USA Passport Application: If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you might be asking Can I travel internationally using just my green card, without holding a passport? The brief response is possibly.
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This updated 2025 guide outlines how to travel internationally as a green card holder when you do not have a passport, and explains how a reentry permit can serve as an alternative. Additionally, we cover the benefits of this document and how it relates to services like the USA Passport Application and how to Apply USA Passport when needed.
1. Which Travel Documents Are Required for International Travel?
As a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you are authorized to travel beyond US borders.
You generally need three key documents: your green card (permanent resident card), a valid passport, and applicable visas for the country you are visiting.
US rules do not mandate that permanent citizens have a passport to come back to the US, but most other states will require a passport for entry.
Airlines also commonly require passengers to present a valid passport before boarding international flights.
However, if you do not have access to a passport, there may still be a workaround, explained in the section below.
2. Is It Possible to Travel with Only a Green Card and No Passport?
Even without a passport, you will still be able to travel overseas, expending a green card as well as a return permit. Here is how it works:
Many US permanent residents are unable to obtain a passport from their country of nationality. This could be due to political, legal, or administrative challenges.
In these cases, eligible residents can apply for a reentry permit, which acts as an alternative travel document.
A reentry permit resembles a passport booklet. It includes a biometric identification page and blank pages intended for entry and exit stamps or visas.
If acquiring a foreign passport is not possible, the reentry permit may serve as a substitute.
Several countries recognize the reentry permit as a valid travel document, though acceptance ultimately depends on each country’s policy.
It is vital to confirm in advance that your intended destination acknowledges a reentry permit in place of a passport.
This is why the answer to the original question is maybe it depends on whether the country you’re traveling to accepts this alternative document.
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3. What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Reentry Permit?
To qualify for a reentry permit, you need to meet five major criteria:
You must be a legal permanent occupant of the US
Submit Form I-131 to USCIS along with the compulsory documents.
You must be bodily within the US at the time of application as well as while USCIS accepts the request.
You are required to attend a biometric fingerprinting appointment inside the United States.
Your departure must be considered temporary, meaning your intent is to return to the US and maintain residency here as your home base.
If you are in the process of Renewing My Passport or applying for a USA Passport Application, it is recommended you handle those before international travel, but if that is not possible, a reentry permit becomes essential.
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4. How Long Can You Stay Abroad as a Green Card Holder?
You may continue outside the United States for up to 12 months, as well as still re-enter using your green card (Form I-551).
However, once you are gone for longer than 6 months, immigration officers could subject you to a more in-depth inspection.
The officials will regulate if your extended nonappearance suggests that you abandoned your permanent occupant status.
Staying overseas longer than 12 months means your green card can no longer be used for re-entry. Either you will essential a legal reentry permit, or you must apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1).
If you are currently unable to complete your USA Passport Application, or need to Replace Lost Passport or Replace Stolen Passport, the reentry permit gives you a temporary solution.
5. What Are the Advantages of a Reentry Permit?
The reentry permit offers three essential benefits:
Travel Alternative: If you are unable to get a passport, a reentry permit might be used in place of one (depending on the country’s regulations).
Maintains Your Status: If you are out of the country for over six months, immigration may question your commitment to US residency. A reentry permit creates a legal assumption that you did not intend to abandon your green card.
Allows US Reentry After Long Absence: For trips lasting longer than one year, your green card becomes invalid for reentry. A reentry permit is typically valid for two years from issuance and can be used for reentry within this timeframe.
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6. Are There Any Disadvantages?
Not all countries accept a reentry permit instead of a passport. Check your destination’s entry requirements.
A reentry permit does not guarantee automatic US reentry. It establishes a presumption of intent to return, but USCIS officers can still challenge this presumption if they find contrary evidence.
This is where having a valid passport or filing a Passport Renewal or Apply USA Passport early is still a best practice.
7. How to Safeguard Your US Permanent Resident Status
To protect your green card and avoid abandonment concerns:
Obtain a reentry permit before any long-term travel.
Maintain robust ties to the United States by:
Filing taxes as a US resident
Keeping a consistent US residential address
Holding a valid US driver’s license
Owning real estate or running a business in the US
Keeping a US-based bank account
Documenting the temporary nature of your foreign travel
If your travel is extended due to delays in your USA Passport Application, or if you are working to Replace Lost Passport or Replace Stolen Passport, use these steps to demonstrate continued ties to the US.
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Final Thoughts
In 2025, US permanent residents will be legally allowed to travel abroad. The typical travel documentation includes your green card, a passport, and necessary foreign visas. While the US does not require a passport re-entry, foreign nations and airlines do require it. If you do not have access to a passport, due to unavailability or loss, you can utilize a reentry permit as a temporary substitute, provided your destination accepts it.
If you are facing delays or difficulties with your USA Passport Application, need to Apply USA Passport, Renew My Passport, or Replace Stolen Passport, and the reentry permit can be a useful alternative for your travel needs, ensuring you remain compliant while protecting your US immigration status.
Applying for a USA Passport Application is now easier than ever. With the Online Passport Application USA service, you can complete the process from the comfort of your home. The American Passport Application Online system ensures quick and secure submissions. Whether it is your first passport or a passport renewal, everything is just a few clicks away.
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