There are many countries across the globe where U.S lawful permanent residents, also known as green-card holders, are able to travel without applying for a visa.
Why It Matters
The United States passport has fallen to a record low in ranking, but it still remains quite powerful, allowing Americans to enter more than 180 countries without first applying for a visa. U.S. green-card holders are also allowed to enter a smaller number of countries without applying for a visa, as long as they still hold an eligible passport from their country of origin.
Travel for green-card holders has become more challenging President Donald Trump‘s second term, as some lawful permanent residents have been swept up in his administration’s increased immigration enforcement. There have been instances of green-card holders returning from international travel being detained upon their return to the United States if they have prior criminal records.
What To Know
A U.S. green card is not as powerful as a passport, but it can still make international travel easier for lawful permanent residents looking to visit specific countries, specifically in South and Central America, the Caribbean or parts of Europe. Avoiding visa applications can save time and money for those who are eligible.
The map below shows which countries allow green-card holders to travel without a visa, as long as they have a passport.
Notably, policies change from time to time and there may be some exceptions for each country, so people are always advised to check with their embassies or with an immigration attorney before traveling to another country to receive full information about whether a visa is needed.
Some countries still require a visa for green-card holders, but holding the green card may allow them to more easily apply for a visa online. Others may allow green-card holders to enter visa-free for specific nationalities.
Additionally, green-card holders should have no issues traveling to overseas U.S. territories such as Guam or Puerto Rico because they are part of the United States.
Green-card holders are legally allowed to leave the United States, whether for business or to visit another country, but may need to apply for a reentry permit if they are leaving for an extended period of time—typically a period longer than a year.
“Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status,” the website for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says.
Green-card holders are not eligible for U.S. passports until they become U.S. citizens.
What People Are Saying
Belize Embassy website: “U.S. Citizens and Holders of U.S. Permanent Resident Cards/U.S. Multiple Entries Visas do not require a visa to enter Belize.”
Costa Rica Embassy website: “Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least the length of your stay in Costa Rica. Letters of extension are not accepted. The residence card [Green Card] must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS]. The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features.”
What Happens Next
Although green-card holders may travel internationally, some immigration advocates remain concerned about increased enforcement from the Trump administration and have warned that lawful permanent residents could face scrutiny upon returning to the U.S. The Trump administration has maintained that green-card holders with no criminal past should not be concerned.
The post Map Shows Countries Green-Card Holders Can Visit Without Visas appeared first on Newsweek.
