How to re-enter USA, My "Green card" has no expiration date?‏

[kala_shah_kaku]

One of my relative who had an old green card (with no expiry) was able to enter the US after 10-12 years. I don't have the exact issue date of the green card or for how long was he out of the US but what I know is that he was able to re-enter on an old card. But!!! (read ahead) he was on payroll of his brother for all those years with an active SSN and tax returns. I am also not sure what they checked at the point of entry but he made it through the immigration and was then issued a new green card. Immigration has record of everything and that's why they send you to Border security room if there's a red flag and those guys can even find out what's in your bank accounts, tax returns, map you to your family tree, airline travel records, cars you own and just about everything.

[fazalwahab11375]

Poster. I spoke with USCIS and they actually needed SS, DOB and card details. I would recommend calling them direct. I remained on hold for 17 minutes.. But I was able to talk. According to them they have to check the individual status of the person.

[portage1]

. You can not be out of the country for more then 1 year.... In your case and any one else if you stayed out of USA for more then a year, Your green card get expired and you got to do it all over again.... These days getting a green card is very very rare ..Only if you marry some one or blood relative.

[kdiesel]

Waqar, I too have a green card with no expiry. Below is the reply I got from US Embassy Islamabad:

Hi,

I got my Green Card in 1989-90 at the age of 15 years. After that I took re-entry permit which also expired in 1991.

Since then, I have not travelled in USA and my green card is still with me.

I want to know if my green card has expired? can it be renewed?

Can I still move to US on permanent basis.

Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to inform you that the maximum limit of stay outside of U.S. for a legal permanent resident (green card holder) as per U.S. immigration law, is less than one year (364 days). If a green cardholder has stayed more than six months and it is still less than one year, he/she can still travel to U.S before the stay exceeds one year.

I hope this information will be helpful to you.

U.S Embassy
Consular Section
Immigration Unit
Islamabad, Pakistan

[waqar_uae]

Poster. I spoke with USCIS and they actually needed SS, DOB and card details. I would recommend calling them direct. I remained on hold for 17 minutes.. But I was able to talk. According to them they have to check the individual status of the person.

@ fazalwahab11375

Thank again Bro. As mentioned in their details, I think the live assistance is only available inside US because when I try this number an automatic message starts and tried every number in this call but they never transfer to a customer support representative. I'll try my luck again.

I really appreciate your help regarding this issue.

[waqar_uae]

kdiesel

Can you please tell me email id of US embassy Islamabad at which you emailed them your query and got a reply back ? I will email them too. Thank you.

[Ovais007]

meanwhile you can go through this link. I will call USCIS now and ask.

USCIS - Renew a Green Card

How to re-enter USA, My "Green card" has no expiration date?

with green card you cant stay away for a certain period of time, NOT MORE THAN 6 MONTHS.. I am not sure. But the links gives some information. do you still have your SS#

Mere Parents Ko Last Year Green Card Mila Tha.. Green Card Miltay Hi Wo Waapsi Pakistan Aagaye.. Aur Phir Jub Uncle Ne USA K Immigration Office Se Poochha K 6 Months Me Waapsi USA Entry Zaroori Hai Ya 11 Months Me.. So Uncle Ko Javaab Mila K 11 Months Se Pehle Waapsi AajayeN, So Wo 11 Months Honay Se Kuch Din Pehle Waapsi America Gaye Aur Phir 2 Years Ki Leave Le K Waapsi Pakistan

[fazalwahab11375]

Hello sometime next week may be monday , i can call USCIS from here and I will conference you in. I will mute myself and you can talk direct. Pm me your contact number.

I think USCIS accept calls only within the US.

[MominHaq]

You can use gmail to call any landline in the US for free. Try calling from that.

[waqar_uae]

Pm sent.

Jazak Allah

Hello sometime next week may be monday , i can call USCIS from here and I will conference you in. I will mute myself and you can talk direct. Pm me your contact number.

I think USCIS accept calls only within the US.

[fazalwahab11375]

Pm sent.

Jazak Allah

Roger.

[nickatnite]

@waqar excuse the late reply to your PM, but here's my two bits of info, which is, that once you get permanent residency the only authority that can remove your residency from the US is an immigration judge even if you have stayed outside beyond the acceptable guidelines. having said that, the discretion to allow reentry into the US after a prolonged absence rests solely with the immigration officer at the port of entry. if you are allowed in , it is up to you to duke it out with the bureaucracy or a judge and get yourself regularized again. if not you could find yourself on a return flight after your appeal has run out.

[AP007]

@waqar excuse the late reply to your PM, but here's my two bits of info, which is, that once you get permanent residency the only authority that can remove your residency from the US is an immigration judge even if you have stayed outside beyond the acceptable guidelines. having said that, the discretion to allow reentry into the US after a prolonged absence rests solely with the immigration officer at the port of entry. if you are allowed in , it is up to you to duke it out with the bureaucracy or a judge and get yourself regularized again. if not you could find yourself on a return flight after your appeal has run out.

1. Will any airline agree to sell him a ticket to travel to USA? If he is denied entry, the airline is liable for the return costs.

2. Once there, what are the chances that an Immigration Officer will let him in after 32 years away and no evidence to prove ties as a permanent resident? At most, he will be detained at the airport until a summary judicial order is passed to deport him.

One way to try his luck would be to travel to Toronto and then travel to USA via private car. That just may work. Perhaps.

[fazalwahab11375]

At NY-Canada border. Situation is not that easy. Its as strict as at airport. And before that he has to apply for canada visa. Double trouble here. I frequently travel between this border .

1. Will any airline agree to sell him a ticket to travel to USA? If he is denied entry, the airline is liable for the return costs.

2. Once there, what are the chances that an Immigration Officer will let him in after 32 years away and no evidence to prove ties as a permanent resident? At most, he will be detained at the airport until a summary judicial order is passed to deport him.

One way to try his luck would be to travel to Toronto and then travel to USA via private car. That just may work. Perhaps.

[AP007]

At NY-Canada border. Situation is not that easy. Its as strict as at airport. And before that he has to apply for canada visa. Double trouble here. I frequently travel between this border .

The basic problem is that according to the law, he has no valid reason to be allowed entry as a permanent resident.

[MominHaq]

1. Will any airline agree to sell him a ticket to travel to USA? If he is denied entry, the airline is liable for the return costs.
   .

Let me tell you what happens with PIA. If a person gets deported, PIA will take them back to Pakistan. Once on Pakistani soil, the passenger will be handed over to the FIA until the passenger or the passenger's relatives pay for the ticket.

Nick has a very valid point.

[mwm749]

@Waqar.

I am surprised as where is your uncle, shouldn't he go to US Consulate in KHI and sort it.
Whats there to loose..

Last time I suggested you talk to immigration lawyer....have you?

Seems there is something which you are not sharing here.

[waqar_uae]

He went to the US consulate few years ago but he met a person there who had a same case and he was old too. US consulate confiscated his green card and he was visiting their office since 6 months and gave a brotherly advice not to submit your original document because they'll not return it. So my uncle came back as he had nowhere else to go.

I emailed many immigration lawyers in Pakistan but they said we don't deal in these cases. I emailed lawyers from USA too but they all saying first you have to pay them some $$$ for consultation lol.

@Waqar.

I am surprised as where is your uncle, shouldn't he go to US Consulate in KHI and sort it.
Whats there to loose..

Last time I suggested you talk to immigration lawyer....have you?

Seems there is something which you are not sharing here.

[AP007]

He went to the US consulate few years ago but he met a person there who had a same case and he was old too. US consulate confiscated his green card and he was visiting their office since 6 months and gave a brotherly advice not to submit your original document because they'll not return it. So my uncle came back as he had nowhere else to go.

I emailed many immigration lawyers in Pakistan but they said we don't deal in these cases. I emailed lawyers from USA too but they all saying first you have to pay them some $$$ for consultation lol.

Let us get one thing straight. The green card itself is not the important thing, the status of the person holding it is. Say if the card is lost. The person can get another card by proving his valid status by other means. But the reverse is not true. If the status is lost, then just having a card will not get it back.

The green card may or may not have an expiry date, but it is only a document that the person uses to show his permanent resident status. There are certain requirements laid down by law to maintain a permanent resident status. Your uncle did not do that. So he is no longer a permanent resident. The card itself is meaningless now. That is why the card will be confiscated if it is presented to any officer of the US government with authority to assess it.

[emjay21]

@waqar_uae,
my mother has the same problem..what did your uncle do .did he go to the usa and if so , then how. kindly let me know.

I want to ask this question on behalf of my uncle. Can anyone please solve his problem ? Waiting for your answers.

I graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. I am a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. My green card was issued in 1978, at the point when there was no expiration date placed on them. I came back to my home country (Karachi, Pakistan) in 1980's and now after nearly 32 years, I want to come back to USA . Kindly tell me how to enter in USA and how to apply for my new permanent resident card. I have few questions. Kindly answer them.

1) Can I enter to USA with my existing green card and then apply for a new permanent resident card by filing Form I-90, along with the filing and biometric fees.?
2) If not, Should I have to come on Visit visa first and then apply for my new permanent resident card ?
3) Would I be able to e-file (online)?
4) What is the correct and complete procedure to re-enter USA in my situation ?

Waiting for your reply.

Thank you.
Regards,