vivid291

Hello all!

After a year and a half of being away from home, I’m trying to go back to the U.K. at the end of June. I read online that, as a visa holder, I might have issues getting back into the U.S. when I try to return and I was just wondering if anyone could share their experiences if you’ve travelled during this time.
FYI
I’m a green card holder, employed with a mortgage, fully vaccinated, married to a U.S. citizen.
I’m pretty confident I’d be able to re-enter without issue due to all of the above but just curious to see what other people’s experiences have been before I let myself get too excited.
Thanks in advance!

destone

You’re good to travel:
- You’re a UK citizen therefore you’re allowed back into the UK
- You’re a green card holder therefore you’re allowed back to the US
- You’re vaccinated therefore you don’t need to self-isolate once you return to the US

When you land in the UK you will need to self-isolate for at least 5 days if you opt into the Test to Release scheme (five overall tests, or four if you don’t do Test to Release).

Nutmegger

You will probably be asked why you have been out of the country so long, and what ties to the US you have maintained during your absence, as apparently you did not apply for a re-entry permit. However, in the times in which we find ourselves, perhaps not traveling home to the US in a timely fashion may be looked upon less harshly!

christmasoompa

I read it the other way around - 'home' is the UK, so the OP has been away from the UK for a year and a half, not the US. Could well have read it wrong though!

Nutmegger

OMG! That will teach me to post before my eyes are properly open in the morning! Apologies to all . . .

spouse of scouse

Say three Hail Marys and drink a large coffee.

Nutmegger

That could be my problem -- I've never drunk one cup of coffee in my life (or, dare I say it aloud on BE, tea!!!).

spouse of scouse

How do you kick-start yourself in the morning?! Don't answer that if it's too personal

Nutmegger

Stagger to the computer, play the BE Trivia Challenge, do the New York Times spelling bee, and gradually get the brain in gear!

spouse of scouse

christmasoompa

Sacrilege! Go and stand in the corner please.

Rete

I'll go stand with Nutmegger. I don't drink coffee either but rather a cuppa Tetley British Blend tea.

Rete

You are not a visa holder. From your posting below, you are a US Permanent Resident.


This has nothing to do with your ability to return to the US. You need your unexpired green card and more importantly, you need to return to the US before it is considered that you may have abandoned your residency status, i.e. out of the US for a year or more.

Nutmegger

My mother many times threatened to disown me over just this issue.

scrubbedexpat097

You're forgiven because you are a spelling bee competitor!
Every night before bed I do the Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee and the Easy Sudoku and if I am not sleepy the medium and hard one as well.