Map Exhibits International locations Green-Card Holders Can Go to With out Visas

There are many international locations throughout the globe the place U.S lawful everlasting residents, also referred to as green-card holders, are capable of journey with out making use of for a visa.

Why It Matters

The United States passport has fallen to a file low in rating, nevertheless it nonetheless stays fairly highly effective, permitting Americans to enter greater than 180 international locations with out first making use of for a visa. U.S. green-card holders are additionally allowed to enter a smaller variety of international locations with out making use of for a visa, so long as they nonetheless maintain an eligible passport from their nation of origin.

Travel for green-card holders has turn into tougher President Donald Trump’s second time period, as some lawful everlasting residents have been swept up in his administration’s elevated immigration enforcement. There have been cases of green-card holders getting back from worldwide journey being detained upon their return to the United States if they’ve prior felony data.

What To Know

A U.S. inexperienced card is just not as highly effective as a passport, however it may well nonetheless make worldwide journey simpler for lawful everlasting residents seeking to go to particular international locations, particularly in South and Central America, the Caribbean or elements of Europe. Avoiding visa purposes can save money and time for many who are eligible.

The map under exhibits which international locations permit green-card holders to journey with out a visa, so long as they’ve a passport.

Notably, insurance policies change now and again and there could also be some exceptions for every nation, so individuals are at all times suggested to verify with their embassies or with an immigration lawyer earlier than touring to a different nation to obtain full details about whether or not a visa is required.

Some international locations nonetheless require a visa for green-card holders, however holding the inexperienced card could permit them to extra simply apply for a visa on-line. Others could permit green-card holders to enter visa-free for particular nationalities.

Additionally, green-card holders should not have any points touring to abroad U.S. territories resembling Guam or Puerto Rico as a result of they’re a part of the United States.

Green-card holders are legally allowed to go away the United States, whether or not for enterprise or to go to one other nation, however may have to use for a reentry allow if they’re leaving for an prolonged time period—sometimes a interval longer than a yr.

“Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status,” the web site for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says.

Green-card holders should not eligible for U.S. passports till they turn into U.S. residents.

What People Are Saying

Belize Embassy web site: “U.S. Citizens and Holders of U.S. Permanent Resident Cards/U.S. Multiple Entries Visas do not require a visa to enter Belize.”

Costa Rica Embassy web site: “Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least the length of your stay in Costa Rica. Letters of extension are not accepted. The residence card [Green Card] must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS]. The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features.”

What Happens Next

Although green-card holders could journey internationally, some immigration advocates stay involved about elevated enforcement from the Trump administration and have warned that lawful everlasting residents may face scrutiny upon returning to the U.S. The Trump administration has maintained that green-card holders with no felony previous shouldn’t be involved.