Can I travel abroad after my green card’s validity period has passed?
Hello, it’s been over 10 years since my green card’s validity period. I’d like to know if there’s now a problem with my green card eligibility.
Do I need to reapply for a green card? Also, if I simply renew the green card card, how long does that take? I have circumstances requiring me to leave the country soon, and I’d like to know if I can travel abroad while the green card’s validity period has expired.
First, even after 10 years pass on your green card’s validity period, your green card eligibility itself does not change. It’s simply that the card’s validity period has expired.
This is similar to how, even if your driver’s license expiration date has passed, you don’t have to retake the driving test. You can rest assured about that.
Also, since renewing a green card card typically takes about 4 months, if you need to leave the U.S. during that window, we recommend going to the InfoPass website to make an appointment, visiting a USCIS office, and having a temporary one-year valid green card stamp placed in your passport before you leave. When you apply for the card and go in for fingerprinting, they’ll also affix a one-year valid sticker on the back of your card. Typically, about 4–6 months after fingerprinting, your new card arrives by mail.