VisaUS permanent residents can request boarding papers if they lose a Green Card abroad
Form I-131A addresses boarding a US-bound carrier after temporary travel. The consulate checks the person’s status and travel dates.
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Check whether a boarding document addresses the problem
A US lawful permanent resident who loses their Green Card while temporarily abroad can ask a US consular office about Form I-131A. The application can lead to a boarding foil, a document that allows a carrier to transport the person to the United States for inspection. The consular officer verifies resident status. The border officer makes the admission decision on arrival.
Federal regulations list a valid Green Card for most temporary absences of under a year and a valid reentry permit as another document. Customs and Border Protection guidance for people abroad directs travellers who lose their card to the US embassy or consulate. If the card was stolen, report the theft to local police and keep the report. Establish which document you still have before deciding whether a boarding application is needed.
Measure the absence before paying
For a lost, stolen or damaged Green Card, the State Department manual measures the usual one-year threshold from departure from the United States to payment of the I-131A fee. It says a consular officer may issue the foil after the anniversary if the fee was paid within the period. A lengthy delay between payment and filing can require additional review. Gather travel records showing the actual departure date and consult the mission promptly.
If a person has already been abroad for a year or longer without suitable reentry documentation, CBP directs them to the nearest mission. The mission can assess whether a different procedure is required in light of the absence. A resident who had a reentry permit should give the office the permit details and dates for that assessment.
Pay the carrier documentation fee through USCIS
The federal fee regulation lists $575 for Form I-131A. The USCIS payment page asks for the name, date of birth and alien registration number exactly as they appear on the Green Card or reentry permit. A person with a saved copy should compare those entries before submitting payment. The payment page says another person may pay using an eligible card or a US bank account.
Save the receipt and take proof of payment when appearing in person at the US embassy or consulate to file Form I-131A. USCIS describes the fee as non-refundable. Check that the post handles this service and use its own appointment instructions. The US Embassy in Mexico, for example, tells applicants to request an appointment with a completed form and proof of payment. Follow the instructions for the post you will actually attend.
Bring evidence that connects the missing card to your status
Collect your passport, any retained copy of the missing card and proof of travel dates. Keep records that identify the traveller and show the date they actually left the United States, such as their used ticket and relevant passport pages. Ask the consular office which records it needs for identity and status verification, and whether it expects any additional evidence about the loss.
A person who still holds an expired card should check the documents the airline will accept. CBP warns that some carriers may refuse boarding with an expired card and points to the original extension notice when applicable. An expired card, a lost card and a valid card with a name discrepancy present different evidence questions. Describe the actual document to the mission before paying for carrier documentation.
Check the foil’s dates and replace the card
If a foil is issued, read its actual validity and travel instructions before booking. The consular manual generally limits it to a single entry and up to 30 days, with exceptions. Carry the passport or other required travel document and be prepared for inspection on arrival.
USCIS Form I-90 instructions govern replacement of the physical card. Check the correct filing basis and current fee after return. Conditional residents approaching expiration of their two-year status should consult the instructions for removing conditions, because Form I-90 has limits on replacing an expired or soon-expiring conditional card. Keep the consular records for your own files while the replacement is pending.
