When flying back from India to the US with eVisa + green card, does one have to take any action immigration-wise before the flight?
Bob holds a French passport, a US green card, and is visiting India on an e-Visa (formerly known as tourist visa). He flew to India directly from the US. When flying back from India to the US, does Bob have to take any action immigration-wise?
I'm asking as Bob was told when checking in his flight back that he was supposed to have asked for some kind of clearance at any US embassy in India.
Answering the comments:
- Bob was allowed to check-in, after the airline employee called the embassy and waited 30 minutes for clearance. Bob was outside the US for three weeks. None of the travel documents had expired.
- The airline was Air India. Bob did indeed mention to the employees (4 employees got involved) that the green card should be enough to enter the US. Bob was told several times by the employees that he should have called the US embassy before taking the flight. No clear explanation was given to him despite repeatedly asking for clarification
Best Answer
The check-in staff were amateurs, period.
Yes, you need to supply SecureFlight data through the airline (this is done online when checking in at the latest), but no other clearance, not even a passport, is needed, only a valid Green card (or expired for that matter, if it's a 10-year card).
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Can green card holders travel from India to USA?
A U.S. green card is not sufficient by itself as a travel document, though it is enough to get you back into the United States. You will, in fact, be expected to present your valid, unexpired green card upon reentry to the United States. (This is also known as a Permanent Resident Card or Form I-551.)Can green card holders travel back to us?
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) of the U.S. must present a Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card", Form I-551), a Reentry Permit (if gone for more than 1 year), or a Returning Resident Visa (if gone for 2 years or more) to reenter the United States.Can I reenter US with immigrant visa?
If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you may leave the United States multiple times and reenter, if you do not intend to stay outside the United States for 1 year or more.How long can a US citizen stay in India on eVisa?
US citizens are eligible for an India e-Visa, which is a multiple-entry visa and grants stays of up to 180 days in the country. American travelers can obtain an electronic visa for tourism, business, or medical treatment purposes.When Your Green Card Expires While You Are Abroad: Can you Still Return to the US?
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