How to Travel With an Expired Green Card

An I-551 stamp in your passport acts as a temporary green card allowing you to re-enter the U.S.

Making an international trip while your green card has expired can be a daunting experience. To ensure that you are able to re-enter the country, you will have to provide customs officials with the proper documentation that shows you are at least in the process of renewing your expired green card.

Things You'll Need

• Valid passport
• Evidence of filing for I-90
• I-551 stamp

Instructions

1. Fill out USCIS form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. You cannot receive a green card renewal without filling out this form. Keep the official receipt/processing papers that the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services sends you.

2. Check your passport to make sure that it will still be valid during the period in which you intend to travel. You will not be able to re-enter the U.S. with both an expired green card and an expired passport.

3. Look up your local USCIS office and schedule an INFOPASS appointment. Bring your expired green card, valid passport and I-90 application documentation. Here you will be able to receive an I-551 stamp in your passport, which acts as a temporary green card allowing you to re-enter the U.S.

4. Gather all aforementioned immigration documents and keep these with your passport at all times. This will make it easier for you to show the customs officials upon your re-entry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not wait until the last minute to submit the I-90 or get the I-551 stamp, as USCIS processing and appointment times vary widely.

• Be prepared to spend extra time at customs when re-entering the U.S. The officials may have questions to ask and will want to look over your papers thoroughly.

References

• Lawyers: Travel with Expired Green Card and Pending I-90

Resources

• USCIS: I-90 Form
• US Immigration Support: Form I-551