Re-entry to U.S. with valid GC but expired passport?

[Zaye]

Hello:
I am a Canadian Citizen with GC living and working in the U.S. My canadian passport has expired but GC is valid. If I travel to Canada for 1 week, when I try to re-enter the U.S., will I be able to do so on the basis of my valid GC or will it be essential for me to show a valid passport as well?

[ginnu]

Originally Posted by Zaye

Hello:
I am a Canadian Citizen with GC living and working in the U.S. My canadian passport has expired but GC is valid. If I travel to Canada for 1 week, when I try to re-enter the U.S., will I be able to do so on the basis of my valid GC or will it be essential for me to show a valid passport as well?

For entry to US GC is enough but Airlines need valid passport. Better get passport renewed.

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by ginnu

For entry to US GC is enough but Airlines need valid passport. Better get passport renewed.

If you're entering from Canada, the Green Card should suffice.

[gunt]

if you enter the US from the Western Hemisphere, then only a Green Card is required. If you enter from from anywhere else (ex. Europe), you need to present the GC and a valid passport.

[NIW_Engineer]

Originally Posted by gunt

if you enter the US from the Western Hemisphere, then only a Green Card is required...

Sorry, but this is not true.

The Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that the requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere will begin on January 23, 2007.

That is straight from the state department: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/76752.htm

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by NIW_Engineer

Sorry, but this is not true.

The link you provided clearly states "passport or other accepted document", and a Green Card is one of the documents that qualifies.

[NIW_Engineer]

Allright, I stand corrected. However, like ginnu posted earlier, the airlines might give trouble, no? I would feel a lot more comfortable with the passport.

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by NIW_Engineer

Allright, I stand corrected. However, like ginnu posted earlier, the airlines might give trouble, no?

It depends. If you are flying in through a PFI (like 99% of all Canada->US Air Travel) the airline shouldn't care since you will be clearing US Customs and Immigration BEFORE you get on the plane.

[isitanylonger]

true about re-entering the US on only a GC, but you might have trouble leaving in the first place as the airline might not let you board a flight to Canada in the first place without a valid passport.

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by isitanylonger

you might have trouble leaving in the first place as the airline might not let you board a flight to Canada in the first place without a valid passport.

Again, it depends. I don't need a passport to visit Canada.

[dima66a]

I have entered US from Canada yesterday (Calgary->LA). US custom/immigration didn't even look at the passport, he just passed my GC through the slot. But before you can get to US immigration, you have to check-in at the airline ticketing stand. And airline guy (Air Canada in my case) didn't care about GC, he just asked for passpot and entered my last name into his computer.
May be you can cross US/Canada border on the ground with just GC, but you probably can't do it by air since airline won't check you in without a valid passport.

[Jane Green]

Originally Posted by TheRealCanadian

The link you provided clearly states "passport or other accepted document", and a Green Card is one of the documents that qualifies.

The Green does NOT qualifies as an “accepted document"
when arriving in US by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.
You must have a valid passport now.
Here is a better link, with a detailed explanation what documents are acceptable:
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164209628449.shtm

“The only acceptable alternative documents to a passport for air travel will be the Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) and the NEXUS Air card”.

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by Jane Green

The Green does NOT qualifies as an “accepted document" when arriving in US by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.
You must have a valid passport now.

Wrong. Please read further:

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164210249468.shtm

How will U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs) be affected by the passport requirement?

LPRs will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by DHS, or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to the United States.

[pianoplayer]

Originally Posted by Jane Green

The Green does NOT qualifies as an “accepted document"
when arriving in US by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.
You must have a valid passport now.
Here is a better link, with a detailed explanation what documents are acceptable:
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164209628449.shtm

“The only acceptable alternative documents to a passport for air travel will be the Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) and the NEXUS Air card”.

Hi:

Yes, you need to read further. However, for many people the point is moot, since you will need to have a passport to enter the other country as most countries require.