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Have others had trouble reentering the US with an expired green card and extension letter?

Mar 25, 2026
a month ago
Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My Thai wife and I live in Los Angeles. We have applied to have conditions removed from her temporary green card, which has expired. As we wait for approval for the 10 year card. USCIS has extended the validity of the expired card for 48 months, good for “work and travel”

Given the greater visa scrutiny of 70 nations including Thailand, has anyone had any problems reentering the US, with an expired green card plus letter of extension?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares concerns about reentering the US with their Thai wife's expired green card, which has a 48-month extension from USCIS. They inquire about others' experiences with similar situations, particularly given heightened scrutiny for certain countries. Comments reveal mixed experiences; while some travelers reported no issues if carrying the extension letter, others express caution due to recent immigration policies and potential risks. The conversation highlights the importance of documentation and suggests waiting until conditions are clearer.
Dca *****
Why doesn't your Thai Wife File(Submit) USCIS Form N–400 Application for Naturalization to become an U.S. Citizen NOW if she has been a LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) for at least 3 years, or Early Filing of Form N–400 at 2 years + 9 months (90 Days Early Filing) from the day she became an U.S. PR (Resident Since Date on Green Card i–551)???
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Donald ******
Wear red hats, speak loudly and rudely to foreigners, and sneer your way thru. Good luck. At this time not worth being carted away by thugs pretending to be trained.
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Randy ******
ICE, ICE , BABY
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Dca *****
When to Apply to Remove the Conditions for a Joint Filing

If you are a conditional permanent resident, your Green Card will expire 2 years from the date you obtain conditional permanent residence.

If you do not apply to remove the conditions in time, you could lose your conditional permanent resident status and potentially be removed from the country.

If you are filing Form I-751 jointly with your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, you must file your Form I-751 within the 90-day period immediately before your Green Card expires.

Use our Filing Calculator to determine your 90-day filing date.

If You File Outside of the 90-Day Period

If you do not properly file Form I-751 within the 90-day period before your Green Card expires, your status as a conditional permanent resident automatically terminates.

We will:

Send you a notice telling you that you failed to remove the conditions; and

Begin removal proceedings against you by sending you a Notice to Appear at a hearing. At the hearing, you may review and rebut (deny) the evidence against you.

You must prove that you met the requirements of your conditional permanent resident status;

we do not need to prove that you did not meet the requirements.

If you file your Form I-751 after the 90-day period, you must include a written explanation for why you are filing late.

We will determine whether there was good cause for your failure to file your Form I-751 within the required time period

>
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Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
All this is done

Properly filed

No further docs needed

They told us to wait
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Helmut ********
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Dca *****
>
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Land *****
Don't do it until tRumps gone...
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Robert *****
Ice might grab her….be careful
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Thomas ********
Make sure you carry that letter of action with you at all times. Believe it is I-797. if I remember, the letter you mentioned foe the extension. They were not going to let my Thai wife leave Thailand until I found that document. Her green card was expired but the letter of action showed that it was still valid
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Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sure. The showing 797 is standard

I’m assuming this was before January this year.

Who is the “they”

Airline agents at checkin?
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Helmut ********
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Leonard ***********************
Why on Earth would want anybody want to stay in the US especially if you have a Thai wife and your eligible to live in Thailand this is just my opinion based on the current climate and culture here in America what a horrible country
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Ernesto ********
Leonard Kingston Miragliuolo most hard working Americans have 401ks and retirement account that have to be closed when we change to overseas addresses. America is the greatest country in the world. Everyone knows that.
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Leonard ***********************
Ernesto Galvan I lived here all my life, ran a business and worked outside for 50 years and nettired America is a disaster, , America is definitely not the greatest country on Earth start traveling to Asia. Everyone has isolated themselves in America and the government is horrible run by tyrant who actually I voted for he's destroying the world and my poor people in Thailand are suffering like my wife is over there so when you walk in my shoes then maybe you would understand
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Leonard ***********************
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Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m still working

But yes, you have the right idea

Retire in Thailand
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Leonard ***********************
Helmut Rudajs then again I'm in the USA, I'm not sure where you are sir I wish you and your wife the best
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Leonard ***********************
Helmut Rudajs I understand I'm stuck here too for 3 years I'm 63 retired early but I still want to wait I have a tie wife but unfortunately she's in Thailand it's really tough for me right now
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Leonard ***********************
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Michael *******
Recent experience departing US from Detroit to Korea…walked a gauntlet of CBP agents asking questions of everyone boarding plane…never, ever before this experience…
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Larry *********
Why do you want to risk your wife?
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Randy ******
Larry JohnsonBecause the ole lady wants to see her buffalo in Issan ?
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Randy ******
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John ********
My wife was in the same scenario and we have traveled to Thailand twice in the past three years. Just need to travel with the green card and the letter from USCIS stating the extension for 48 months and had no issues. For us it will be three years in August so hoping soon to get her 10 year green card.
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Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So your travel back there was before the recent decision by President Trump (think January 26 or thereabouts)

to scrutinize more intently certain countries? 
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John ********
The last time we went was April 2025 haven’t been back since so it might be harder now I can just let you know the experience we had good luck anyways
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John ********
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Wannikea *********
Why on earth would you want to risk anything with US immigration these days?
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Randy ******
Wannikea WanbleeObviously, someone who never had a relationship with a human woman
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Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
?
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Helmut ********
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Helmut ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good question

I want to find out the experience from other people, to assess the risk, or if there is a risk

She has not been back to Thailand for two years
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Jay *******
Helmut Rudajs I wouldn't want to take that risk with all the ramped up scrutiny and uncertainty. Just wait a year until things become more clear and settle down. The risk may be small, but what a huge loss if she gets denied entry.
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Jay *******
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Ralph *******
I’ve read of issues.
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Ralph *******
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