The United States Embassy is happy to answer some common questions about lost, stolen and expired Green Cards.
Q: What is a legal permanent resident?
A: Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as “green card” holders, are non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States. LPRs may accept an offer of employment without special restrictions, receive financial assistance at public colleges and universities, and join the Armed Forces.
Q: I exited the United States and visited Guyana for a short vacation. During my stay, my green card became lost or stolen. I have been in Guyana for less than one year. How can I get back to the United States?
A: If your Legal Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) has been damaged, lost, stolen, or misplaced, you will need to apply for a boarding foil at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown after establishing your bona fide qualifications as a Legal Permanent Resident. The boarding foil will allow you to board your flight, despite the absence of a physical green card.
Once you return to the United States, you will need to apply for a replacement green card with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Information about replacement cards can be found online (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/replace-green-card).
Q: I exited the United States and visited Guyana for a short term business trip. I have been in Guyana for less than one year. When returning to the airport, I realized my green card had recently expired. Do I still qualify for a boarding foil?
A: If your green card is expired, you will need to apply for a boarding foil at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown. The boarding foil will allow you to board your flight, despite the absence of a valid physical green card.
Once you return to the United States, you will need to apply for a replacement green card with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Information about replacement cards can be found online (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/replace-green-card).
Q: I am a Legal Permanent Resident and need a boarding foil to return to the United States. How do I apply for a boarding foil?
A: Please follow the below six steps to apply for a boarding foil:
Step 1 – Complete Form I-131A (Application for Travel Document)
The form can be found online (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-131a.pdf)
Step 2 – Pay the Processing Fee ($575) and retain your confirmation page
You can pay the fee online (https://public-prod elis2.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/app/app/travel/#!/)
Step 3 – Complete a police report and statement (Affidavit) explaining what happened to the Green Card.
Step 4 – Review your passport and ensure it is valid for at least 6 months.
Step 5 – One recent colored passport sized photo measuring 2 Inches by 2 Inches (Full View)
Step 6 – Print your travel itinerary or E-ticket.
Q: I have completed all of these steps, when should I visit the U.S. Embassy?
A: The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown processes boarding foil applications every Monday. Please visit the Embassy on a Monday at 1:00PM. The Embassy will collect all of these documents, conduct an interview, and verify in our system that you are indeed a qualified Legal Permanent Resident.
Q: I have additional questions. Can I speak with a member of your staff about my situation?
A: You may contact our Inquiries Unit via email (visageorge@state.gov).
“Ask the Consul” from the U.S. Embassy Consular Section answers questions about U.S. immigration law and visa issues. If you have a general question about visa policy, please email it to us at AskGeorge@state.gov. We select questions every other week and publish the answers in Stabroek News.
Information about visas and travel can be viewed at https://gy.usembassy.gov/, http://travel.state.gov, and http://www.dhs.gov.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third-party advice. Regulations change frequently and non-US government advisors frequently provide inadequate, incomplete and inaccurate information.
Other than the columns you see printed here, we aren’t able to respond to questions sent to Ask the Consul. Please contact the Visa Information Service on telephone number 225-8732 or 703-439-2359 if you have procedural questions or e-mail visageorge@state.gov for case specific information.
