What documents do I Need to Travel Outside the United States? (Lawful Permanent Residents)

Planning a trip outside of the United States requires a great deal of preparation, and often times, a great deal of documentation. For lawful permanent residents (LPR), the documentation and identification requirements outlined by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) for re-entry into the U.S. may come as a surprise. The types of documentation required for re-entry into the U.S. depends upon the duration of travel, airline policies, and other CBP regulations.  

Minimum Requirements

To return to the United States after international travel, a LPR must present a valid green card (LPR card, Form I-551). A LPR does not require a passport to re-enter the United States, though LPRs may need a passport to enter another country outside of the U.S. The lawful permanent resident card does not need to be valid for a certain period of time, as long as the LPR card is valid upon arrival CBP officers will accept a green card as identification for entrance. However, if a LPR returns to the U.S. after an absence of more than one year, the LPR must present a reentry permit, in addition to their green card. Similarly, if a LPR remains outside the U.S. for a period longer than 2 years, they must present an approved returning resident visa upon arrival to the U.S.. The CBP website notes that any LPR outside the U.S. for more than 180 days will be subjected to new inspection procedures. Those with pending adjustment of status (AOS) applications should read here for travel recommendations.

Although CBP does not require a LPR to present a passport upon re-entry to the U.S., airlines have separate documentation requirements. Therefore, we suggest that you always bring your passport as an extra precaution.