US perm. resident travel question....

[syrehund]

What do I need to get out of this country for a week or two? I have no passport and no citizenship status. Just a greencard. Your help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MacBaine]

Did you join a computer discussion forum just to post a travel question? Seems strange... but I can't help you.

 

[sheselectric]

Where were you born? You need to apply for a passport from your country of citizenship. Then based on what that country is, you can determine if you need to get visas to travel to the countries you'd like to visit.

 

I believe you have to get a visa to travel out of the country to a non-U.S.A region, as a permanent resident of the U.S.A.

You aren't covered as citizens are, in other words.

This means you have to have a passport of your nation of origin and go through the usual process to acquire visa for the nation you wish to visit.

I do not claim absolute knowledge on this matter. I'll advise you to seek further information from appropriate authorities.

Ooops! Sheselectric said it in a little more detail. Indeed, it would depend upon the laws of your nation of origin/citizenship, I believe. You might not need visa if your country of origin/citizenship has an agreement with your country of destination that does not necessitate that you travel with a visa there.

 

[hildatk]

As said above, you need a valid passport/travel document to enter the country that you want to visit.

If you don't have one, you can apply for one from your country of citzenship's consulate here in the US. Or you can apply for a Re-entry Permit from the INS. That can serve as your travel document also. Be sure to allow plenty of time for processing. Also check to see if you would need a visa to enter the country you want to visit.

When coming back to the US, your greencard will let you enter. Be sure to line up for the citizen/permanent resident line at the immigration counters. That'll save you some time in line.

So you just need to worry about getting travel document to enter the country you want to go. As long as you have a valid green card, you're fine in the returning department. Hope this helps.

 

[syrehund]

thanks everyone. my travel plans (england, france, germany and norway) are pretty much set for the beginning of july. hildatk, thank you too. i was told that i can obtain a reentry permit within 6 weeks if i pay my tickets through a travel agent. the permit will cost me something like $100 + govnt fees on top of travel costs. can you confirm this? anyone? thanks again.

 

[dbzwukan]

your greencard is only good for when you "return" back to US.

to go to anywhere else, you need your original passport.... and it also depends on what country that's from...
for example, if a japanese citizen, you can come to US without a visa for a couple weeks... but if you're cuban, you'll have to pull teeth from cuban lion to get visa here. different countries have different policy for every other countries...

 

[Shantanu]

I find it hard to believe that you have a greencard, but not a passport. Greencards are for immigrants. Immigrants have passports. There's usually a stamp on your passport that says that you are a permanent resident of the U.S. I have a greencard myself, and I've never heard of anyone having a greencard but not a passport. A greencard is rather useless without a passport.

Is this a real greencard?

 

[syrehund]

if alien registration card is a greencard, then yes.

 

[dbzwukan]

what country are you from? that's the country where you need to get/find your passport for.

 

[Shantanu]

Was it issued by the INS, or did you buy it in downtown Los Angeles?

 

[LukFilm]

<< Was it issued by the INS, or did you buy it in downtown Los Angeles? >>


LOL Or Chicago for $400

 

[syrehund]

left vietnam when i was 4, so i don't know if i can get a passport from a vietnamese consulate. it's a legitimate greencard issued by INS.

 

[Rakkis]

As hildatk said, it allows you to be allowed back into the states when returning from abroad. But to be allowed past customs at another country you need a visa to enter that country. You can obtain one at any of their consulate offices in the US. Some countries might give US nationals permission to enter without one as long as it is for a short time(I think Canada does?).

At any rate, you NEED a passport. I think you need to be a naturalized citizen of the US to get one from here(correct me if I'm wrong, guys). So... I suggest you go to the nearest Vietnamese consulate to get one issued.

 

[syrehund]

<< thanks everyone. my travel plans (england, france, germany and norway) are pretty much set for the beginning of july. hildatk, thank you too. i was told that i can obtain a reentry permit within 6 weeks if i pay my tickets through a travel agent. the permit will cost me something like $100 + govnt fees on top of travel costs. can you confirm this? anyone? thanks again. >>



^bump^ on the travel agent question thanks again!