Permanent Resident Card Issues

This chapter covers what to do if you are outside the U.S. and:

1. your permanent resident card was lost or stolen;
2. your permanent resident card has expired;
3. you wish to abandon your U.S. resident status;

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website provides information and directions necessary to apply for Permanent Resident Cards, aka Alien Registration Receipt Cards (ARC), aka 'green cards', including renewal or replacement such cards.  A 'green card' is proof of one's Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status and required for readmission to the United States.

1. Lost or Stolen Permanent Resident Card

Permanent residents visiting or transiting the Netherlands who have lost their valid I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card, 'green card', can request the Consulate General to issue them a so called Transportation Letter, a field expedient one-entry document to help them get back home.  You should not leave the U.S. again until you have applied for and received your new card.  You can apply for your replacement card electronically now, through the USCIS website.

To apply for a Transportation Letter in Amsterdam, the Permanent Resident should bring the following:

• A valid passport

• A completed lost/stolen permanent resident card form.  (Click on the link, print and answer ALL questions as best you can.)

• His/her alien registration number (A-number aka green card number, consisting of A-0 + eight digits)

• Three recent 2" x 2" passport photographs. Click here for U.S. style photo specifications.

• Application fee of $165, to be paid in cash or by credit card

• Police report of stolen or lost permanent resident card

• Evidence of last departure from the U.S. (for example airline (e-)ticket or boarding pass)

The Consular officer can only consider issuing a transportation letter upon verification of your status by the USCIS.  As the Consulate General does not have direct access to USCIS records this may take from one to several days, usually no more than five workdays.  For this process it is imperative that you provide us with your A-number (alien registration card number). Once permission is granted you will get an appointment to pick up your transportation letter. Transportation letters will not be mailed.

If you do not have your principal residence in the U.S. but live overseas, you probably have lost your U.S. resident status.  In that case you cannot apply for a transportation letter and you are advised to follow the abandoning procedure below.

When can one apply for a transportation letter in Amsterdam?

This is a walk-in service available during our regular immigration service opening hours, which are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.  Wednesday and Fridays there are no walk-in immigration services available.

If possible e-mail or fax the information requested by our lost/stolen permanent resident card form in advance to:  ImmigrantVisasAms@state.gov or (0)20-679 0321, so we can get started on verifying your status before you can come in to make your formal application for a transportation letter.

2. Expired Permanent Resident Card

When outside the U.S. with an expired permanent resident card you should not apply for a transportation letter but electronically file form I-90 for your new card through the USCIS website.  Hand carry your receipt of filing and payment when boarding for your flight home.

If you do not have your principal residence in the U.S., but live overseas you probably have lost your U.S. resident status.  In that case you cannot apply for a new card and you are advised to follow the abandoning procedure below.

3. Abandoning your Permanent Resident Status

If you no longer reside in the U.S., or if you are otherwise subject to loss of permanent resident status, you must abandon your claim to that status by filing form I-407 with the Consulate General.  Often an immigration inspector at port of entry into the U.S., if he has determined you are no longer considered to have your residence in the U.S., will advise you to do so upon your return to the Netherlands.  The form I-407 can be downloaded here and is to be presented, with your passport, and your permanent resident card ('green card')* to the Consular officer during the immigrant visa service opening hours.  Your passport will receive an I-407 filed stamp and we'll provide you with a few copies of the I-407 signed by the Consular officer.  One of these copies you may, for instance, send to the IRS to prove you no longer reside in the U.S.

All over age 14 must come in person as the I-407 is to be signed in front of a consular officer. Children under age 14 do not have to come in as a parent can sign the child's I-407. But we do require the child's passport.

*If you are no longer in possession of your card, please bring any other official USCIS document, e.g. correspondence, entries in (expired) passport(s), etc., showing your alien registration number (A-number).