Which Countries Can You Visit with a U.S. Green Card? 39 Countries You Can Enter Without a Visa

A U.S. Green Card is an important document that represents the legal permanent residency of an individual living and working long-term in the United States.

However, having a Green Card also comes with certain regulations when visiting Vietnam or traveling abroad. In the following article, ImmiPath will show you which countries you can visit with a U.S. Green Card without needing a visa. See it now!

1. Which Countries Can You Visit with a U.S. Green Card Without a Visa?

With a U.S. Green Card, whether it’s a 2-year or 10-year card, you have the right to travel outside the United States. There are several countries where you do not need a visa for travel.

To reveal which countries you can visit with a U.S. Green Card, here are the 39 countries where you may not need a visa if you hold a U.S. Green Card.

Some Countries in North America:

• Canada
• Mexico
• U.S. Territories

Central America:

• Belize
• Costa Rica
• Panama

Caribbean:

• Anguilla (British Overseas Territory)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Bahamas
• Bermuda (British Overseas Territory)
• Bonaire (Dutch Overseas Territory)
• Cayman Islands (British Overseas Territory)
• Curaçao
• Dominica
• Sint Maarten
• Turks and Caicos (British Overseas Territory)

South America:

• Chile
• Peru

Europe:

• Albania
• Armenia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Georgia
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• Turkey

Middle East:

• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Oman
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates

Africa:

• Morocco

Asia:

• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Japan

2. An Overview of the U.S. Green Card

The U.S. Green Card grants you the right to reside legally in the U.S. as a permanent resident and enjoy certain benefits.

The Green Card is generally classified into two types: the 2-year Green Card and the 10-year Green Card.

• 2-Year Green Card: This is a conditional Green Card, typically issued when the holder is married for less than 2 years or under employment-based or investment-based immigration categories.
• 10-Year Green Card: This is an unconditional permanent resident card that can be obtained after the marriage has lasted for 2 years and the legitimacy of the marriage has been proven through documentation.
• Form I-751 is used to remove conditions on residency and must be filed within 90 days before the 2-year Green Card expires.

2.1 Benefits of a U.S. Green Card

With a U.S. Green Card, you will receive the following benefits:

• After 5 years of permanent residency, you can apply for U.S. citizenship.
• Protection from Deportation
• Retain Your Original Nationality
• Legal Protection by U.S. law
• Family Sponsorship 
• Ease of Travel from and to the U.S.
• Live and Travel Anywhere in the U.S.
• Eligibility for Federal Benefits
• Work Authorization in the U.S.
• Access to Education Programs in the U.S.
• Apply for Federal Student Financial Aid
• Opportunity to Buy Houses in the U.S.
• Choose to Start Your Own Business in the U.S.

2.2 Responsibilities of a U.S. Green Card Holder

As a Green Card holder, you have several responsibilities as a legal permanent resident of the United States:

• Like U.S. citizens, Green Card holders must file income taxes and report income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as well as to their state tax authority.
• Green Card holders are required to comply with U.S. federal laws, the laws of their state of residence, and local jurisdiction laws.
• Male Green Card holders aged 18-25 must register for Selective Service.
• Green Card holders must always carry their valid Green Card. Failure to carry it can result in a fine or imprisonment of up to 30 days.
• Green Card holders, like U.S. citizens, are prohibited from participating in any efforts to overthrow the government through illegal means.

3. Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Green Card

3.1. How Long Can I Stay Outside the U.S. with a Green Card?

As a Green Card holder, you can travel and stay outside the United States for up to 6 months without losing your permanent resident status.

If you stay outside the U.S. for more than 6 months but less than 1 year, you may face some questions at the port of entry when you return to the U.S.

This does not necessarily mean that you will be denied entry, as long as your trip abroad is in line with the residency time requirements.

However, staying outside the U.S. for more than 1 year may indicate that you intend to abandon your permanent resident status. This is known as abandoning your Green Card.

3.2. What if I Want to Stay Outside the U.S. for More than One Year?

You can stay outside the U.S. for more than one year and still maintain your permanent resident status.

However, to avoid being denied entry at the port of entry, Green Card holders should apply for a reentry permit before leaving the U.S.

Whether you are a permanent or conditional Green Card holder, a reentry permit allows you to apply for entry into the U.S. after returning from abroad without needing to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy.

If you stay outside the U.S. for more than 2 years, your reentry permit will expire. In this case, you will need to apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1) at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Applying for an SB-1 can be an extensive process, including health checks, establishing eligibility for an immigrant visa, and other requirements. This is why you should avoid staying beyond the validity of your reentry permit.

However, like the reentry permit, the returning resident visa does not automatically grant you entry after traveling abroad. The purpose of these documents is to help prove your case at the port of entry.

3.3. What Happens if I Lose My Green Card While Abroad?

If your Green Card or reentry permit is lost or destroyed while you are abroad, you will need to file Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation).

Without your Green Card, reentry permit, or Form I-131A, it will be difficult for you to enter the U.S. Allowing a traveler without valid documentation to board a flight can result in penalties for the airline.

3.4. Does Traveling Outside the U.S. Affect the Naturalization Process?

According to USCIS, “being absent from the U.S. for 6 months or more may disrupt the continuous residence required for naturalization.”

During the naturalization process, you will be required to disclose all trips taken outside the U.S. during the 5 years prior to applying for citizenship. If you are found to have been abroad for more than 6 months, this may affect your eligibility for citizenship.

However, for those who must be abroad for an extended period, there is a provision in Form N-470 to preserve residency for the naturalization process.

Eligibility for Form N-470 must be based on a very specific purpose, such as employment with the U.S. government, a recognized U.S. company, or religious purposes.

3.5. Can a U.S. Green Card Holder Travel to Canada?

If you hold a valid Green Card, you do not need a visa to travel to Canada. However, if you are flying across the U.S.-Canada border, you will need to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

3.6. Does a Green Card Holder Need a Visa for the UK?

Yes, you will need to apply for a visa to travel to the UK, even if you hold a Green Card. A Green Card does not allow entry into the UK.

3.7. Can a Green Card Holder Travel to Europe Without a Visa?

This mainly depends on your passport/nationality. However, a Green Card alone is not sufficient for visa-free travel to most European destinations. You should check which countries in the Schengen Area or other European countries offer visa exemptions for U.S. Green Card holders.

3.8. Does a U.S. Green Card Holder Need a Visa for South Korea?

U.S. Green Card holders are exempt from a visa for South Korea for up to 90 days. Holding a valid Green Card along with a passport valid for at least 6 months will allow visa-free travel for up to 30 days.

3.9. Does a U.S. Green Card Holder Need a Visa for Japan?

According to the Japanese Consulate regulations, U.S. Green Card holders or U.S. citizens are exempt from a visa for travel to Japan for stays of up to 90 days.

3.10. Does a U.S. Green Card Holder Need a Visa for Australia?

Yes, U.S. Green Card holders still need to apply for a visa to travel to Australia.

4. Conclusion on Where U.S. Green Card Holders Can Travel Without a Visa

From the information provided by ImmiPath above, you may no longer wonder about which countries U.S. Green Card holders can visit without needing a visa.

ImmiPath hopes this useful information helps you prepare effectively for your international travels and avoids any difficulties when re-entering the U.S.

If you have any further questions about where a U.S. Green Card can take you or about various U.S. immigration sponsorships, please leave a comment below. The ImmiPath team is ready to assist and provide detailed advice.