Legal Permanent Residents (LPR)
LPR - FAQs
Can I return to the United States with a valid legal permanent resident card if I have been out of the country for more than one year?
You may board the aircraft with a valid I-551 (Permanent Resident Card), but if you have been out of the United States for more than one year, you will require an I-131 (Reentry Permit) to enter the United States, but they are only issued in the United States. Check with the airline to see if they require a transportation letter. If so, schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by e-mailing BaghdadIV@state.gov. When you arrive at the U.S. Port of Entry, Customs and Border Protection will decide whether to admit you and under what conditions if you are not in possession of a Reentry Permit.
What if my legal permanent resident card expires?
Only U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has the authority to renew permanent resident cards. As there is currently no USCIS office in Iraq, we strongly recommend that you return to the United States prior to the expiration of your legal permanent resident card.
Can I travel to the United States with an expired legal permanent resident card (I-551)?
If you have a two-year (conditional) status card that has expired and you do not have a receipt showing you filed an I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) in the United States within the past 6 months, you cannot travel to the United States without obtaining a new visa.
If you have a 10-year card that has expired and you have been out of the United States for less than a year, you may still return to the United States, but you may have jeopardized your resident status. Check with the airline beforehand to see if they require a transportation letter to board you. If so, make an appointment at the Embassy to apply for a transportation letter. You may be subject to removal proceedings upon re-entry into the United States.
If you have a 10-year legal permanent resident card that has expired and you have been out of the United States for more than a year, your legal permanent resident status may be in jeopardy. Please make an appointment at the Embassy to apply for a Returning Resident visa (SB-1). A Consular Officer will ask for evidence that you did not intend to abandon your U.S. residence and did not return to the United States for reasons beyond your control. If you qualify for this visa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may require you to attend immigration proceedings upon arrival in the United States.
Please visit http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information on legal permanent residents.