Travel Document for GC holder vs. renew passport

[mydreamUSA1]

Folks, my national (non-US) passport is about to expire. I am a GC holder. I have a choice to renew my national passport or applying for Travel document.

Get a re-newed passport will cost me twice as for applying for a Travel document. Also, next year, I am eligible to apply for US Citizenship.

Is it worth to spend more money for securing a new passport ? Any disadvantage (other known limitation for visa/traveling to the other countries)for applying/having for Travel document during US Citizenship process?

Thank for your help.

[GCman2005]

My friend, you already have your answer, it will cost more money plus since Immigration has never been clear about renewing a national passport, and you getting USC in one year, why take a chance.

I did renew my NP but will not go to COP, I simply hope I didnt make a mistake.

[Jackolantern]

Answer: It depends.

1. If you got your green card by asylum/refugee, it looks suspicious if you renew your national passport.

2. If you plan to travel to your current country of citizenship before becoming a US citizen, they may require you to present a passport of that country.

3. If you get to keep your original citizenship after obtaining US citizenship, it makes sense to renew the passport (unless #1 applies) as you'll still remain a citizen of that country ... and if #2 applies you have to get the passport if you plan to visit your original country before or after obtaining US citizenship.

[Dedo]

I look at it a different way. I would never want to be out of a valid travel document for many reasons. If I did not have a valid passport for a year, I would be very worried. Its not worth saving a hundred bucks

What if things change next year...you cant apply for citizenship? your app is delayed?? I know this is remote, but before 2001, they were processing GC's in 9 months too...remember?

Not worth the risk IMO

[GCman2005]

jackolantern

I thank you for all your intervention in this forum. I was told the first time I entered in the USA after getting my CG ( but not receiving it) to get a NP. At that time I was using using a RTD with permanent resident status.

Immigration sent me a paper telling me that my CG was officially lost, I went to baltimore immigration and IO told me cleary to get a NP so he can put a stamp while they processed my application.

I did get a new passport in DC in less than a week and got the stamp and started travelling with the temporary stamp. By the way I finally got my CG.

Do you really think jackolantern, I could get in trouble one day? I am AS6.


thank

[mmed]

Originally Posted by mydreamUSA1

Folks, my national (non-US) passport is about to expire. I am a GC holder. I have a choice to renew my national passport or applying for Travel document.

Get a re-newed passport will cost me twice as for applying for a Travel document. Also, next year, I am eligible to apply for US Citizenship.

Is it worth to spend more money for securing a new passport ? Any disadvantage (other known limitation for visa/traveling to the other countries)for applying/having for Travel document during US Citizenship process?

Thank for your help.

No guarantee when your citizen application will be granted, it may take few months or years or even denied, no offense mine too may be denied, no one knows. The few bucks you are going to save are not worth it and having a valid passport all the time is not a bad idea.

[Memphian]

Few dollars vs peace of mind.

Pick one; no option to pick both

[Username123]

What travel document are you guys referring to? is it a reentry permit?

[Hannah7]

By the way ... my passport has nothing to do with my plastic green card ?

I guess, to reenter the U.S. , one must use his/her passport with immigration visa (GC) and stamp untill gets the plastic GC.

So when I have the plastic GC and my passport expires , I can renew my passport at will, right ?

[thankful]

Originally Posted by GCman2005

I could get in trouble one day? I am AS6.


thank

It is possible. Naturalization examiners have been known to look into this in depth. It depends on the particulars of the original asylum application.

[thankful]

Originally Posted by Dedo

I look at it a different way. I would never want to be out of a valid travel document for many reasons. If I did not have a valid passport for a year, I would be very worried. Its not worth saving a hundred bucks

What if things change next year...you cant apply for citizenship? your app is delayed?? I know this is remote, but before 2001, they were processing GC's in 9 months too...remember?

Not worth the risk IMO

If you have a travel document issued by the United States (a reentery permit or a refugee travel document) then you have a valid travel document which is often better than a national passport imo.