Islands (British Territory)
• Dominican Republic
• Sint Maarten
• Turks and Caicos (British Territory)

Travel insurance for green card holders

Senior citizen travel insurance.

Travel medial insurance for a senior citizen green card holders.

Pre-existing conditions travel insurance

Compare best pre-existing condition coverage for green card holders.

Annual travel insurance

Annual travel insurance for individuals who take multiple trips within a year.

Factors that determine the cost of US health insurance for green card holders

Age of the green card holder.

The cost of US health insurance is directly proportional to the age of the green card holder. The older the green card holder and greater will be the cost of the US health insurance.

Types of US Green card holder travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance which provide exhaustive coverage are more expensive than fixed benefit travel insurance.

Medical maximum coverage and deductible options

The price of medical insurance is directly dependant on the maximum medical coverage and inversely proportional to the deductible of the plan chosen.

Region of coverage

Travel insurance for US Green card holder depends on the coverage region. The cost for health insurance for the United States is most expensive.

Duration of US visa insurance for Green card holder

The longer the duration of medical insurance required, the higher will be the cost.

Best green card insurance - FAQ's

01. how many countries can you visit with a us green card.

A US green card not only lets you reside in the US but also provides you with VISA-FREE access to many countries and territories. Currently, there are about 38 visa free countries for green card holders.

02. Which are the plans ideal for US green card holders?

Patriot America Plus and Patriot Platinum America can be used by green card holders as long as they maintain a residence outside the US. These plans offered by IMG are specifically designed for short term travel to USA. The policy covers "acute onset of pre-existing conditions" up to the maximum of the plan purchased for persons under 70 years of age.

The company recently added the benefit of copays of $25 for urgent care centers and $15 for walk-in clinics which are paid INSTEAD of the deductible each time these facilities are used. Persons under 70 years of age can get up to $1 million maximum coverage. These plans also covers COVID19 illness up to the maximum of the policy.

INF offers two fixed benefit plans namely INF premier insurance and INF standard insurance and two comprehensive benefit plans namely INF Elite Network insurance and INF Traveler USA insurance . Green Card holders can buy INF plans as long as they have a residence outside the US.

03. Can a green card holder intending to reside permanently in the US going forward buy the INF plans? Can they put down an US address?

Yes. INF insurance s provides coverage for many green card holders, especially those who are above age 65. INF insurance plans also offer ancillary benefits such as dental and telemedicine which are usually separate policies under domestic US health insurance. Following are the list of US travel insurance plans:

• Fixed benefit or Limited coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Coverage for Pre-existing conditions

04. Can green card holders buy Patriot America plus insurance?

Patriot America Plus and Patriot Platinum America plans are based on the primary residence country that the member lists on the application. The Green Card holders can buy Patriot America Plus insurance for coverage in the US, as long as their primary residence is outside the US. There is no set amount of time they have to purchase.

However, if they establish a permanent residence in the US, they are not eligible. So if they have a home (purchased or renting) here in the US, they can’t get our coverage. Provided they are eligible, if/when they submit a claim for treatment in the US, we will ask for their proof of residency in another country (renters agreement, bills to that address, etc) Just something showing that they live anywhere else.

05. How long can an INF plan be renewed? This is important since Green card holders are not eligible for Medicare for 5 years after they enter the US?

Green Card holders can enroll in INF plans initially for up to 1 year at a time. They can then renew their policy. There is no "term limit" for INF plans.

06. Can non citizens get Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare, you must have worked in the US for 40 quarters (10 years) or have a Green card for at least 5 years.

07. Can a green card holder already in the USA buy INF plan?

They must go through special membership approval for INF Elite / Premier / Standard / Traveler USA for Greencard holders.Green Card holders can buy INF plans as long as they have a residence outside the US.

08. Can a new immigrant in the US buy INF plans?

Yes, they can buy INF travel insurance.

09. Can a green card holders buy INF insurance?

Yes, they can buy INF travel insurance as long as they have a residence outside the US.

10. Can a green card holder get medical insurance?

Yes, Green card holders can get the medical insurance that we offer if they have a permanent address outside the US. Green card holders can get medical insurance quotes and buy the insurance on our website. The short term medical insurance will cover unanticipated medical conditions, but will not cover preventive care and regular treatment for pre-existing conditions. Getting a medical insurance quote is easy by providing the age of the Green card holder and the dates that they need the insurance coverage. We display the different medical insurance for Green card holders and you can compare the different plans based on price as well as the coverage benefits. After choosing the best Green card holder insurance for your needs, you can complete the application online and buy it using a credit card. The policy will be emailed immediately after completing the transaction.

11. Do Green card holders need health insurance?

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) had made it mandatory for all US residents to have health insurance, however the compulsory insurance requirement has been waived and it is now no longer mandatory to have health insurance. However, given the very high cost of US healthcare, where a regular Doctor’s consultation can take hundreds of Dollars, and Hospitalization overnight can involve thousands, or even tens of thousands of Dollars, it is very risky to be living in the US without any health insurance. Green card holders can buy the health insurance on American Visitor Insurance if they do not have group health insurance from any employer, or if they are not yet eligible for US Medicare or for other domestic health insurance. The medical insurance for Green card holders that we offer will however not cover preventive care and has limited coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

12. Why American visitor insurance?

American Visitor Insurance works with reputed US travel insurance providers to give green card holders in USA a wide range of health insurance options. We have nearly two decades experience in understanding the diverse requirements of new immigrants and green card holders in US and in offering appropriate medical insurance options to them.

Our licensed dedicated customer support team provide service at all times helping customers find the most appropriate green card health insurance for their needs as well as guide them when using the insurance in the event of a medical or travel emergency.

We also provide answers to all health insurance for green card holders questions, reviews of different products, testimonials for customers as well as provide an user friendly US health insurance comparison tool where green card holders can compare different products based on price as well as the coverage benefits. All of these tools help green card holders make an informed decision while buying US health insurance.

13. Do US green card holders need visa for Europe?

US green card holders may or may not need a visa to travel to Europe, depending on their nationality. Schengen visa requirements depend on the nationality of the traveler and not on his residence, so the US Green card has no bearing on the Schengen visa requirements. However, if one needs the Schengen visa, one of the requirements of the Schengen visa application is travel insurance. Green Card holders can buy Schengen visa insurance on American Visitor Insurance as mandated by Schengen consulates. However, even if one is not required to apply for a Schengen visa, it is still prudent to buy good international travel insurance given the high cost of healthcare when traveling in Europe.

14. Can All Green Card Holders Travel Abroad Without a Visa?

No, not all green card holders can travel abroad without a visa, while green card holders have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, they still need to follow the visa requirements of their destination country. Some countries allow visa-free entry to US green card holders based on bilateral agreements or other factors, but other countries may require a visa or travel authorization before entry. It's important to check the visa requirements of the country you're traveling to before you plan your trip. Irrespective of whether one needs to apply for a visa or not, it is important to buy good international travel insurance to be safe and have a good trip when traveling outside the US.

15. Where Can Green Card Holders Travel Without a Visa?

There are many countries which offer visa-free travel for US green card holders. These include Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and many other countries listed here. However, it's important to note that visa-free access is not an absolute right, and countries may change their visa policies at any time based on their national interests and security concerns.

16. Can Everyone Travel to Mexico with a Green Card?

US Green card holder will need a valid passport and green card and may need to obtain a Mexican visa depending on their purpose and length of stay. It's important to check the Mexican government's website or consult with an immigration attorney before planning a trip. Irrespective of whether one needs to apply for a Mexican visa or not, it is important to buy the best US travel insurance to be safe and have a good trip when traveling to Mexico.

17. How many days can a green card holder stay outside US?

Green card holders can stay outside of the USA for up to 6 months without losing their permanent resident status. If however, they plan to stay longer, they should obtain a reentry permit. However, other factors may impact their ability to reenter the US after an extended absence.

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with US visa [2024 edition]

Updated: February 10, 2024 723 Comments

Yes, you read it correctly. Travel 53 countries and territories VISA-FREE with US visa.

I always encourage travelers from developing countries to get a US visa at some point. It opens up doors to many other countries. More and more countries are offering visa exemption with a valid US visa. This list is growing fast.

If you are worried that the VISA-FREE list for your passport is just too small, then get a US visa. It will add about 53 countries to your VISA-FREE list. This is how you give more “power” to your “powerless” passport.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Visa requirements change constantly but we make every effort to keep the information accurate and up to date. We provide links to official sources wherever necessary, so you can conduct your own due diligence to verify the visa requirements before planning your trip. We shall not be held liable for any damages incurred as a result of using the information in this article. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.

Why do countries offer visa exemption to US visa holders?

Reason 1: strict screening.

US visa application has a very strict screening process. A US visa is also one of the most difficult visas to get. If you have a US visa, then you were screened pretty well already. Meaning, you do not have a criminal history or any illegal immigration intentions.

Reason 2: Strong ties to your home country

US visa application also makes sure you have strong ties to your home country. This is to avoid illegal immigration. If you were to stay illegally anywhere, you could have stayed illegally in the US itself. So, having a US visa reassures them that you have no intention of remaining in their country illegally.

Reason 3: Financial reasons

Developing countries do not have the infrastructure or the money to screen applicants. If you were already screened by a country like the USA, there is no need to screen you again. In order to have a screening process that is as foolproof as the US, costs a good chunk of money.

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Which US visas are eligible?

Depending on the country, any of the below US visas can be used.

• US Tourist/Business Visa (B1, B2, B1/B2)
• US Work Visa (H1, L1)
• US Study Visa (F1, J1)
• US Transit/Crew member Visa (C1, D, C1/D)

Refer to each country below for permitted US visa types. Some countries require the US visa to be multiple-entry and have been used at least once to travel to the US.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

RELATED: 38 Countries you can travel VISA-FREE with US Green Card in 2023

North America

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Permitted US visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry non-immigrant US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2, F, M, J, H and L only
• Entry granted: 180 days
• Visa is EXEMPT but must apply for Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before arrival
• Applicable to air travel only
• Official source: IRCC, Canada – News Release May 01, 2017 and News Release June 06, 2023
• Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted US visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas
• Entry granted: Varies depending on the itinerary
• US visa must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Passport must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration, Mexico

Personal experience: I have entered Mexico with a US visa many times by air, land and sea. I was rarely asked any questions. When I was asked any questions, it was mostly about how long I planned to stay in Mexico. I was always given a 180-day entry.

03. United States (of course!)

• Includes the US territories: US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam
• Excludes the US territories: American Samoa (American Samoa has its own immigration rules and does not honor US visas )

Personal experience: I have lived/worked in the US on an H1B visa for more than 8 years. I have also entered the US on my B1/B2 visa many times. I was always given a 6-month entry.

RELATED: 40 Countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2023

Central America

• Entry granted: 30 days
• Official source: Embassy of Belize in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience: I entered Belize from Mexico at the seaport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the port took about 5 minutes. I was asked how long I’ll stay in Belize. I was given a 30-day entry.

05. Costa Rica

• Permitted US visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2, C1/D, D, F1, J1, H1 and L1 only
• B1, B2, B1/B2, C1/D and D visas must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• F1, J1, H1 and L1 visas must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official Source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience: I entered Costa Rica at San Jose International Airport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport was quick. I was given a 30-day entry.

I have also entered Costa Rica from Nicaragua by land with my India passport and US visa. Immigration procedures at the land border took about 10 minutes due to long lines. I was asked to show my hotel reservation. I was given a 30-day entry.

06. El Salvador

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Papua New Guinea
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 90 days total in the entire CA-4 zone (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua)
• An entry fee of 10 USD will be charged if entering by air
• If you have already entered Guatemala or Honduras, you can enter El Salvador from Guatemala or Honduras by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement
• Official source: IATA Travel Centre

Personal experience: I entered El Salvador from Guatemala by land with my India passport and US visa. There are no immigration checkpoints at El Salvador and Guatemala land borders. No entry stamp was issued.

07. Guatemala

• Côte d´Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• US visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• If you have already entered Honduras or El Salvador, you can enter Guatemala from Honduras or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per the CA-4 Border Control Agreement.

Personal Experience: I entered Guatemala from Mexico by land with my Indian passport and US visa. It took about 10 minutes at immigration. They had to look up the visa requirements to verify if I was eligible to enter on my US visa. I was asked to pay 20 MXN as an entry fee even though there is no official entry fee.

I have also entered Guatemala from Honduras by land with my India passport and US visa. It only took a couple of minutes at immigration. No entry fee.

08. Honduras

• Cote d’Ivoire
• South Sudan
• If you have already entered Guatemala or El Salvador, you can enter Honduras from Guatemala or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per the CA-4 Border Control Agreement.

Personal experience: I entered Honduras from Guatemala by land using my India passport and US visa. I was asked where I was going and how long I’d stay in Honduras. I had to pay a 30 GTQ entry fee and give my fingerprints. The immigration process took about 5 minutes.

I have also entered Honduras from El Salvador by land using my India passport and US visa. I was asked where I was going and how long I’d stay in Honduras. I had to pay a 3 USD entry fee and give my fingerprints. The immigration process took about 15 minutes due to several people on a Tica bus.

09. Nicaragua

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Congo, Dem Rep of
• Congo, Rep of
• Sierra Leone
• Timor-Leste
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL (VOA)
• VOA fee is 50 USD, payable in cash in USD only, valid for 30 days, single-entry
• Besides the VOA fee, there is a 10 USD entry fee, a 2 USD land border migration fee (for land border only) and 1 USD municipality tax (for land border only) (payable in USD only)

Personal experience: I entered Nicaragua by land from Honduras using my India passport and US visa. I was asked about my profession and monthly income. I had to pay a total of 63 USD ($50 VOA fee, $10 entry fee, $2 land border migration fee, and $1 municipality tax) to enter. The immigration process was slow and it took about 45 minutes.

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted US visas: All valid USED multiple-entry US visas
• US visa must have been used at least once to enter the US before
• Passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Official source: Embassy of Panama in the USA

Personal experience: I entered Panama at Panama City International Airport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration process took about 5 minutes. I was given a 90-day entry.

RELATED: 38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa in 2023

11. Anguilla (British Territory)

• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official source: Anguilla Tourist Board, entry requirements

12. Antigua and Barbuda

• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

14. Bahamas

• Eligible Nationalities: Indian passport holders only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas

15. Bermuda (British Territory)

• US visa must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Passport must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Official source: Government of Bermuda

16. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

17. british virgin islands (british territory).

• Official source: British Virgin Islands Tourism

18. Cayman Islands (British Territory)

• Entry rule: Must arrive directly from the US
• Official source: Cayman Islands Customs and Border Controls

19. Curaçao

20. dominican republic.

• Permitted US visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas, except transit (C1, C1/D)
• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must pay a departure tax of 20 USD before departing. If arriving by air, the departure tax is included in the airfare.
• Official source: Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic
• Entry rule: A tourist fee of 10 USD must be paid on arrival at the airport

22. Jamaica

• Official source: Immigration Department of Jamaica

23. Sint Maarten

24. turks and caicos (british territory).

• Official source: Ministry of Border Control of Turks and Caicos

RELATED: 51 non-Schengen countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa in 2023

South America

25. Argentina

• Ivory Coast
• Marshall Islands
• São Tomé And Príncipe
• Solomon Islands
• Permitted US visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2, J1 and H1B only
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE) online before arrival
• AVE fee is 200 USD, the processing time is up to 20 working days, valid for 3 months, multiple-entry
• US visa must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Department of Immigration of Argentina
• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival

27. Colombia

• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for at least 180 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia

Personal experience: I entered Colombia at Bogota International Airport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport was quick. The number of days was not marked on my passport but I figured that it was a standard 90 days.

• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

RELATED: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

29. Albania

• Entry rule: US visa must have been used at least once to enter the US before
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania

30. Armenia

• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but you are eligible to apply for Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

31. Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities, except Kosovo
• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina

32. Georgia

• US visa must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

Personal experience: I entered Georgia at Kutaisi International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport took a while as Georgia immigration is difficult to deal with. I was given a 90-day entry.

I also entered Georgia via train from Armenia with my Indian passport and US visa. Again, immigration was a headache but I was given a 90-day entry.

33. Moldova (Newly Added)

• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for the intended period of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

34. Montenegro

• Official source: Government of Montenegro

35. North Macedonia

• Entry granted: 15 days
• US visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6-month period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia
• US visa must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
• Algeria (those aged 15-18 and 35-65)
• North Korea
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but you are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 43 USD, validity is 180 days, and single-entry only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

Personal experience: I entered Turkey at Istanbul International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. I applied for my Turkey e-Visa before my travel to Turkey. The immigration procedure at the airport was quick. I was granted a 30-day entry.

If you hold a US visa and are eligible to apply for a Turkey e-Visa, follow this step-by-step guide to apply for Turkey e-Visa . This step-by-step guide has instructions and screenshots to help you fill out the application, pay the visa fee and download your approved e-Visa.

38. United Kingdom

• Entry granted: 24 hours only (Transit Without Visa)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to request a 24-hour entry at London (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) airports
• Must be traveling to or from the US only
• Must arrive and depart by air only
• Must hold the boarding pass for the onward flight
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or the next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer

RELATED: How to book flight tickets with 24 hour FREE cancellation on Expedia – A step-by-step guide

Middle East

39. Bahrain

• Entry granted: 14 days or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Bahrain eVisa
• Single-entry VOA fee is 5 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry VOA fee is 12 BD, valid for 3 months, entry up to 30 days
• Single-entry eVisa fee is 9 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry eVisa fee is 16 BD, valid for 1 month, entry up to 14 days
• For VOA, the US visa must be valid for the entire stay in Bahrain
• For eVisa, the US visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Bahrain eVisa Portal

40. Jordan (Newly Added)

• Congo, Dem. Rep. Of
• Guinea Bissau
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Jordan eVisa
• Official source: Jordan E-Visa
• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVisa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVisa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but you are eligible to apply for an A3 Visa online on the Hayya Portal
• A3 eVisa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• US visa must be valid on the day of A3 eVisa application
• Official source: Qatar Tourist Board

43. Saudi Arabia

• Permitted US visas: Valid USED multiple-entry US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2 only
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Saudi Arabia eVisa
• VOA or eVisa fee is 300 SAR, valid for 1 year, multiple-entry (plus service fee and insurance fee)
• Official source: Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority

44. United Arab Emirates

• Entry granted: 14 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at UAE airports
• VOA fee is 100 AED, valid for 14 days, single-entry only
• Official source: UAE Government Portal

Personal experience: I entered the UAE at Sharjah International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The VOA and the immigration procedures at Sharjah airport were quick. I was given a 14-day entry.

RELATED: 5 ways to get proof of onward travel for your next trip

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all international airports
• VOA fee is $25 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• US visa must have been used to enter the US at least once
• Official source: Egypt Tourism Department

46. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• US visa must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal

• Permitted US visas: Valid multiple-entry US RESIDENT visas such as H, L, F, J, etc.
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for Japan eVisa
• eVisa fee is JPY 3,000, valid for 90 days, single-entry only
• Must submit proof of residence to prove that you reside in the US
• Must show the visa issuance confirmation via the eVisa website on your phone at the immigration (Prints and PDFs are not accepted)
• Must enter Japan by flight only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

48. Kyrgyzstan (Newly Added)

• Entry granted: 7 days
• US visa must be a long-term visa issued for 3 or more years (US visas issued for less than 3 years are not accepted)
• After entering Kyrgyzstan this way, you can only reenter Kyrgyzstan again after 21 days.
• IMPORTANT: This information is not available in IATA/TIMATIC yet, your flight may denied your boarding
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

49. Malaysia (Currently Suspended)

• Entry granted: 120 hours (5 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Transit Without Visa (TWOA) at the VOA counter
• TWOA is free of charge, valid for 120 hours (5 days), single-entry only
• TWOA is available at Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA1 and KLIA2 terminals) only
• Must be in transit to reach the US as the destination. Must hold a confirmed onward eTicket or original boarding pass to the US within 120 hours. (Exception for longer-term pass holders such as work visa, student visa, permanent resident, etc. who can depart to any third country)
• Issuing of TWOA is at the discretion of the immigration offices at Kuala Lumpur Airport
• Official source: High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi, India

50. Philippines

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

Personal experience: I have entered the Philippines 4 times so far at Manila International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport was always quick. I was always given a 14-day entry.

51. Singapore

• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

52. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except these 23 countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from the US through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience: I entered South Korea at Seoul International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport took a bit longer as the officer had to verify visa requirements. The officer verified my onward ticket to the US which was in 21 days. I was given a 30-day entry.

• Permitted US visas: All valid/expired used/unused multiple-entry US visas, except transit (C1, C1/D)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED US visa, the visa must have expired in the last 10 years only
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Personal experience: I entered Taiwan at Taipei International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. I registered for my ROC travel authorization certificate a few days before my travel to Taiwan. I was given a 30-day entry (entry was 30 days when I traveled but currently it’s only 14 days).

There you have it! List of 53 countries and territories you can travel visa-free with US visa. If you don’t have a US visa, it’s time to apply for one and add another 53 to your list of VISA-FREE countries.

Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) that offers visa exemption for US visa holders? Let me know in the comments below.

Change history: For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Can Green Card Holders Travel Outside the U.S.?

• By Immigration Direct
• June 2, 2022
• Immigration Articles

Table of Contents

As a green card holder, leaving the U.S. to travel abroad is a huge perk of being a permanent resident. However, unforeseen circumstances could arise, leaving you to travel outside the U.S. for extended periods of time or even leave you stuck outside the U.S., unable to return back for countless reasons.

This begs the question of how long can a green card holder stay outside the U.S. Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question. Luckily, this article will focus on everything a green card holder needs to know, before traveling outside of the U.S.

Determining Your Eligibility

The good news is that if you are a permanent resident by way of a green card, you are allowed to travel outside of the U.S. at any given time. Ultimately, a green card is just another document to help prove a legal residence in the U.S. and will also allow you to leave and re-enter the country easily, similar to any other U.S. resident.

Mistakes on your USCIS application forms can lead to rejection, denial, or delay in processing your application. Prepare your application safely and securely using Immigration Direct’s online immigration software to eliminate costly mistakes. Our software provides you with easy-to-understand instructions to prepare and also access to other services to file your application correctly. Get Started Now .

There are a few travel documents required for green card holders to fill out before a trip, which will be explained more in the sections below.

Steps to Be Followed Before Traveling

If you are traveling outside the U.S. briefly, your permanent resident status will not be affected. As a permanent resident, travel restrictions aren’t as strict. However, it’s important to note that as a green card holder, you can leave the country as many times as you wish, but are not allowed to stay abroad for more than a year.

If you do intend to stay outside the U.S. for longer periods of time, it’s mandatory for you to apply for a re-entry permit prior to your trip. To get reentry permit to the U.S., file I-131 Form, Application for Travel Document . In some cases, upon re-entry following many months abroad, it can be determined that you have abandoned your permanent residence or did not intend on making the U.S. your permanent home, leaving customs to revoke your green card.

How Long Can a Green Card Holder Stay Outside the U.S.?

A green card enables you to work legally in the country, live in the country as a permanent resident, and travel outside of the country, similar to any other U.S. citizen. However, if a green card holder stays outside of the country for any amount of time longer than one year, they will lose their green card.

This is likely the case in almost all scenarios. But as extenuating circumstances arise, new questions are brought to light. For example, can green card holders travel back to the U.S. during COVID if they have been abroad for over a year?

Unfortunately, there are no new rules outlined for situations such as this, and at the current time, there is no clause that will automatically allow re-entry if you are stuck abroad due to covid. However, the requirements for re-entering the U.S. after an extended time abroad are sometimes flexible.

Staying Outside of the U.S. for Too Long

When it comes to green card travel, it’s allowed, but regulations are apparent. Below, we will go over the requirements and documents needed to travel without any re-entry setbacks.

Requirements for Re-Entry

Upon re-entry into the country after time abroad, it is solely up to the customs officers if you are allowed back in or not. When re-entering the country, you will present all green card holder travel documents for a customs inspection.

Likely, you will be asked questions about your travels, and your life in the U.S. Ultimately, your ties to the U.S. will be tested. If you are someone who holds a job in the country, owns land and property, or has local bank accounts, you are viewed as someone who has strong ties, which will make your re-entry back into the country easy.

Note: If you hold an expired old reentry permit you need to apply for the new one. The reentry permit cannot be extended. If your reentry permit was lost, destroyed or stolen, intimate this information on your application while applying for new permit.

If the customs officer doesn’t believe that you are living in the country or that you don’t have strong enough ties, they may:

• Take your green card away. If this is the case, you will need to appear in an immigration court. From there, you must present your evidence and all ties you have to the U.S., in order to prove that you did not abandon your permanent residence while spending extended time aboard.
• Ask you to forfeit your green card. In this situation, the customs officer will urge you to give up your green card, and return back to your home country.
• Give you a serious warning for future travel, but allow re-entry. In some cases, the customs officer will allow your re-entry but make sure to emphasize the importance of remaining in the U.S. more frequently and limiting future travel.

180-Day Portability Rule

As stated above, there are certain documents that are required for green card holders to show to customs upon re-entry. But, you may be asking, what is considered a travel document for a green card holder?

Simply put, the documents that are typically required for green card holders to present while coming back into the U.S. include:

• A re-entry permit
• Your passport
• A green card

Additionally, proving that you have strong ties to the U.S. will include showing bank account information, property ownership, and proof of a legal job. If in the case there is a recent career change, the 180-day portability rule will apply.

This rule states that if an individual has already submitted an application to adjust their residency status under one job, they are able to change careers within the same field, and not have to worry about losing their green card. Additionally, showing all necessary documentation that the 180-day portability rule mandates will ensure smooth re-entry into the U.S.

Do You Have to Return to the U.S. Every Six Months of Travel?

The short answer to this question is no. However, if you are traveling outside of the U.S. for extended periods of time, you must obtain the proper documentation for re-entry.

Only traveling outside the country for periods of time under six months will help your permanent residence status and reduce questioning at customs when re-entering. Additionally, it’s important to know your exact dates of travel.

If you’re wondering how to get travel history as a green card holder, you can access all the information needed online. All you need to provide will be:

• Your full name
• Your passport number
• Your birth date
• Your original country of citizenship

The Procedure to Return to the U.S. After Traveling Abroad

Even though, as a legal green card holder, you have the right to travel abroad freely, it does not mean that re-entry is automatically granted. Prior to traveling outside of the U.S. on a green card, there are the necessary travel documents to fill out in order to re-enter the U.S.

Valid Entry Documents

Here are the necessary documents for a green card holder to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter with ease.

• Your passport from your native country: Even though you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you will need to hand in your original passport to customs in order to re-enter.
• Your valid green card: You will be expected to show your valid, and unexpired green card to customs upon re-entry. In the case where you haven’t received your physical green card yet, you are allowed to present an I-551 stamp in your passport to customs in its place.
• A re-entry permit : This permit is only required for extended trips abroad. Generally, you will need to apply and prepare this pre-travel for all trips that are longer than a year.

Applying for a Re-entry Permit

Listed above are required documents to obtain if planning to travel outside the U.S. for extended periods of time. Even if you aren’t outside of the U.S. for as long as a year, you can still be denied entry if you don’t apply for a re-entry permit.

The question of how many months a green card holder can stay abroad varies, but in general, travel greater than a year and one day is grounds to have permanent residency taken away.

What to Do if Your Green Card Expires While Traveling

Holding an expired green card while traveling outside of the country will cause issues, and sometimes, even delay re-entry while arriving at customs. Additionally, re-entering with an expired green card might lead to significant fines and various immigration problems.

In order to re-enter the U.S. with an expired green card, there are a few ways to acquire proof of permanent residence without your physical green card:

• Completing and filing Form I-90 : This form is known commonly as a simple application to replace a permanent resident card, and costs around $540. This is made payable to the USCIS and will be approved or denied depending on the case within two to four weeks.
• A receipt of acceptance from your I-90 form: If your form gets approved, you will receive a receipt in the mail. From here, you will need to schedule an appointment with the USCIS at your earliest convenience.
• Attending an appointment with USCIS: You will need to appear at your local USCIS office. Be sure to bring with your most recent green card, any required forms, and the evidence of urgent need. Some approved urgent need documents include airline tickets, doctors’ letters, or death certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Travel While Waiting for My Green Card Renewal?

Simply put, yes, you can travel while waiting for your green card renewal. The USCIS can give you temporary proof of status, which is a sticker placed in your passport that will extend your green card’s validity for as long as a year. This sticker will ensure swift entry back into the U.S.

2. What Happens if a Green Card Holder Stays Out of the Country for More Than One Year?

Living abroad, or traveling outside of the U.S. for more than a year, may result in the loss of your green card. Of course, each case will be different, but the longer you are outside of the U.S., the harder it will be to re-enter.

Currently, with the pandemic onsetting many travel issues for those abroad, re-entry to the U.S. due to COVID has been weighing on people’s minds. Even though there hasn’t been any new announcements regarding extended travel outside the U.S. on a green card due to COVID, an SB-1 Returning Resident Visa can sometimes be applied for to make re-entry a bit smoother.

When it comes to common questions like, “Can I travel while waiting for my green card renewal?” or, “What is traveling with a green card like?” speaking with a skilled immigration lawyer can be of great help.

With temporary green card travel restrictions and the global pandemic making things difficult for those traveling abroad, there are always updates and new regulations to abide by. Luckily, our team can provide you with the support you need and any paperwork that is required. Contact us today for more information.

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Bureau of consular affairs, electronic diversity visa, applicant entry system: 12.10.1, edv aes: 12.10.1, electronic diversity visa program.

The entry period for the DV-2025 Diversity Visa Program was between October 4, 2023 and November 7, 2023. Entries are not being accepted at this time.

DV Entrant Status Check

2025 entrant status check.

DV-2025 Entrants may enter their confirmation information through the link below starting at noon (EDT) on May 4, 2024. The DV-2025 registration period opens on October 4, 2023, and closes on November 7, 2023 12:00 PM EST. DV-2025 Entrants should keep their confirmation number until at least September 30, 2025.

2024 Entrant Status Check

DV-2024 Entrants have until September 30, 2024 to check the status of their entry through this website. The DV-2024 registration period was from October 5, 2022, until November 8, 2022.

Click the link below to check DV-2025 and DV-2024 Entrant Status.

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Diversity Visa Instructions

What is a diversity visa?

The Department of State administers the Diversity Visa (DV) immigrant visa program, which is an annual program for immigration to the United States. Up to 55,000 immigrants can enter the United States each year from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

How do I apply?

Applying is a multi-step process with strict deadlines. You should read about  the entire process on the Diversity Visa Program webpage  before you start the free, online application. The DV-2025 Program Instructions explains in detail who is eligible and how to complete the first step of applying for the program.

Important Notices

Diversity Visa 2024 Applicants : All DV-2024 diversity visa program applicants must be found eligible for, and obtain, their visa or adjust status by the end of fiscal year 2024 (September 30, 2024).

Beware of fraud and scams . Some websites and emails attempt to mislead customers, posing as providers of official U.S. government information. Read our Fraud Warning .

Complete your own application. The online entry application is easy and free .

The processing requirements below are for the DV-2025 program.

DV-2025 Program: Online Registration

DV-2025 Program: The online registration period for the DV-2025 Program begins on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4) and concludes on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5).  Submission of more than one entry for a person during the registration period will disqualify all entries for that person. 

DV-2025 Program Instructions

The English version of the DV-2025 Program Instructions  in PDF format is the only official version.  Unofficial translations in additional languages will be added to this webpage as they become available.

Note: As indicated in the instructions, for the purposes of eligibility some countries include components and dependent areas overseas.  If you are a native of a dependency or overseas territory, please select the appropriate country of eligibility.  For example, natives of Macau S.A.R should select Portugal, and natives of Martinique should select France.

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38 Countries that U.S. Green Card Holders Can Travel To Visa-Free

There are several advantages to having a United States Green Card. First, with a Green Card, you can legally work and stay in the country permanently if you like. But that is not all. It also grants you the opportunity to travel to other countries without the need to take the time and effort to apply for a visa the same way that U.S. citizens can.

Are you interested in obtaining a U.S. Green Card? For assistance and to learn more about how you can obtain your U.S. Green Card, the Atlanta citizenship attorney at Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc.

Green Card Travel Benefits  

American citizens have a wide variety of countries that they can visit without having to be approved for a visa beforehand. There are currently over 180 countries that allow this privilege, meaning American citizens have options when it comes to globetrotting.

Despite not having the exact same privileges in all countries that American citizens do, Green Card holders still have several options. In fact, being a U.S. Green Card holder means that you can travel to as many as 38 countries around the world without a visa requirement, and Green Card holders can also travel to all U.S. territories.

If you are a Green Card holder, the first thing you should do when you are planning on visiting a specific country is to check the visa policy of that country to see if you can get in without having to apply and be approved for a visa. Even if you have traveled to a country before that allowed you entry with your Green Card and didn’t necessitate a visa, things can always change. For this reason, it is still a good idea just to do a quick check and ensure that the entry requirements have remained the same.

The list of 38 countries that currently allow Green Card holders to travel without a visa include the following:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• United Arab Emirates
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Sint Maarten
• Turks and Caicos

Now you know that your Green Card will allow you to travel to U.S. territories and currently, the countries listed above. With a U.S. Green Card, you can enjoy more freedom with your ability to move about in and out of the United States as your Green Card also allows you to easily re-enter the U.S. once your travel plans are over.

Speak to an Atlanta Visa Attorney Today  

There are over 30 countries that U.S. Green Card holders can easily travel to without having a visa. Getting a Green Card may be appropriate for your situation and objectives.

For a consultation to discuss your needs and case, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. today at 404-523-3611 . One of our Atlanta, GA, immigration lawyers is here for you and ready to help.

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US Green Card Holders Can Travel to These Countries Visa-Free

Introduction, what is a green card, what countries can green card holders travel to visa-free, how to travel visa-free as a green card holder, the benefits of traveling visa-free as a green card holder, the drawbacks of traveling visa-free as a green card holder, how to get a green card, the different types of green cards, the process of applying for a green card.

If you’re a US Green Card holder, you might be wondering which Countries You Can Travel to without a visa. Here’s a list of visa-free countries for US Green Card holders!

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US green card holders although citizens of the United States, are still foreigners when travelling to other countries. When travelling outside of the US, Green Card holders are advised to check with the embassy or consulate of their destination country to find out what entry requirements exist. In many cases, a Green Card holder will need to obtain a visa in order to enter another country. However, there are a number of countries that allow US Green Card holders to enter without a visa for either business or tourist purposes. The following is a list of some of these countries.

A Green Card, otherwise known as a Permanent Resident Card, is an identification document issued by the United States government to foreign nationals who have been granted permanent residency in the country. The card allows its holder to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and to travel in and out of the country freely. Green Card holders are also eligible for certain government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare.

The great thing about having a green card is that it allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. However, it also comes with a few other benefits, one of which is the ability to travel visa-free to certain countries.

If you’re a green card holder, you can travel visa-free to any country in the world that has a visa waiver agreement with the United States. There are currently 38 countries on this list, including popular destinations like Australia, France, Germany, and Japan.

Keep in mind that while you won’t need a visa to enter these countries, you will still need to meet their entry requirements. For example, most countries will require you to have a valid passport and enough money to support yourself during your stay.

Here is a complete list of countries green card holders can travel to visa-free:

Andorra Australia Austria Belgium Brunei Chile Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland by sydneymak2010 Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) Italy Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal San Marino Singapore Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom Vatican City

As a green card holder, you are able to visit most countries visa-free for short stays. Although the United States offers its permanent residents many freedoms, one of the most common questions we get at Travel Visa Pro is whether green card holders need a visa to travel abroad.

The simple answer is no. If you have a green card, you do not need a visa to travel to any country except for a few exceptions like Cuba and North Korea. However, there are some requirements you must meet in order to travel without a visa. For example, you must have a valid green card and a passport from your country of citizenship. You will also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your trip and that you have a return ticket to the United States.

If you plan on staying in a foreign country for more than 90 days, you will need to get a visa before traveling. However, if you simply want to vacation in another country for less than 90 days, then you can do so without getting a visa. Just keep in mind that you will need to meet all of the requirements listed above in order to travel without a visa.

Green card holders (permanent residents) of the United States can travel visa-free to many countries around the world. The benefits of this are numerous, including the ability to see new places, experience different cultures, and visit loved ones overseas.

There are some restrictions and requirements that come with traveling visa-free as a green card holder, however. For example, travelers must have a valid green card and a passport from their country of citizenship. In addition, they must be able to show that they have enough money to support themselves during their trip.

With these things in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best countries to visit visa-free as a green card holder.

Canada Perhaps the most obvious choice on this list is Canada. Green card holders can stay in Canada for up to six months without a visa. This makes it convenient for those who live in border states like New York or Michigan. And since Canada is such a large country, there’s plenty to see and do there — from the bustling metropolis of Toronto to the majestic Rocky Mountains.

Mexico Another great choice for green card holders looking to travel visa-free is Mexico. U.S. permanent residents can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days without a visa — making it perfect for short trips or extended vacations. And with its abundance of sunshine, sandy beaches, and delicious food, it’s no wonder Mexico is such a popular destination for American travelers.

The Bahamas The Bahamas is another great option for those looking to escape the cold winters of the United States. Green card holders can stay in the Bahamas for up to 30 days without a visa — making it perfect for a quick getaway. And with its crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches, it’s easy to see why the Bahamas is such a popular destination among travelers from all over the world

The United States offers many benefits to those who come and live here, including the ability to travel visa-free to certain countries. However, there are also some drawbacks to this arrangement.

For one thing, green card holders are not automatically granted citizenship in the United States. This means that they can be deported back to their home country if they commit a crime or violate the terms of their green card.

In addition, green card holders may not be able to take advantage of all the benefits that citizens enjoy. For example, they may not be able to vote or serve on a jury. And, they may not be eligible for certain government jobs or benefits, such as Social Security.

Still, green card holders do have the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. And, they can eventually apply for citizenship if they meet all the requirements.

A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a “Green Card.”

The steps to getting a Green Card depend on your individual situation. For example, if you are married to a U.S. citizen or you have an employer that is sponsoring your Green Card, the process will be different than if you are applying for asylum or refugee status.

If you have been sentenced for certain crimes or violate the terms of your Green Card, you could be deported from the United States.

A Green Card allows a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States. There are four different types of Green Cards, each for a different category of worker: -EB-1: Priority Workers -EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees and Persons with Exceptional Ability -EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) -EB-4: Special Immigrants -EB-5: Immigrant Investors

Each category has different requirements that must be met in order to obtain a Green Card. For example, the EB-1 category is reserved for priority workers, such as persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; or certain executives or managers of multinational companies. On the other hand, the EB-5 category is reserved for immigrant investors who make an investment in a new commercial enterprise in the United States.

The Green Card Lottery, also known as the Diversity Visa Lottery, is a program that makes 55,000 permanent resident visas available each year to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The program aims to diversify the U.S. population by making citizenship available to a wider range of people.

To be eligible for the lottery, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. They must have been born in an eligible country and have a high school education or its equivalent. They must also have either two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or education, or pass a risk assessment by the U.S. government.

Once applicants have been selected for the lottery, they can begin the process of applying for a green card. The first step is to submit an application to the U.S. Department of State, which will then conduct a background check and interview applicants who appear to be eligible for the program. If they are found to be eligible, they will be placed into the pool of lottery winners and will be notified when their turn comes up to apply for a green card.

The next step is to complete an online application and submit it along with proof of eligibility and other required documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If everything is in order, USCIS will approve the application and issue a green card, which grants the holder permanent residence in the United States.

If you have a green card, you can travel to any country in the world without having to get a visa in advance. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, you cannot travel to North Korea without first getting a visa. You also cannot travel to Cuba without first getting a permission from the US government.

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How to Travel with a Green Card

A green card comes with several distinct benefits and rights as you settle into the United States as your long-term home. After all, your permanent legal resident status allows you to live and work in the US, not to mention enjoy full protection under the laws of the nation.

But while these benefits are clear, something that remains unclear to many is whether or not you can travel with a green card and if so, what kinds of green card rules and limitations apply to travel. And if you’ve been wondering the same thing, you’ve landed on the right article.

At SimpleCitizen, our mission is to simplify every aspect of the green card process, including how to use your green card once you have it. In this article, we’ll discuss traveling outside the US with a green card, the documentation you will need, and how traveling abroad will affect your chances at naturalization. Let’s get started!

Can I Travel With a Green Card?

Of course you can! However, traveling with a green card requires certain documents and steps you must take to ensure you can return once your travels are complete.

There are two primary documents you will need to travel abroad:

1. Your Green Card and;

2. A passport from your country of citizenship or your refugee travel document permitting travel to the foreign country. Sometimes, countries require visas and as such, you must have this in hand as well for entry/exit purposes.

When you’re ready to return to the United States, you only need to present your valid green card, Form I-551, at the port of entry. Sometimes, officials will request to see your passport or other identifying documentation to grant you reentry into the country.

3. With COVID-19 still in full swing certain countries may have travel restrictions and COVID-19 vaccination requirements or require a negative COVID-19 test result. Be sure that you check the travel rules as you plan your trips to ensure you don’t run into any issues getting in or out of the country. 

What Steps Do I Need to Take Before Traveling?

If you’re planning on traveling abroad for less than one year, there are no additional steps you must take in preparation for your trip. In fact, all you need are the documents mentioned above to ensure you can leave and return to the US.

If you’re planning on traveling for more than one year, there are additional steps you must take before leaving the country. This is because you must demonstrate that you aren’t abandoning your permanent resident status and are planning to return to reside in the United States once again.

For Trips More Than One Year in Length

Should your trip be more than one year, it’s beneficial to file Form I-131 , Application for Travel Document, prior to leaving. This Form allows a permanent resident to apply for a Reentry Permit for admission to the United States after returning from abroad. Doing so eliminates the need for a returning resident visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate and clarifies your intention to return to America after your travels.

Obtaining a Reentry Permit costs $360 plus a biometrics service fee of $85 if you are between the ages of 14 and 79, making the total fee $445. Please note that the Reentry Permit doesn’t guarantee your admittance to the country. While it will help, officials will also consider factors such as:

• Have you maintained family and community ties in the U.S. while abroad?
• Have you filed your U.S. income taxes as a resident?
• Have you maintained a U.S. mailing address?
• Do you have a valid driver’s license in the U.S.?
• Do you own property or run your own business in the U.S.?
• Have you applied for U.S. Citizenship?

Questions like these directly affect your chances of being allowed back into the country after a year abroad. Immigration officials are simply looking to see whether or not you still have the intention of living in the United States permanently.

For Trips More Than Two Years in Length

If you’re planning on remaining outside of the United States for more than two years, a Reentry Permit granted before your departure will no longer be valid when you return (these Permits are only valid for two years). As such, you should apply for a Returning Resident Visa, SB-1, at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

You should apply for this Visa at least three months in advance of your travel (or as soon as possible) to ensure it can be processed in time. To apply for the Visa, you will need:

• A completed Form DS-117, Application to Determine Returning Resident Status;
• Form I-551, Your Permanent Resident Card (green card);
• Your Reentry Permit (if you have obtained one);
• Dates of travel outside the US (airline tickets, passport stamps, etc.);
• Proof of ties to the United States (like those indicated in the section above); and
• Proof that your stay outside of the United States is for reasons beyond your control (medical reasons, employment with a U.S. company, etc.).

Obtaining this Visa will ensure that you can return to the United States after an extended stay abroad. While it is optional, you should consider it a necessity if you’re going to travel for more than two years.

Please note that there are exceptions for Visas and other documentation needs if you’re moving abroad with a spouse for a government job or military involvement.

Does Traveling Affect the Naturalization Process?

If you’re going to be outside of the United States for more than six months, you may affect requirements necessary for naturalization. In fact, there are green card rules for travel abroad. For example, you may not be allowed to travel abroad if you haven’t been physically present in the country for at least 30 months out of the previous five years. This is an example of continuous residency requirements.

Should you not meet requirements like this, you may still be eligible for naturalization. You will need to take additional steps to prove that abandonment wasn’t an abandonment of your resident status to ensure you can remain on the path to citizenship.

If your trip must be more than six months, you may choose to file Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes. This is only available to legal permanent residents looking to leave the United States for employment purposes. The Form costs $330 to file. If you’re unable to pay this fee, you may submit Form I-912 with your application for a fee waiver request.

Simplify Your Travel Abroad With SimpleCitizen

The team at SimpleCitizen believes that your experience living in the United States shouldn’t be complicated. Likewise, you should be able to travel abroad while retaining your legal permanent status. For that reason, we hope you find this article helpful with the information you need to travel with peace of mind.

Want to Learn More About Traveling Abroad?

If you’re looking to learn more about international travel with a green card, check out the links below!

USCIS: International Travel as a Permanent Resident

USCIS: Maintaining Permanent Residency

Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes

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As A US Permanent Resident, Can I Travel with a Green Card and No Passport?

As a US permanent resident, you may be wondering whether you can travel outside of the US with your green card and no passport. The short answer is: maybe .

In this guide, I will discuss how to travel using your green card and no passport by using a reentry permit instead of a passport. I will also discuss the benefits of having a reentry permit.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me directly at [email protected] .

1. What Documents do I Need to Travel Outside of the US?

2. how can i travel with a green card and no passport, 3. what are the requirements to get a reentry permit, 4. how long can i leave the us as a permanent resident, 5. how can a reentry permit help me, 6. what are the limitations of a reentry permit, 7. what are some ways to protect my status as a permanent resident, 8. conclusion.

• As a US permanent resident (green card holder) you are allowed to travel outside of the US.
• To travel outside of the US you will need 3 documents: 1) your permanent resident card; 2) your passport; and 3) any visas that are required by the foreign country you are travelling to.
• The laws of the United States do not require a lawful permanent resident to have a passport to enter the United States. However, you will likely need a passport to enter another country .
• Also, the airline that you’re travelling with may require you to have a passport.
• If you don’t have a passport, I’ll explain how you may still be able to travel below.

Even if you do not have a valid passport, you may still be able to travel using your green card and a reentry permit. Here’s how:

• Many US permanent residents do not have a valid passport from their country of citizenship. In many cases, they are either unable to get a passport or it would be extremely difficult to get a passport.
• In these situations, a lawful permanent resident can apply for a reentry permit .
• A reentry permit is a travel document. It is a small booklet which has an identification page and also has many blank pages for stamps and visas.
• When a permanent resident cannot get a passport from their country of citizenship, a reentry permit can substitute for the passport.
• Many countries allow a reentry permit to be used in-place of a passport.
• The reentry permit can be stamped like a passport and can have visas attached to it like a passport would.
• However, you have to make sure that the country you intend to visit will accept a reentry permit in-place of a passport. This is ultimately up to the country you intend to visit.
• The reason why my answer in the introduction is “maybe” is because whether you can travel without a passport will depend on whether the country you are travelling to will allow you to use a reentry permit instead of a passport.

To get a reentry permit, there are 5 main requirements:

• You must be a US permanent resident
• You must submit a Form I-131 with USCIS with some supporting documentation
• You must be physically present in the US when your reentry permit application is filed and accepted by USCIS
• You must attend a biometrics (digital fingerprinting) appointment in the US
• You must intend to depart the United States temporarily . This means that at the time you leave the US until the time you return, you must maintain the intent to return to the US as your home.
• As a US permanent resident, you can leave the US for up to 1 year and use your permanent resident card (Form I-551) to reenter the US.
• However, once you’re out of the US for more than 6 months, you are eligible for additional immigrant inspection procedures. Immigration officials may question you to determine whether you have abandoned your green card based on your absence. Below, I’ll explain how a reentry permit can help in this situation.
• If you’re outside of the US for longer than 1 year, your green card (Form I-551) can no longer be used to reenter the US. You will either need a valid reentry permit to reenter the US or you will need to apply for a returning resident visa (SB1 visa).

A reentry permit has 3 main benefits:

• Travel Document : If you cannot get a passport, you may be able to use your reentry permit instead of a passport (if the countries you plan to visit will accept the reentry permit as a valid form of travel document).
• Protect Status : As I mentioned above, if you leave the US for over 6 months, you are eligible for additional inspection upon your return to the US. Immigration officials are checking if you’ve abandoned your permanent resident status. A reentry permit creates a legal presumption that you did not intend to abandon your green card.
• US Entry Document : If you leave the US for longer than 1 year, your green card (Form I-551) is no longer valid to reenter the US. A reentry permit is valid for up to 2 years from the day it is issued and can be used to reenter the US as long as it is still valid.
• If you are using a reentry permit instead of a passport, you can only do so if the country you plan to visit accepts a reentry permit as a valid substitute to a passport .
• A reentry permit does not guarantee that you will be admitted to the US. A reentry permit creates a legal presumption that you did intend to maintain your permanent resident status. However, USCIS can still overcome this legal presumption if there is enough evidence.
• If you are leaving the US for longer than 6 months, get a reentry permit;
• Maintain strong ties to the US;
• Filing taxes as a US resident;
• Maintaining a US address;
• Maintaining a valid driver’s license;
• Owning property in the US;
• Owning a US-based business;
• Having a US bank account;
• To the extent possible, maintain records and documents showing that your travel outside of the US was temporary.

As a US permanent resident, you are allowed to freely travel outside of the US. To travel, you usually need your permanent resident card, a valid passport, and whatever visas are required by the country you intend to visit.

While the US does not require permanent residents to have a valid passport to re-enter the US, foreign countries and airlines require you to have a passport.

If you do not have a valid passport and you cannot get one, you may be able to use a reentry permit instead of a passport.

As a US immigration lawyer , I can prepare and file your reentry permit application for you. If you have any questions, or if you’d like my help, please email me directly at [email protected] . I’d be happy to help you.

• Reentry Permit Guide: Everything to Know to Get Your Reentry Permit
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Traveling Outside of the U.S. – Documents Needed for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)/Green Card Holders
• USCIS – International Travel as a Permanent Resident

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Michael Ashoori, Esq.

U.s. immigration lawyer.

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped hundreds of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

Got a question?  Send me an email.

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Which Countries Can Green Card Holders Travel to Without a Visa?

Countries that Green Card holders can travel to without a visa

The balkans, traveling to european countries with a green card, can i travel to the uk with only a green card, do i need a passport if i have a green card, get your us green card photo with passport photo online, visa free countries for us green card holders – wrap up, visa free countries for us green card holders: faq.

Citizens of the US are allowed to fly to 184 countries worldwide visa free. As a result, several countries have granted the same right to those who have lawful permanent resident status. However, foreign nationals residing in the United States who hold a Green Card are allowed to travel without a visa to some non-US countries.

You can only fly abroad with your residence permit if you are traveling to a country that grants equal rights to US residents.

Green Card Photo in 3s!

Take a photo with your smartphone, upload it to the website, we will prepare it as required and send you a digital or printed version. Simple? You can’t get more convenient than that!

Below you can find the list of some countries that Green Card holders can travel to without the need of having a visa.

Traveling to Canada is simple if you have a valid US Green Card.  However, you do need to obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), in other words a permission that grants you access to legally cross the border with Canada.

Once you reach the border of Canada, you will only need to show your eTA to the border agents. You will however, be asked to also present your passport and Green Card as well.

Find out more about Green Card from these articles:

• Can I Travel if the Names on My Passport and Green Card Don’t Match?
• Traveling within the US with Only a Mexican Passport [Your Questions Answered]
• Ensure your Green Card Photo Meets DV Lottery Requirements
• Can You Travel With a Damaged Passport? [Ultimate Guide]
• Passport Validity for Travel to India [2024 & Beyond]
• Passport Expiration Rules for Mexico: When Can You Travel?
• Emergency Travel with an Expired Passport

Similar to Canada, when travelling to Mexico, you will also have to show your passport and your Green Card.

Nevertheless, you do need one of the following to get a Mexico Tourist Card:

• You’ll get one from the aircraft crew if you are traveling by plane.
• Another way is to print your online tourist card and bring it with you.
• Before you fly, you can get one at the Embassy of Mexico in the US
• At the immigration office after your arrival in Mexico.
• If you’re traveling by sea, you can collect it at the port call.
• At the entry point if you are traveling by land.

For Belize, you will need a passport that has been valid for a period of at least 6 (six) months after the end of your stay. You will need a copy of your Green Card that has been notarized, a visa registration form, and evidence of appropriate funds needed for your stay in Belize.

• Virgin Islands of Britain
• Dominican republic

With a Green Card you can visit Costa Rica’s natural parks, beautiful islands and enjoy the tropical weather. A Green Card is all you need in order to travel to Costa Rica. Thus, a visa will not be required.

The necessary documents are:

• a valid passport
• the Green Card
• the booked ticket which indicates the return date.

With a Green Card you can only stay for up to 30 (thirty) days. If you are looking to stay longer then you will be required to apply for an extension.

There are also some European countries that you can visit with a Green Card, one of them being Georgia. You might know Georgia for its splendid wines, but that’s not all you can look forward to when visiting this country. In Georgia, you can visit many beautiful sites, old town streets, parks, and some breathtaking mountains.

A visa will not be required for your visit for Green Card holders. As for the documents, they are similar to those necessary when traveling to other countries: you will need your passport, Green Card, and boarding pass. As a Green Card holder you will be able to stay in Georgia for up to 90 (ninety) days visa free.

The Balkans are an absolutely stupendous area of Southern Europe, including countries like Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. These three countries allow Green Card holders to visit them visa free for a maximum of:

• 90 days within a 180-day period – Albania
• 30 days – Montenegro
• 15 days – North Macedonia.

The upside of visiting Balkan countries is that they’re a lot more affordable than their more mainstream European counterparts such as, for example, France, Spain, or the UK. They have tons of wonderful attractions and absolutely phenomenal views to offer, and they’re also more low-key in terms of tourist traffic. 

Virgin Islands of Britain 

If you are looking for a beautiful place with gorgeous beaches and a place to spend an amazing summer, then these British Islands are definitely a destination you should take a look at.

Besides your Green Card you will need your passport, return flight ticket, and also proof of accommodation on  the islands.

US Green Card holders can stay for a maximum of 30 (thirty) days visa free in the British Virgin Islands.

Curaçao and Aruba

With their amazing swimming spots and underwater life, these two countries have a lot to offer to their tourists.

All you’ll need is your Green Card, and you’ll be good to go and have an amazing time on any of the picturesque beaches of Curacao and Aruba.

Singapore is yet another wonderful location that Green Card holders can visit without a visa. However, US permanent residents will only be able to enjoy Singapore visa free for 4 (four) days unless they happen to be happy holders of either a Chinese or Indian passport.

If they fulfill the specified criteria, Chinese and Indian citizens are qualified for the Singaporean Visa Free Transit Facility:

• travel by sea or air
• have a legitimate plane ticket or ferry ticket booked for the next 96 hours from Singapore
• are granted a Green Card.

Peru is yet another state where you can travel with a Green Card only if you are an Indian or Chinese citizen.

You have probably heard of Peru’s destinations such as Machu Picchu or other historical sites, sometimes filled with mysteries that have yet to be uncovered. If you are obsessed with history and archaeology then Peru can offer just that.

The documents you need are: a passport,  boarding pass, and your Green Card. Once you reach the entry point, you will be granted a tourist card which will serve as evidence of how long you plan to stay in Peru. You cannot stay for longer than 90 days.

Green Card holders’ travel to Europe is limited to only a few non-EU countries, as some European states provide a visa waiver to Green Card holders where you will not be required to have a valid visa to travel.

It all depends on which country’s passport you hold. For instance, if the citizens of your country of origin are normally required to apply for a Schengen visa (or any other European country’s tourist visa) prior to a Euro trip, then as a US Green Card holder you will still be required to apply for such a visa.

If you do obtain a Schengen visa, you will be allowed to stay in the Schengen Area (which includes 26 countries) for a period of up to 90 days.

Unfortunately, you cannot. Even if you do have a US Green Card, you will still be required to obtain a UK visa to travel to the UK.

The UK visa program requires residents of many nations (which are mostly EU and Commonwealth nations) to be granted visa-free access for up to six months. You would have to request a regular UK visitor visa if you don’t come from any of the  countries listed in the visa exemptions.

The short answer is yes . A valid passport will be required regardless whether you have a Green Card or not.

You won’t be allowed to fly abroad if you don’t hold a valid passport. When you cross a country’s border, whether by land or air, the border officials will most likely ask for your passport and probably a visa or residency permit.

In certain situations,  you won’t be asked to show your passport at the border. Only citizens of neighboring countries or regions with an arrangement of some kind in place (such as Schengen Area citizens) do not need to display a passport.

If you need to get your Green Card photo (or any other document photo for that matter) fast, you can help yourself with our US passport photo tool to easily get your shot online – Passport Photo Online . All you will need to do is upload a photo for your Green Card and within a few seconds, it will be sent to you via email.

Our AI tools automatically crop the photo to the required size and fix any possible mistakes in the image. You will also be notified right away in case of any errors in your picture, and prompted to retake your shot and upload it again. You won’t be charged for any additional photos you take or upload, just your final, polished picture.

Passport Photo Online app has been recognized by Forbes, National Geographic, Yahoo!, and Glamour, and has served a million users since its inception 7 years ago.

The US Green Card has been known for its many benefits, and one of them is definitely the ability to travel to some exquisite locations around the world visa free.

Some of the visa free countries that you can enjoy visiting as a Green Card holder include Albania, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Peru, and more.

Each one of these countries has their own established maximum period of stay, the shortest one being 4 days (Singapore). Always make sure that you have a valid passport, with a minimum of 6-month validity to be on the safe side.

I am a Green Card holder. Can I travel to Europe visa free?

As a Green Card holder you can visit a couple European countries, including Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. If you’re planning to visit an EU country, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa that will allow you to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.

What countries can I travel to as a Green Card holder?

The visa free countries that US permanent residents with a Green Card can travel to are: Albania, Aruba, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Georgia, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Peru, and Singapore.

As a Green Card holder, do I need a tourist visa to travel to Mexico?

You won’t need a tourist visa to travel to Mexico, but you will be required to obtain a tourist card, which you can either apply for online before your trip, get it on the plane, or upon your arrival in Mexico.

Will I need a visa to travel to Canada as a US permanent resident?

If you have a valid Green Card you won’t need to apply for a Canadian visa in order to travel, however if you plan to cross the USA-Canada border by plane you will have to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

How long can Green Card holders stay in Peru visa free?

Upon your arrival in Peru, an immigration officer will give you a tourist card that will include the maximum amount of time that you can spend in Peru visa free – it will usually be a period of no longer than 90 days.

• [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/

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Ledjan is a graduate in Business Management and Marketing from Epoka University. His proficiency in French adds an international dimension to his professional skill set, increasing our team’s ability to engage with a diverse, global clientele.

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Don’t waste your money while traveling internationally. How to save when going abroad.

• Don't use your debit card to pay for anything but ATM withdrawals.
• Both cash and credit are useful for different transactions.
• You can get foreign currency from your bank, a currency exchange kiosk or an ATM.

Get more news like this delivered to your inbox by signing up for our Travel newsletter here . 

You’re finally taking that big trip abroad.

For as much time and energy you’ve spent saving up and searching for the best deals on flights or cruises, places to stay, and travel experiences, it would be a shame to blow extra money at the last minute. But that’s what you’ll be doing if you don’t use your cash and credit wisely.

“The thing I never, ever, ever recommend doing abroad is (using) your debit card to pay for things unless you're withdrawing money from an ATM,” said consumer savings expert Matt Granite, who’s known as The Deal Guy on YouTube .

Here’s why and what else travelers should know before visiting another country:

Learn more: Best credit cards of 2023

Can you use debit cards internationally?

Yes, but Granite strongly discourages using it to pay for anything but ATM withdrawals.

“You've just given a terminal that you are unfamiliar with access to your bank account with a pin. You've absolutely no idea what happens beyond that point,” he warned. 

Is it better to travel with cash or credit?

“You generally want cash on you, always, in case of an emergency,” Granite said. 

Cash is also useful for gratuities and small purchases. For larger transactions, he recommends credit, provided there are no foreign transaction fees.

“You're more likely to encounter fraud or operators not necessarily giving you what you've paid for when you're in a remote area where you don't know where you are, you don't know who you're dealing with. The potential for a ripoff is a lot higher than where we're on our own territorial ground,” Granite said. “So always use your credit card because if there is a problem, you are not responsible for your purchase. You have coverage. You have fraud investigations. They'll put a hold on a suspicious transaction. You have everything in the world working for you.”

How can I avoid foreign currency transaction fees?

Call your credit card company or look up their policies online before leaving for your trip, and avoid using any cards that charge fees.

How much cash should you travel with internationally?

“I would say that anyone traveling for more than three days in a country should have the equivalent of at least $300 with them,” Granite said. 

He suggests the equivalent of $500 for families, adding that it could be less for destinations where the dollar is strong.

“You always need to say to yourself: ‘What do I do if I need to get from an airport to a hotel to pay for one night of the hotel when my credit card is stolen?” he said. “You need to be able to survive abroad for 24 to 48 hours, where your credit card company can emergency FedEx or DHL your (new) credit card to you.”

Where are US dollars accepted?

Several foreign countries use the U.S. dollar as official currency or tender. They include:

◾ Bonaire , St Eustatius and Saba

◾ British Virgin Islands

◾ El Salvador

◾ Marshall Islands

◾ Micronesia

◾ Timor-Leste

◾ Turks and Caicos

U.S. dollars are also the currency in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. Some businesses in other destinations accept dollars at will.

How to get foreign currency

There are several ways to get foreign currency before and during your trip. You can order foreign currency from your bank for a fee. You can exchange cash at a currency exchange kiosk, though the exchange rate will not favor you. You can also withdraw cash at an ATM at your destination.

“Another trick that I use is if you are traveling and you do have a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees, you can often get very good exchange rates from both chain and boutique hotels to a limit,” Granite said, explaining that the front desk can give you local currency, then add that amount to your hotel bill like a room incidental. “Not all hotels can, but many hotels, specifically in Europe, will be very pleased to do so.”

Should I get foreign currency before I travel?

You don’t need to, but if you want to, Granite said, “Your bank can definitely give you a wonderful experience, provided the U.S. dollar is stronger before you leave.” 

“For example, if you were traveling to Canada, it is 100% in your favor to get the Canadian dollar from the U.S. bank before you travel if the U.S. currency is stronger. But when we're looking at currencies like the British pound, better to do everything when you get to London, not beforehand,” he added. 

Where is the best place to exchange currency?

Many travelers prefer to withdraw from ATMs at their destination for better exchange rates, but there are instances when you may opt for a pricey currency exchange kiosk instead.

“Those booths, they're generally in very well-lit areas. They're very secure. They're often in airports or in the mecca center of a city if you are traveling somewhere where you have concerns over your safety,” Granite said, recalling one of his past trips. “I would have gotten a considerably better rate by going to some of the ATMs that were not in areas (where) I should be walking at certain times of the day. I will gladly take the hit of $15 on a $100 withdrawal for safety.”

Consider how much you take out if you use a currency exchange booth.

“Some people will have the concept of they're going to take a little bit and they're going to find an ATM, and then they're going to be OK,” he said. “But the more you withdraw from those places, the rates are generally more within your favor. And there's generally a maintenance or a convenience fee attached to that one transaction, so you're paying $15 whether you take out $5 or $1,000.”

Can I withdraw money at a foreign ATM?

Yes, but watch out for fees. 

Just like at home, you may be charged usage fees by both the ATM and your bank for withdrawing cash out of network. 

You can avoid or limit those fees by sticking to ATMs within your bank’s Global ATM Alliance , Granite said. You can look up banking partners online before you even leave home. Apps like ATM Fee Saver can help you locate fee-free ATMs while traveling.

Be aware that if your bank account normally limits the number of withdrawals you can make each month before incurring fees, foreign withdrawals also count toward that limit, he warned.

He also reminded travelers that ATMs are legally required to disclose fees on screen.

“If you find an ATM you don't like, you can decline. You can take your card out, and then you can walk a block and go to the next ATM,” he said. “I think a lot of people feel compelled – it's a weird psychological thing – that once your card is in the machine, you have to complete your purchase. That is actually not the case.”

Can you withdraw cash on a credit card?

Yes, but you should avoid it.

“Always use your debit card when you're going to an ATM. The credit card fees are horrendous,” Granite said. “No one will ever have a good experience using a credit card and an ATM, and there should be no reason to do so unless your account is completely empty, and by that point you have other problems.”

He also warned that if your debit card is co-branded with a major credit card company, like Visa or Mastercard, make sure withdrawals are made as debit, not credit.

Do I need to notify my credit card of international travel?

Not necessarily.

“Most credit card companies these days, within the last three to five years, have such sophisticated AI on you, they've already known you've booked your trip,” Granite said. “They've figured out somewhere along the way that you have a flight or you have a tour, or you've browsed on their app, something tied to where you're going, and they know you're going.”

There’s no need to tip in Japan. Here’s what else travelers should know.

Should I pay in foreign currency or USD?

“Always use your credit card in the local currency,” Granite said. “When you put your credit card into a machine to pay for something and it asks you, Do you want to convert? Never convert.”

How to get rid of leftover foreign currency

The easiest way to get rid of extra foreign currency is to spend it.

“You almost never want to convert it back,” Granite said. “If you do end up with too much cash, which we have on trips before, we'll do things like pay for the balance of our hotel using cash.”

Another option is to hold onto the currency if you think you’ll go back to the destination.

“I find that even if you put that cash into an envelope and it sits in the safe, and you go back three years later, I never forget when I have pounds or euros in the safe based on what it took me to get them,” Granite said.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

• Is the Amex Green Card the Best Card for You?
• Benefits and Features
• Annual Fee and Other Costs
• How the Amex Green Card compares
• Frequently Asked Questions

American Express Green Card Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: American Express® Green Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

The Amex Green Card offers strong earning rates for travel, dining, and transit spending. It's also got up to $289 in annual statement credits, which is more than enough to offset its $150 annual fee. However, frequent travelers may prefer a card with stronger travel incentives, such as free airport lounge access and top-tier travel insurance.

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• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable annual fee compared to many other travel rewards cards
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual statement credits with CLEAR and LoungeBuddy won't be useful to everyone
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Maximizing the travel statement credit from the welcome bonus requires $1,000 in spending

The American Express® Green Card might not be as flashy as other premium American Express cards, but it's an affordable starting point for folks who want to start earning credit card rewards for free travel.

American Express Green Card Overview

Normally, the Amex Green Card offers a welcome bonus in the range of 40,000 or 45,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements . But right now, it has a significantly improved offer of 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership and earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases, up to a total of $200 back, made during your first six months of card membership. That's the highest points welcome bonus we've ever seen for the card, not even counting the addition of up to $200 in travel statement credits, but it won't be around for long. This is your last chance to apply for this offer.

This product is by nature a travel rewards card — if you make a lot of travel, dining, and transit purchases, you'll be rewarded with 3 points per dollar. Transit is a particularly rare category, and includes merchants like trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.

And with benefits such as up to $189 in CLEAR Plus credits (helpful for speeding through the TSA airport security line) and up to $100 in LoungeBuddy credits (so you can access airport lounges for free), this is a good starter travel card for occasional travelers.

Here's what you need to know about the American Express® Green Card.

Amex Green Card Rewards

Amex green card welcome bonus.

The Amex Green Card is currently offering 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership and earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases, up to a total of $200 back, made during your first six months of card membership. The points alone are worth around $1,080 in travel, based on Insider's calculation of Amex points value . 

If you're able to max out up to $200 in travel statement credits, you'll come out well ahead and more than make up for the card's annual fee in the first year. However, this credit isn't as straightforward as it sounds — you won't be reimbursed for the first $200 in travel purchases you make. Instead, the credit is a 20% rebate on up to $1,000 in qualifying travel purchases ($1,000 x 20% =$200). If you'd make those purchases anyway, the credit is an easy discount.

How to earn points with the Amex Green Card

The Amex Green Card has a simple and powerful earning structure that fits the lifestyle of a frequent traveler. You'll earn 3 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on the following purchases: 

• Restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
• Travel (including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, and more)
• Transit (including trains, buses, ferries, subway, and more)

You'll earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Because Personal Finance Insider's points and miles valuations peg Amex points as worth an average of 1.8 cents each when redeemed for travel, the earning rate of 3 points per dollar is equivalent to a 5.4% return.

To become an Amex points-earning powerhouse, you can complement this card's bonus categories with other American Express cards . For example, the Amex Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 spent per year, then 1x) and at restaurants.

How to use points from the Amex Green Card

There are myriad ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points , each offering drastically different value.

To get the biggest return for your rewards, you'll want to use them for travel — namely, transferring your points to airline and hotel partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Hilton. For example, you can:

• Transfer 87,000 Amex points to Avianca for a one-way first-class flight to Frankfurt on Lufthansa (a $7,000+ value)
• Transfer 39,000 Amex points to Singapore Airlines for a round-trip flight to Hawaii on United Airlines  (a $500+ value)
• Transfer 120,000 Amex points to Hilton for a weekend stay at the Conrad Bora Bora (a $2,500+ value)
• Transfer 88,000 Amex points to ANA for a round-trip business class flight to Europe on United Airlines (a $3,500 value)

Alternatively, you can use your points to effectively "buy" flights through the American Express Travel portal at a rate of 1 cent each. You can reserve hotels, rental cars, cruises, etc. through the portal, too, but your points will be worth just 0.7 cents each.

Other options (though we don't recommend any of these) include:

• Purchase gift cards with your points, generally at a rate of 1 cent per point
• Pay with points for Amazon purchases and with other stores like Walmart and Best Buy at 0.7 cents per point
• Receive a statement credit for your points at 0.6 cents per point

Amex Green Card Benefits and Features

The Amex Green Card isn't as jam-packed with benefits as similarly priced travel credit cards , but it's got enough to more than offset the card's annual fee each year.

Up to $100 in LoungeBuddy statement credits

LoungeBuddy aggregates most airport lounges worldwide and allows you to purchase a day pass. This is beneficial if you don't already have a credit card with free airport lounge access , and if you don't frequently travel enough to warrant opening one of the aforementioned cards.

Prices for a day pass through LoungeBuddy vary with each location, but day passes can cost as low as $25. If you and a travel buddy want to enter a lounge, you could well get two visits each from this annual statement credit.

Up to $189 in CLEAR Plus statement credits

CLEAR Plus is an expedited airport security program that lets you skip to the front of the TSA line. It also operates at the entrance of some stadiums.

A membership to CLEAR Plus normally costs $189 per year — so a $189 statement credit would lower your out-of-pocket cost to $0 per year.

Modest travel and lifestyle insurance

As with most cards in this price range, you can receive purchase insurance with eligible items. You'll get:

• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Return protection

And because this card is primarily for travelers, it comes with:

• Rental car insurance — This coverage is secondary, so it will pick up what your personal auto insurance doesn't cover.
• Trip delay insurance — When your flight is delayed 12 hours or more, you'll get up to $300 per trip (max two claims per year).
• Baggage insurance — Offers reimbursement in the event of lost, stolen, or damaged baggage.
• 24/7 Global Assistance Hotline — Helpful for various emergencies, such as cash wire transfers, medical problems, etc. (you must be at least 100 miles from home).

Amex Green Card Annual Fee and Other Costs

The Amex Green Card charges a $150 annual fee. But it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees , so it's a great companion when traveling internationally.

The card isn't a good choice if you plan to carry a balance using Amex's Pay Over Time feature, because the card charges interest (See Pay Over Time APR). If you know you've got big expenses coming up you can't pay off all at once, you could save money by opening one of the best zero-interest credit cards with an introductory 0% APR instead.

The card also charges fees for certain types of transactions, including:

• Cash advance fee
• Late payment fee
• Returned payment fee

Compare the Amex Green Card

*on up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 1x

***up to $10 in statement credits per month when you use the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, Goldbelly, Milk Bar, and participating Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.

****you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the U.S.

*****Eligible digital subscriptions include Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal

Amex Green Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Amex Green Card is only worth the annual fee if you will fully use its benefits. The card comes with up to $289 a year in useful statement credits for travel-centric purchases. If you can make use of those (and not simply use them because they're there), the card is worth keeping year after year.

No, the Amex Green Card isn't metal. It's made of plastic, unlike its siblings, the Amex Gold Card and the (extra-heavy) Amex Platinum Card.

The Amex Gold Card has a noteworthy amount of benefits above the Amex Green Card. However, its annual fee is $100 higher at $250. It's well worth the extra money for a higher earning rate on common purchases like dining and US supermarkets, as well as the up to $240 in annual statement credits.

To apply for the Amex Green Card, your credit score should be around 700 or higher to have a chance of being approved. If you're not there yet, take a while to improve your credit — you'll be glad you did, as it will unlock all kinds of amazing credit card welcome bonuses .

Methodology: How we reviewed the Amex Green Card

The credit card team at Personal Finance Insider reviewed the Amex Green Card in relation to other travel rewards cards from Amex and other banks. We considered various factors, including:

• Ease of use — Does the card come with an easy-to-understand earning structure, or are there lots of complicated categories to memorize? Are there multiple options for redeeming rewards?
• Earning potential — We look at the card's welcome offer and ongoing earning, including the usefulness of bonus categories. We also consider if any bonus categories are limited to a maximum spending cap.
• Benefits — Does the card have useful benefits for travelers, and are they worth paying the annual fee for? These could be things like statement credits, discounts, lounge access, and travel protections.
• Annual fee — When there's a high annual fee, is it offset by the rewards-earning potential and card perks? Is it reasonable compared to similar cards?

Here's our full methodology for reviewing credit cards for a closer look at how we calculate our card ratings.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Watch: Marketing leaders have to help their companies keep pace with the rapidly changing worlds of their customers, says Elizabeth Rutledge, CMO of American Express

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What It Would Take to Deport Millions of Immigrants

Donald Trump is calling for the biggest deportation program in American history. The costs and hurdles would be enormous.

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By Miriam Jordan

Miriam Jordan covers immigration for The Times.

When Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, he vowed to build a wall to seal the border and keep criminals from entering the country. This campaign season, his immigration agenda has a new focus: a mass deportation program unlike anything the country has seen.

His party’s platform, ratified at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, promises the “largest deportation effort in American history,” and immigration was the theme of Tuesday’s gathering.

What would it take to deport millions of people? Is it even possible?

How many undocumented immigrants are in the country?

There were 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States in 2022, according to the latest government estimates, and more than eight out of 10 have been in the country for more than a decade. Mr. Trump said during the debate last month that there were 18 million, which is unsubstantiated.

Fleeing political and economic turmoil, migrants from countries like Venezuela have crossed the border in record numbers during the Biden administration.

Who would be targeted for deportation, and how easy would it be to remove them?

Mr. Trump and the Republican platform have made broad declarations but thus far offered scant details about their intended operation.

The former president has suggested that any undocumented immigrant is subject to removal.

The party platform states that “the most dangerous criminals” would be prioritized.

It also said: “The Republican Party is committed to sending illegal aliens back home and removing those who have violated our laws.”

The consensus among immigration experts and former homeland security officials is that logistical, legal, bureaucratic and cost barriers would make it virtually impossible to carry out the mass deportations Mr. Trump seeks in the span of a four-year presidential term.

“It’s enormously complicated and an expensive thing to decide to deport people who have been here years,” said Laura Collins, an immigration expert at the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas.

It would cost “billions of dollars. It would probably take 20 years. It would cause the economy to shrink,” she said.

It would require an enormous influx of resources throughout the enforcement system and billions in new appropriations.

“Even if he had a Congress willing to enact dramatic statutory reforms and appropriate the tens of billions required, there is no way such a system could be fully functional within a four-year period,” said John Sandweg, a homeland security official in the Obama administration.

What other obstacles would there be?

Undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for years have legal protection and the right to due process.

Those who have entered the country unlawfully in recent years have been processed at the border and then released with orders to appear in court for deportation hearings. While their cases are winding through the immigration court, which typically takes several more years, they have the right to remain in the United States.

“Trump would need to triple the size of the immigration court to achieve anywhere near the numbers he is talking about,” said Mr. Sandweg. “Even then, he would need funding to build new courthouses, hire support staff and train judges.”

Decades of underfunding and vast number of asylum claims have exacerbated backlogs.

“An individual must be issued a deportation order; a president couldn’t just override that,” said Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security secretary during the Obama administration. “You would need a change in the law, and Congress would have to be an active partner in this.”

In addition to the cost, a polarized Congress, even one controlled by Republicans, would still have to reach a consensus on the substance of the operation, a daunting prospect considering Congress has failed to overhaul the immigration system for more than two decades.

Are there enough personnel, facilities, planes and other transport for a deportation operation?

During the Trump administration, there were some 936,000 deportations, according to official data. As of February, about 340,000 people had been removed by the Biden administration.

To identify and arrest millions of people in the interior of the country would require tens of thousands more immigration agents, said Ms. Napolitano.

Mr. Trump has said he would enlist the National Guard and other resources in the military to execute his plan.

Local law enforcement could be deputized to identify undocumented people and turn them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has happened in the past in some localities.

But Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Philadelphia are just a few cities that refuse to collaborate with ICE, out of concern such cooperation would promote racial profiling and land immigrants who have committed minor offenses, such as traffic violations, in deportation proceedings.

“You’ll have areas that don’t want to have anything to do with it,” said Michael Neifach, a border security expert who was principal legal adviser to Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the George W. Bush administration.

Currently, ICE agents focus on locating and deporting convicted criminals, such as child molesters and others suspected of being a threat to public or national security.

Some one million immigrants with final removal orders living in the country could be a targeted group.

“Let’s say you find these people. You then have to detain them,” said Mr. Neifach. “How are you going to expand detention in a way that won’t blow the bank?”

Every potential deportee is held in a detention facility, and in the current fiscal year, Congress funded the detention of 41,500 immigrants daily at a cost of $3.4 billion , which would need to increase exponentially.

And many immigrants hail from countries that do not have diplomatic ties with the United States or that refuse to take back their nationals. They cannot be immediately flown out of the country, and the Supreme Court has ruled that people cannot remain detained for limitless periods awaiting removal.

The ICE budget for transportation and deportation in fiscal 2023 was $420 million, and the agency deported 142,580 people that year.

Where is there room for Trump to accelerate the pace of removals?

Another Trump administration could speed up deportations by terminating programs that the Biden administration has introduced.

For example, since 2022, some 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have been allowed to fly to the United States and live and work for two years, provided they have a financial sponsor. Mr. Biden has also allowed nearly 700,000 migrants who make an appointment on a mobile app to cross the border through an official port of entry and receive work permits.

“Trump could flick the switch and revoke it,” said Mr. Neifach. But, he added, many of the migrants could make asylum claims and become part of the clogged courts.

Expedited removal at the border enables the swift deportation of migrants without a hearing, unless they convince an agent that they would face the threat of violence back home, and Mr. Biden in June issued an executive order currently being challenged in court to amplify use of this tool.

Mr. Trump could try to extend it to the interior, though he would likely face court challenges.

Would there be any exceptions among the deportees?

Mr. Trump has not addressed whether he would exercise any discretion, or make any exceptions.

More than one million Americans are married to an undocumented person, and a large share of undocumented immigrants have children who are U.S. citizens.

“When you are talking those kinds of numbers and law enforcement presence, you have to think at the end — what does that do to the atmosphere in the country?” said Ms. Napolitano, the former Homeland Security secretary.

Miriam Jordan reports from a grass roots perspective on immigrants and their impact on the demographics, society and economy of the United States. More about Miriam Jordan

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