have green card but no passport

W

woods1234

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I am currently a green card holder. I got it 2+ years ago through my employer (eb2).

I am in a position where I am not able to renew my passport from my home country because of some mix-up. According to them, I broke some law concerning address change. In order for me to clear my name, I have to return home and pay a hefty fine (several hundred dollars) or fight them in court (this could take several weeks). I simply don't have time for this.

Thus, I am without a passport right now. My questions are:

1. If in the meantime, I want to take a short trip to Europe, for example, is there some way I can do this?

2. Will my above scenario affect my US citizenship procedure?
 
First of all, you will not be able to leave the US or enter any other country without a Valid Passport.
You will need to contact the Embassy/Consulate of your home country in the US and get your passport renewed over here. In most cases, it does not take more than 2 weeks. In your case, you may have to go the Consulate personally and resolve it. I cannot see what crime you have committed by just not doing the address change.
I am not sure about how this will affect your Citizenship.
 
1. you can go to either Canada or Mexico with just a green card. I don’t think any other country will allow it. Now, there is a document for people who cannot get passports from their home country. Could not find details from USCIS webpage (including eligibility), but I’ve posted the extract. Maybe you can search the site for more information: (http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/travdoc.htm)

"What is a Travel Document and Who Needs One?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need permission to return to the United States after traveling abroad. This permission is granted through a travel document. Travel documents are also given to people who want to travel, but cannot get a passport from their country of nationality. See the below listed items for more information"

2. It will not affect your citizenship as the issue is with another country. As long as you maintain your PR and meet the requirements, you are eligible to become a US citizen after 5 years.
 
To JoeF (or others):

So, can a person in my shoes (I received my green card through regular employment-based track. I'm not an asylum/refugee, but still my country will not issue me a passport) apply for and use the travel document?
 
Originally posted by woods1234
To JoeF (or others):

So, can a person in my shoes (I received my green card through regular employment-based track. I'm not an asylum/refugee, but still my country will not issue me a passport) apply for and use the travel document?
Click to expand...

Yes. I am in your shoes. I applied and received reentry permit (the green one), which I used as a passport for travel without any problems. It took USCIS 16 months to issue it though.
 
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