Re: What are the benefits of a GreenCard when traveling overseas?
 

In general - and as some had pointed out, the passport is what counts.

Whether your entry into a country will require a visa varies. Depends
upon
the country involved. What you can do is google for the embassy of the
country of interest. Most have websites, you should be able to find out
under their consular section.

Most countries (again, not all) will only recognized the passport as
the "acceptable" proof of nationality/citizenship. Some countries
* may * have India as one of their "visa waiver" countries.

It is best to check with their embassy or nearest consulte to be
absolutely sure.


Ramesh Pun wrote:
    > Hi,
    > I was wondering if anyone knew of a website or had some information
about
    > the differences between a Greencard holder and a US passport holder
when
    > traveling overseas?
    > In the US, both the greencard holder and the us citizen are pretty
much on
    > similar footing. Even when traveling to Canada that holds true. But
what
    > about travel to European countries? Or Far East? Or elsewhere?
    > Do those countries treat greencard holders as equivalent to US
passport
    > holders or do those countries look at the greencard holders origin
country
    > and apply the policies applicable to that country?
    > I realize it would be different for different countries. So a pointer
to a
    > website would be helpful.
    > Thanks,
    > Ram.

Re: What are the benefits of a GreenCard when traveling overseas?
 

scotta wrote on 02/23/05 14:14:

    >>With the exception of Canada and Mexico you can't "travel" on a
    >>greencard. You travel to foreign countries with your passport. You
    >>re-enter the US with your green card. No advantages to being a green
    >>card holder in my opinion.
    >
    >
    > Can anyone confirm this? As a South African passport holder I need a
    > visa to travel to Canada. Can I present my Green Card instead and not
    > have to get a VISA?


Yes. Permanent Residents do *not* need a visa for Canada. In general,
they also don't need a visa for Mexico. That can change, though. After
9/11, Mexico for a while required visas for people from certain
countries, even if they had a GC.
A couple years back, Switzerland also started to allow entry of US
Permanent Residents without visa (but only with the actual card, not the
stamp.) I guess their reasoning is that a PR has to live in the US, so
there is no risk of a US PR wanting to stay in Switzerland.

In general, US Permanent Residence is something that has legal value
only within the US. The only worldwide accepted travel document is a
passport. Visa requirements are tied to the passport-issuing country.
Of course, every country is free to accept other documents. Some
countries have decided to waive visa requirements for US PRs, but that
is solely in their discretion and can change at any time, as the Mexican
example shows.
So, it is always best to check with the appropriate consulate before
embarking on travel.

-Joe

Traveling with Albanistanian passport and a green card
 

The green card makes a difference in the following countries:
- Canada
- Switzerland (till they join the Schengen Pact)
- almost all of the Caribbean states and some colonies (BVI, St. Maarten)

Not sure about Mexico - it used to be that you can enter from USA and travel within 20 miles into Mexican territory.

Re: What are the benefits of a GreenCard when traveling overseas?
 

KLM has a great visa section on its web site; it takes into account country
of residence in addition to country of citizenship.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
    > In general - and as some had pointed out, the passport is what counts.
    > Whether your entry into a country will require a visa varies. Depends
    > upon
    > the country involved. What you can do is google for the embassy of the
    > country of interest. Most have websites, you should be able to find out
    > under their consular section.
    > Most countries (again, not all) will only recognized the passport as
    > the "acceptable" proof of nationality/citizenship. Some countries
    > * may * have India as one of their "visa waiver" countries.
    > It is best to check with their embassy or nearest consulte to be
    > absolutely sure.
    > Ramesh Pun wrote:
    >> Hi,
    >> I was wondering if anyone knew of a website or had some information
    > about
    >> the differences between a Greencard holder and a US passport holder
    > when
    >> traveling overseas?
    >> In the US, both the greencard holder and the us citizen are pretty
    > much on
    >> similar footing. Even when traveling to Canada that holds true. But
    > what
    >> about travel to European countries? Or Far East? Or elsewhere?
    >> Do those countries treat greencard holders as equivalent to US
    > passport
    >> holders or do those countries look at the greencard holders origin
    > country
    >> and apply the policies applicable to that country?
    >> I realize it would be different for different countries. So a pointer
    > to a
    >> website would be helpful.
    >> Thanks,
    >> Ram.
    >

Re: Traveling with Albanistanian passport and a green card
 

I called the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix last week and they said..

NO need for Visa visiting anywhere in Mexico if I'm a greencard holder for
stay less than 30 days. Only need to fill out a visitor card. Also, no need
to fill out visitor card either if it is just border crossing like from El
Paso to Juarez on day trip.

Weird but one time I was asked to show my greencard in Narita Airport to
establish that I'm a residence of USA because I just replace my foreign
passport brand new and without any stamps on it. Remember US don't stamp you
out. Still Japan only allowed me 3 days transit pass...

Never been to Switzerland or Canada...

"NeTotChuvak" <member25203@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
    >> scotta wrote on 02/23/05 14:14:
    >> >>With the exception of Canada and Mexico you can't "travel" on a
    >> >>greencard. You travel to foreign countries with your passport. You
    >> >>re-enter the US with your green card. No advantages to being a
    >> >>green
    >> >>card holder in my opinion.
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > Can anyone confirm this? As a South African passport holder I need a
    >> > visa to travel to Canada. Can I present my Green Card instead and
    >> > not
    >> > have to get a VISA?
    >> Yes. Permanent Residents do *not* need a visa for Canada. In general,
    >> they also don't need a visa for Mexico. That can change, though. After
    >> 9/11, Mexico for a while required visas for people from certain
    >> countries, even if they had a GC.
    >> A couple years back, Switzerland also started to allow entry of US
    >> Permanent Residents without visa (but only with the actual card, not
    >> the
    >> stamp.) I guess their reasoning is that a PR has to live in the US,
    >> so
    >> there is no risk of a US PR wanting to stay in Switzerland.
    >> In general, US Permanent Residence is something that has legal value
    >> only within the US. The only worldwide accepted travel document is a
    >> passport. Visa requirements are tied to the passport-issuing country.
    >> Of course, every country is free to accept other documents. Some
    >> countries have decided to waive visa requirements for US PRs, but that
    >> is solely in their discretion and can change at any time, as the
    >> Mexican
    >> example shows.
    >> So, it is always best to check with the appropriate consulate before
    >> embarking on travel.
    >> -Joe
    > The green card makes a difference in the following countries:
    > - Canada
    > - Switzerland (till they join the Schengen Pact)
    > - almost all of the Caribbean states and some colonies (BVI, St.
    > Maarten)
    > Not sure about Mexico - it used to be that you can enter from USA and
    > travel within 20 miles into Mexican territory.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com