Replace a valid green card with a visit visa
My wife and I have valid USA green cards. We are Egyptians. Our daughter is American and lives permanently in the States. We don't like to keep the green cards, as we will never move permanently to the States. We need only to visit our daughter for short periods once a year. Is it possible to submit back the green cards and apply for visit visas? How can I do this?
Best Answer
Yes, this is possible; I have done it, though it was about a decade ago. I can't remember which form I completed to surrender my lawful permanent resident status, but it currently seems to be an I-407. It was surrendered when I was applying to enter the US. Once it was done I was admitted for that trip, but strongly advised to apply for a US B1/B2 visa even though I'm a citizen of a visa-waiver country.
When I did apply, after my return home, the application process was thorough, but it seemed fair, and the visa was approved. However, I don't think the US government plays games like "I'd like to surrender this green card, but only on condition that I get a visa", so you are taking the risk that your visa(s) won't be approved, and you'll find yourselves unable to visit your daughter. Note also that visas can be pretty easily revoked, which is not true for LPR status, and that possession of a visa is no guarantee of admission. You'd be putting yourself at the whims of the current US president and his tendency to make decrees affecting the travel of citizens of arbitrary nations, and you may not wish to do that.
But yes, it is perfectly possible.
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Can I change my green card for a tourist visa?
You will need to sign a form confirming your desire to relinquish your status (Form I-407) and surrender your green card. Even though you do not have a visitor's visa in your passport, you can still be admitted as a visitor if you sign Form I-193 - waiving the visa requirement.Can a tourist apply for a green card?
You can apply for a green card to become a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. while you're visiting on a tourist visa if you meet certain specific requirements, discussed in more detail below.Can I apply for tourist visa while waiting for green card?
If you intend taking up permanent residence in the United States, you are required to wait until the immigrant or fianc\xe9(e) visa is issued. You cannot reside in the U.S. on a tourist visa or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program while waiting the issuance of the visa.Can I come back to us if my green card expired?
To re-enter the United States, the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer requires proof of your lawful permanent resident status. An expired Green Card is not considered valid proof. At the discretion of the CBP officer, you could be refused entry or charged with an expensive re-entry fee.US Tourist Visa To Green Card
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