Which Countries Can You Visit With a Green Card?
Posted by Frank Gogol in Immigrants | Updated on August 12, 2023
A U.S. green card grants you many benefits and privileges, such as being able to work and live in the U.S. permanently. One of the great additional benefits not often talked about is that you can, similar to U.S. citizens, also travel to certain countries without having to apply for a visa first.
Which countries can you visit with a green card? Let’s take a look!
Can Green Card Holders Travel Abroad Without a Visa?
American citizens can travel to over 170 countries worldwide without needing a visa. Many of these countries extend the same benefits to U.S. green card holders. The question is, which countries can you visit with a green card without a visa?
There are numerous countries U.S. green card holders can visit without needing a visa. Unfortunately, this doesn’t include all the countries that allow U.S. citizens to travel without a visa, but there are still a few. The country you are going to must have extended the same rights to lawful permanent residents of the U.S.
If you are wondering whether the country you are traveling to has extended the same privileges, take a look at the country’s visa policy. Most countries will first consider your passport (i.e., your nationality) over your green card. If you generally need a visa to travel to a country based on your passport, you will also need a visa to go to that country despite having a green card.
Still, some countries allow U.S. green card holders to visit without a visa.
Which Countries Can Green Card Holders Visit Without a Visa
So, which countries can you visit with a green card without a visa? Below is a list of the most popular countries:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Georgia
- The British Virgin Islands
- Aruba and Curaçao
- The Balkans
- Singapore
- Peru
This isn’t an extensive list, so, again, check the visa policy of the country you are traveling to.
If you are planning to travel to one of the below countries, however, your green card will be sufficient.
Aruba and Curaçao
You can visit any of the islands that make up the Dutch Caribbean without a visa if you have a U.S. green card. This includes Aruba and Curaçao but also includes Bonaire, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten. If you are looking for a bit of sun and sea, these islands are ideal locations.
Keep in mind this doesn’t include the European part of the Netherlands. You will need a Schengen Visa to enter the Netherlands even if you have a U.S. green card.
You can read more about the requirements of entry for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of Netherlands here.
Canada
Your passport won’t be an issue if you are looking for a short trip and want to hop over the border to visit Canada. Everyone who has a U.S. green card can enter Canada without having to apply for a Canadian tourist visa, irrespective of their nationality.
If you are traveling by airplane, you will only need to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Canada. You can apply for an eTA online, and it’s really cheap. It only costs $7. When you arrive in Canada, you can present your eTA to the immigration officer together with your passport and green card.
If you are traveling by land, you will only need your passport and green card. You don’t have to apply for an eTA.
Costa Rica
Another great country you can visit without getting a visa is Costa Rica. Costa Rica is known for its warm and welcoming people and beautiful beaches, forests, and landscapes.
If you have a U.S. green card, you only need your passport, your green card, and a ticket showing you will leave the country within 30 days of arrival to enter. You don’t need to apply for a Costa Rica visa.
If you want to stay longer than 30 days, however, you will have to apply for your extended stay to be approved at the Office of Migration in Costa Rica.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the few countries in Europe that will allow U.S. green card holders to visit without a Schengen Visa or a Georgian visa. Like Costa Rica, you only have to show your passport, green card, and return ticket.
Even though Georgia isn’t on top of most people’s bucket lists, it is still a great country to visit. There are mysterious cave cities you can visit as well as Ushguli, Europe’s highest village.
You can stay in Georgia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa.
Mexico
Mexico is another American neighbor which you, as a U.S. permanent resident, can visit without a green card. You will only need to show your passport and U.S. green card to enter.
You will, however, still need to get a Mexico Tourist Card. This is different from a visa. You don’t have to go to a Mexican consulate or embassy to apply, and you don’t have to make a formal visa application.
Getting a Mexican Tourist Card is really easy. It is a bit pricier than a Canadian eTA, though. The price ranges from about $25 to $35.
Use one of the following ways to obtain your Mexican Tourist Card:
- If you are traveling by land, you can get your Mexican Tourist Card at your point of entry.
- If you are going by sea, you can get it at a Mexico port of call.
- If you are traveling by airplane, your airline might have already included it in your ticket and will distribute it once the plane arrives. If not, you can get it at an immigration desk after you arrive.
- You can also get your Mexican Tourist Card online. Just remember to print it and bring it along on your trip!
- If all else fails, you can go to a Mexican embassy and get one there.
Peru
If you are an Indian or Chinese national with a U.S. green card, you will be able to visit Peru without getting a visa first. If you love archaeology or ancient history, Peru is the place to go. Peru is the home to Machu Picchu and countless other ancient cultures and civilizations.
All you have to present at the entry point is your passport, U.S. green card, and onward flight ticket. If the immigration officials are satisfied, they will issue you a tourist card, which will allow you to stay in Peru for up to 90 days.
Singapore
Like Peru, you can transit through Singapore for up to 4 days without a visa if you are an Indian or Chinese national with a U.S. green card. If this is the case, you qualify for a Singaporean Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF). Keep in mind you can only use a VFTV once on your trip. So, you can only use it for either your onwards journey or your return journey.
The Balkans
The following Balkan countries will allow U.S. permanent residents to enter without a visa:
- Albania – you can stay in Albania for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa.
- North Macedonia – you can only visit North Macedonia for a maximum of 15 days without a visa.
- Montenegro – you can enter and pass through Montenegro for up to 30 days without a visa.
The British Virgin Islands
The only thing U.S. green card holders need to enter the British Virgin Islands is proof of accommodation in one of the islands, proof of your return ticket, your passport, and your green card. If you can show this, you can stay in the British Virgin Islands for up to 30 days without a visa.
Can Green Card Holders Travel Abroad without a Passport?
Unfortunately, if you don’t have a passport, you won’t be able to travel internationally on your green card only.
Read More
- Can I Stay More Than 6 Months Outside the U.S. with a Green Card?
- Green Card Process Steps: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Visa
- SSN Update After Green Card
- How Long Does it Take for USCIS to Make a Decision After an Interview?
- Can You Be Deported if You are Married to an American Citizen?
Final Thoughts
Now you know the answer to which countries you can visit with a green card. If you are planning to travel to any of the above-listed countries and you are a U.S. green card holder, you won’t need to apply for a visa before you go. Remember to pack your passport, though! You will still need to show your passport together with your green card before you enter.
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