Notably for many foreign nationals, permanent resident cards and employment authorization cards are both acceptable forms of documentation for domestic flights.
If you are a permanent or conditional permanent resident who has been outside the U.S. for one year or longer, apply for a re-entry permit before you travel. Use Form I-131 - Application for Travel Document. For permanent residents, the re-entry permit is valid for two years from the date of issue.
ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. The processing of an ESTA can take up to 72 hours. It is also advisable to check the status of an already approved ESTA in advance of traveling to make sure that it is still valid.
Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records, is used to apply for the following documents: Reentry Permits, Refugee Travel Documents, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Travel Authorization Documents, Advance Parole Documents, initial Parole Documents for noncitizens ...
Planning Your Trip. The travel document usually arrives within 150 days (sometimes longer) after submitting your application. You can't leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States.
Travel approvers are required to provide a decision on a travel request within ten working days of receiving a complete and compliant application, whether the TRA is approved or not.
For example, a regular Entry Waiver application can take up to 12 months for government review in 2025, while eSAFE waivers are often issued in 170 days or less. The e-SAFE Waiver processing time can increase or decrease based on several factors including application volume.
Yes, you can. With a conditional green card, you are considered a lawful permanent resident and have all the rights and privileges associated with that status.
Understanding the I-551 Stamp: Your Temporary Green Card It's valid for one year and is recognized as a legal document for employment and travel purposes.