Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA > US Immigration, Citizenship and Visas
Reload this Page >

Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Thread Tools
 
Old Jul 23rd 2011, 11:41 pm
  #1  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
diamondgold is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

I made a horrible mistake of not realizing my 10-year Green Card expired a few months ago, and unfortunately I am supposed to leave for a pre-paid vacation in 2 days. As soon as I realized my error I efiled for the i90 and received a confirmation receipt online.
So I have a confirmation that I applied for a renewal
an expired greencard
and a valid UK passport

I leave on Monday, so can't get any customer service help because it is the weekend now., Can I travel with the documents above and then when I reach my vacation destination go to the US Embassy to see if i can get an authorization to board a plane after my 10 day trip is up?

many thanks for any suggestions
diamondgold is offline  
Old Jul 24th 2011, 2:23 am
  #2  
crg
American Expat
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
crg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Originally Posted by diamondgold
I made a horrible mistake of not realizing my 10-year Green Card expired a few months ago, and unfortunately I am supposed to leave for a pre-paid vacation in 2 days. As soon as I realized my error I efiled for the i90 and received a confirmation receipt online.
So I have a confirmation that I applied for a renewal
an expired greencard
and a valid UK passport

I leave on Monday, so can't get any customer service help because it is the weekend now., Can I travel with the documents above and then when I reach my vacation destination go to the US Embassy to see if i can get an authorization to board a plane after my 10 day trip is up?

many thanks for any suggestions
You could seek a transportation letter to get back but shouldn't need one. Technically, the airline is supposed to board you on the way back anyway considering you have a 10yr card, and it's only expired.

Delta airline's online travel document wizard says the expired card is fine, but we all know that dealing with airlines can be a hassle even under the best circumstances. Your mileage may vary.

http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/ti...buser=DELTAB2C

Here's a link to the wizard itself:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...tion/index.jsp
crg is offline  
Old Jul 24th 2011, 3:44 am
  #3  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
diamondgold is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

thank you. I am actually traveling with Delta. I was looking everywhere and seeing conflicting info. Often times it depends on the rep you get but I will print this out and take this to the airport with me on Monday.
diamondgold is offline  
Old Jul 25th 2011, 3:47 pm
  #4  
A I
not even a fake TV lawyer
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 444
A I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud ofA I has much to be proud of
Default Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Not helpful for your current situation but...
Apply for citizenship when you get back, so you will not have this problem again.
A I is offline  
Old Jul 25th 2011, 10:41 pm
  #5  
crg
American Expat
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
crg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond reputecrg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

It's odd that someone can fly a commercial airline back to the US on an expired 10-year green card, but not an expired 10-year passport....
crg is offline  
Old Jul 26th 2011, 3:46 am
  #6  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 90
iray is just really niceiray is just really niceiray is just really niceiray is just really niceiray is just really niceiray is just really niceiray is just really niceiray is just really nice
Default Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Originally Posted by crg
It's odd that someone can fly a commercial airline back to the US on an expired 10-year green card, but not an expired 10-year passport....
This is a tricky one. I suppose because your passport is proving your identity and your nationality. Your green card is of consequence only to US Immigration, save for any legislation that the airline are bound to comply with in terms of who they allowed to board and their admissibility to the US. Given that a 10 year green card holder does not cease to be a permanent resident upon the passing of the expiry date on their card, this is probably why.

It is possible for a UK Citizen to fly to the UK on an expired 10 Year passport. It requires a lot of work, and a lot of understanding on the part of all parties concerned, but it is possible.

What gets me over here is when you can't get in to a bar or buy beer because your State ID or Drivers License is expired.
iray is offline  
Old Aug 6th 2011, 5:44 pm
  #7  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
diamondgold is an unknown quantity at this point
Default UPDATE Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Well the good news is that i went on my trip and as soon as I arrived at my destination I went to the immigration office in the US Embassy. I showed them my expired card, two passport sized photos and my I-90 e-file receipt. Within 30 mins I received 2 transportation letters for the flight back. One for the airline and one for Customs in the United States.

When I returned to the States I had a very nice agent , two additional checkpoints ( but I wasn't charged a fee) and I was through before my baggage even came down the carousel.
diamondgold is offline  
Old Aug 7th 2011, 12:59 pm
  #8  
Just Joined
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21
libra90210 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: UPDATE Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

Originally Posted by diamondgold
When I returned to the States I had a very nice agent
Is that possible?
libra90210 is offline  
Old Aug 7th 2011, 6:52 pm
  #9  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
diamondgold is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Expired green card and need to travel in 2 days

for me it was :-)
diamondgold is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.