As a lawful permanent resident (LPR), you can travel freely within all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Washington D.C. You do not need any special permission. Your green card serves as a valid form of identification at airports alongside a state-issued ID.
Green card holders can travel internationally, but there are important rules to follow:
As of January 1, 2026, President Trump expanded the travel ban to 39 countries. Green card holders are exempt from the travel ban, regardless of their country of origin. However, you may face enhanced screening when returning from certain countries.
Yes, with four rules to remember
- Carry the right documents. A valid, unexpired green card and a valid passport from your country of nationality. Nothing else is required to return to the United States from a normal trip.
- Keep trips under six months. Six months is the point at which USCIS presumes a break in continuous residence for naturalization, and border officers begin asking whether you still live in the United States.
- Get a re-entry permit for a trip that could last a year or more. Apply on Form I-131 and complete biometrics before you leave. The permit is valid for two years.
- Know your destination’s visa rules. The green card exempts you from visa requirements in Canada, Mexico, and a limited number of other countries; everywhere else, your passport’s rules apply.
What is different at the border now
Returning permanent residents are being questioned more closely than in past years, particularly those with criminal records, extended absences, or nationality from countries subject to entry restrictions. Officers have asked some travelers to sign Form I-407 to give up their status. You have the right to refuse and to request a hearing before an immigration judge, who is the only official who can order the loss of permanent residence. Travel with proof of U.S. residence (a lease, pay stubs, tax returns) if there is any reason to expect questions.
Traveling while your N-400 is pending
You may travel, but you must be in the United States for biometrics, the interview, and the oath. USCIS will not reschedule these for convenience, and missing one can result in your application being closed. List every trip taken after filing on Form N-445, the oath ceremony notice, and be prepared for the officer to recalculate your physical presence at the interview.
Traveling with children who are permanent residents
Children need their own green cards and passports. A child traveling with only one parent may be asked for a notarized consent letter from the other parent by airlines or foreign border officials. Children under 18 who are permanent residents automatically become citizens when a parent naturalizes, which simplifies future travel considerably.
Conditional residents
If you hold a two-year conditional green card, the travel rules are the same. File Form I-751 in the 90 days before the card expires; the receipt notice extends your status, and you should carry it with the expired card when traveling. Do not travel on an expired conditional card without the receipt.
When to talk to a lawyer before traveling
Any arrest or conviction, any prior removal order or immigration violation, any absence approaching six months, a green card obtained through asylum if you plan to visit your home country, or an expired card with no renewal filed. In these situations a short consultation before the trip can prevent a very expensive problem at the airport.
Last reviewed and expanded by the USCitizenTestPractice Editorial Team in September 2026, based on the USCIS Policy Manual, the official 2025 civics test materials, and current USCIS fee and form instructions. This is an independent study resource, not legal advice.
