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FAQs – Lawful Permanent Residents

Replacing Green Cards

My Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is about to expire. Can I file Form I-90 at the Embassy?

No. You should file Form I-90 to renew your Green Card as soon as you return to the United States. Be sure to return to the United States within one year of your last departure.

My Green Card has expired. I have been out of the United States for less than one year. Do I need a Boarding Foil?

No. You don’t need a Boarding Foil and do not need to pay the I-131A application fee; if you have a Valid Reentry Permit to the United States, or an Expired Green Card if:

  • You have an expired Green Card that was issued with a 10-year expiration date, or
  • You have an expired Green Card with a 2-year expiration date AND a Form I-797, Notice of Action, showing that they have filed a Form I-751 or Form I-829 to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status. The Form I-797 extends the validity of the card for a specified length of time, generally 18 months.

I applied for a Green Card but have not yet received it. What should I do?

If you have your receipt number, you should contact the USCIS case status service online or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC).

When filing a Form I-90 for replacement of Green Card, it is required to submit biometrics. Can I take my fingerprints at the U.S. Embassy or consulates in Japan?

No. The U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Japan cannot take fingerprints for this purpose. If you have any questions concerning these procedures, please contact USCIS directly.

Lost/Forgotten Green Cards

I lost my Green Card. What should I do?

First, you are required to report the loss of your Green Card to the local police authorities. If you are in Japan, you should apply for a “Boarding Foil” at the Embassy in Tokyo or Consulate-Generals in Osaka or Naha. For information on “Boarding Foil”, see the Boarding Foil Information page.

I forgot my Green Card in the United States. What should I do?

If you have left your Green Card in the United States, arrange for someone to send it to you overseas.

Maintaining Permanent Resident Status

I expect to be outside of the United States for more than one year. What should I do?

If you plan to be outside of the United States for more than one year, you should apply for a re-entry permit before leaving the United States. You should file Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document/Re-entry Permit with USCIS. A re-entry permit is normally valid for up to 2 years and shows that you are returning from a temporary visit abroad. You will be required to show the re-entry permit at the port of entry when you enter the United States.

Information for U.S. military family members.

I have a valid re-entry permit but my passport has expired (or is lost). Can I still return to the United States?

Although you may return to the United States without a passport if you have a valid re-entry permit, you may be required to show your passport when leaving the foreign country you are in.

I did not apply for a re-entry permit before leaving the United States and it has been more than one year since I left the United States. What should I do?

If you did not apply for a re-entry permit before leaving the United States and have been overseas for more than one year, you may need to apply for an SB-1 Returning Resident Visa to return to the United States. See Returning Resident (SB-1).

Information for U.S. military family members.

My re-entry permit will expire shortly. Can I get a new one in the United States? How many times will they issue me a new re-entry permit?

There is no limit on the number of times you apply for a re-entry permit. USCIS determines whether your application will be approved.

Can I file for a re-entry permit with the Embassy?

Form I-131 can only be filed with USCIS when you are in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

When filing a Form I-131 for re-entry permit, it is required to submit biometrics. Can I take my fingerprints at the U.S. Embassy or consulates in Japan?

No. The U.S. Embassy or consulates in Japan cannot take fingerprints for this purpose. If you have any questions concerning these procedures, please contact USCIS directly.

Change of Address

I entered the United States on an immigrant visa. My address changed before I received my Green Card. What should I do?

Please remember that as a Lawful Permanent Resident, you must report a change of address within 10 days of moving within the United States. You should contact USCIS immediately.

Child Born Subsequent to the Issuance of an Immigrant Visa

I gave birth to a child subsequent to the issuance of the immigrant visa. What do I need to do before going to the United States?

Your child is not required to obtain an immigrant visa to travel to the United States provided that*:

  • The child was born subsequent to the issuance of an immigrant visa to his or her accompanying parent.
  • The child’s admission to the United States will be within the validity of the visa to his or her accompanying parent.

Please make sure that you have all required documents for your child and yourself that will allow you to board the plane and then be legally admitted to the United States before you begin the travel to the United States.

You should have:

  • An immigrant visa of the parent to travel to the United States
  • Valid passports for both the parent and the child; and,
  • The child’s birth certificate listing both mother and the father. (An English translation must be accompanied with the birth certificate, if the original document is not in English.)

* Pursuant to 8 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America), Section 211.1(b)(1):

(1) A waiver of the visa required in paragraph (a) of this section shall be granted without fee or application by the district director, upon presentation of the child’s birth certificate, to a child born subsequent to the issuance of an immigrant visa to his or her accompanying parent who applies for admission during the validity of such a visa; or a child born during the temporary visit abroad of a mother who is a lawful permanent resident alien, or a national, of the United States, provided that the child’s application for admission to the United States is made within 2 years of birth, the child is accompanied by the parent who is applying for readmission as a permanent resident upon the first return of the parent to the United States after the birth of the child, and the accompanying parent is found to be admissible to the United States.

Child Born Abroad to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)

I am a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). While I am outside the United States, I gave birth to a child. What do I need to do before returning to the United States?

Your child is not required to obtain an immigrant visa to travel to the United States provided that*:

  • He or she was born during the LPR mother’s temporary visit abroad,
  • The child’s admission to the United States will be within two years of birth, and
  • The accompanying LPR parent (mother or father) is making his/her first entry into the United States since the child’s birth.

Please make sure before you begin the travel to the United States that you have all required documents for your child and yourself that will allow you to board the plane and then be legally admitted to the United States.

You should have:

  • A permanent resident card (Green Card) OR a valid U.S. re-entry permit OR an SB-1(Returning Resident) immigrant visa to travel to the United States.
  • Evidence that you are a Lawful Permanent Resident and have been outside the United States for less than one year, (or less than two years if you are in possession of a valid re-entry permit) note: This does not apply to SB-1 immigrant visa travelers.
  • Valid passports for both the LPR parent and the child; and,
  • The child’s birth certificate listing both mother and the father. (An English translation must be accompanied with the birth certificate, if the original document is not in English.)

*Pursuant to 8 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America), Section 211.1(b)(1):

(1) A waiver of the visa required in paragraph (a) of this section shall be granted without fee or application by the district director, upon presentation of the child’s birth certificate, to a child born subsequent to the issuance of an immigrant visa to his or her accompanying parent who applies for admission during the validity of such a visa; or a child born during the temporary visit abroad of a mother who is a lawful permanent resident alien, or a national, of the United States, provided that the child’s application for admission to the United States is made within 2 years of birth, the child is accompanied by the parent who is applying for readmission as a permanent resident upon the first return of the parent to the United States after the birth of the child, and the accompanying parent is found to be admissible to the United States.