Is a child able to travel outside of the U.S. while their application for a green card is in process?

It is possible for a child to travel abroad while their application for a green card is in process in California. However, it is important to understand that if the minor is traveling to any country that requires a visa, the visa may be denied because the child may not be considered a permanent resident of the U.S. It is also important to consider the length of time that the child will be outside of the United States. If the child is outside the U.S. for more than six months, they may be considered to have abandoned their application for a green card. Before a child travels outside of the U.S., they must be sure to have a valid travel document such as a passport issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). This will allow them to return to the U.S. without having any issues. Additionally, the child may need to obtain an Advance Parole Document from USCIS if they plan to stay abroad for more than six months. This document will allow them to re-enter the U.S. for any purpose, including to continue their residency process. For these reasons, it is always best to consult an immigration lawyer before any decisions are made regarding travel outside of the United States. The lawyer will be able to advise on the best course of action and provide guidance on the necessary steps to take to protect the child’s status while abroad.

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La respuesta a esta pregunta sobre inmigración de niños en California es complicada. En general, un niño no puede salir del país mientras su solicitud de tarjeta verde está en proceso. Esto se debe a que existe el riesgo de que el niño se quede atrapado fuera de los Estados Unidos sin la tarjeta verde. Si un niño sale del país mientras se procesa la tarjeta verde, la solicitud se cancelará y el niño perderá los beneficios de la tarjeta verde. Sin embargo, un niño puede salir temporalmente de los Estados Unidos mientras su solicitud de tarjeta verde está en proceso si está dentro de un período de espera. Esto significa que la solicitud de tarjeta verde ha sido aprobada por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, pero el proceso de emisión de la tarjeta todavía se está llevando a cabo. Si el niño sale del país durante este período, los beneficios de la tarjeta verde se conservarán. En general, es una buena idea que un niño evite salir del país si su aplicación de tarjeta verde está en proceso. Si es necesario salir, asegúrate de documentar la visita para evitar cualquier retraso en el proceso de la tarjeta verde.

Related FAQs

Is a child able to return to their home country while their adjustment of status application is in process?
Is there a difference between a child's immigrant visa and a child's nonimmigrant visa?
What documents are required to apply for immigration as a child?
Can a child apply for immigration without a visa?
Are children given priority when applying for a green card if they have a qualifying familial relationship?
Are there any special considerations for a child to apply for an immigrant visa as an Orphan?
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Are children able to apply for the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program?
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