International Travel

Permanent residents who depart and remain outside the U.S. for more than 365 contiguous days will lose immigrant status and must undergo the entire petition and immigrant visa process anew if they wish to re-enter the U.S. as permanent residents. Permanent residents who obtain a Reentry Permit from USCIS in the U.S. prior to their departure from the U.S. may remain outside the U.S. for up to 2 years. (Application Form I-131)

For documentary requirements for permanent residents to re-enter the U.S., see U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Expired/Expiring green card

If your green card has expired or is expiring, please read the notice below:

A carrier notification letter was issued on September 13, 1999, notifying all air carriers that they should permit boarding to any bona fide Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) in possession of an expired I-551 with a 10-year expiration date, if the expiration date on the card is the only reason that the LPR would otherwise not be boarded.

Carriers also were informed that this policy does not affect the Conditional Permanent Resident in possession of a Form I-551 with a 2-year expiration date. The Conditional Permanent Resident in possession of an expired Form I-551 must continue to have evidence that the Form I-551 expiration date has been extended.

Re-Entry Permit

If you plan to stay outside of the U.S. for more than one year but less than two years in duration, a reentry permit is needed for readmission. You must be physically present in the U.S. when you file the application (Form I-131). A reentry permit may be sent to a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad for you to pick up, if you request it when you file your application.

Departure from the U.S. before a decision is made on a reentry permit application does not affect the application.

Generally, a re-entry permit is issued for two years from the date of issuance. However, a reentry permit issued to a conditional resident shall be valid for two years from the date of issuance or to the date the conditional resident must apply for removal of the conditions on his or her status, whichever date comes first. There are other exceptions, please contact USCIS for details.

• To check the status of your re-entry permit application with USCIS, see here.
• To check if your re-entry permit has been received by the Embassy in Tokyo or Consulates in Naha or Osaka, see here.

Exceptions for family members of military service members.