What are the re-entry visa requirements for U.S. Green Card holders traveling to Thailand?

Jan 2, 2024
a year ago
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My wife holds a Thai passport and a American green card. We were booked to leave yesterday morning. Upon checking in at the airline counter they notified us she would need a "re-entry" visa to return to America. I did a quick Google on the process and couldn't get a satisfactory time line, so we aborted the trip. I did a search of this forum but only found info. on re-entry permit for coming back into Thailand. Never have we needed one before. What's up?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user experienced confusion regarding their wife's ability to travel to America on her American Green Card, which allegedly required a re-entry visa. This claim was brought up at the airline check-in, leading to them aborting their trip. Several comments discussed typical re-entry procedures, clarifying that Green Card holders can generally re-enter the U.S. without a visa if they have been outside the country for less than a year. A series of experiences from other users were shared, highlighting misunderstandings and automation errors in the check-in process that led to this situation.
SimĂŁo ****************
Seriously I hate it when the airlines staff act like god-damned police!

I almost lost my flight coming from Bali because the girl at the counter claimed my passport was fake because there was wrong digit in it (on the barcode it seems like a zero and it's actually an O)

It's just insulting! Passport control, no questions just smile and stamp kraaaa

The reason I came it's because I had literally to cause drama and I pulled the embassy card, it always work in case things don't go well in a polite way. I hate being a Karen, but that's life đŸ€Ł
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@SimĂŁo ***************
I'm actually glad they told us so I could correct it. If Thai wifey got on the plane and we didn't find out she needed a re-entry visa at the last minute and she missed her flight back as it might take weeks to get the visa, it would cause he'll with her job, and she has a really important job.
David *****
Airline got it wrong
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ****
No, it was all Immigration, punched it in wrong. The airline has no visa processing power
T ****************
“They” are wrong, as often is the case with airline employees. USCIS officials are the ones to ask, not uninformed airline employees
 if she has a green card, she is a legal US resident.
Peter ********
@T ***************
Immigration not customs. But yes.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@T ***************
airline employees don't unilaterally make decisions on who needs a re-entry visa and who doesn't. That is done exclusively by the USCIS IN America. Which appears to be the case here but in error
T ****************
@Kevin *********
I am aware of that. Some give their, incorrect, advice.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@T ***************
It's the Citizenship and Immigration Services. They document and regulate everything. The airlines are a pay for transportation publicly traded for profit enterprise. They wouldn't care if you were from Mars.
Peter ********
@Kevin *********
How does this work? I assume it’s automated. Are rejects checked by a human?
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *******
No it appears all automated. I know they have records of flight records and days spent out of the country. So, apparently when a LPR buys a international ticket the USCIS system does some sort of an eligibility check
Peter ********
@Kevin *********
Interesting thanks. pretty much what you’d expect I guess. I’d love to see what they can see on their screens when you enter. Probably extremely boring for most people. I find they always ask how long you’ve been out of the country. I’m sure they know. Must be just a check if you lie or not.
Neil ********
Sounds like you might be able to claim the cost of the flight on the basis of stupidity ( I mean lack of experience) 😂
Peter ********
@Neil *******
My (US) friend who got rejected at Eugene for travel to Cambodia and Thailand was rebooked by United for free the next day when I called the 1K desk to complain. He basically didn’t know how to handle the situation. Like most people.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *******
Good ol' Maylon Sweet airport. I need to get back to Eugene
Peter ********
@Kevin *********
Normally they are so helpful there. Actually the check in next day was. She didn’t even check the record as far as he could see.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil *******
They rescheduled her to leave tomorrow am and kept the flight coming back, no charge
Merlyn ******
My wife was out and in many times as green card holder never a question of re-entry. Might have to do with how long outside country though. There are restrictions there
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So it's been an interesting day. Started off trying to call USCIS (American Citizenship and Immigration Services) but to no avail. All I got was an automated voice. Finally I got the the secret formula from YouTube on how to reach a live attendant and it worked. My suspicion (and my wife's also) was her Green Card had somehow been revoked or suspended. Attendant said it was fully operational and she shouldn't need a Re-entry visa to return. So my wife and I went to the airport counter where we were the day before and asked for a supervisor (the airport was packed) the agent that helped us yesterday was off. Long story short, the notation from the day before had been removed, the supervisor changed out tickets to tomorrow am, and kept our return flight no charge. This was some sort of glitch thru USCIS and I'm glad I persevered to get to the bottom of it. But, it appears that's what happen, my wife's Green Card was somehow suspended, not sure for how long, and reinstalled when I called this morning đŸ€” bit happy ending. And thank you everyone for your help and advice. I'm not sure I would have sprang out of bed like a tiger without all of your motivation.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Merlyn *****
Same here. A year ago I would have posted exactly what you did.
Dca *****
@Kevin *********
From these circumstances and the fact that the airline received these messages through their reservation/booking/ticketing system, then submit a submittal ("complaint") via the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) TRIP System, where, at the very least, a Redress Control Number would be generated and would help resolve your issues with any airline system (for air ticket destinations into the U.S.)

Steps:

1.) Select None of the Above;

2.) Select Air Travel;

3.) Select My complaint is related to my experience arriving in or departing from the United States;

4.) Select I Require a Review & a Response;

5.) For Where Did This Happen? = Foreign;

6.) For Migrant Registration Number (LPR Number) = A#

>
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Dca *****
if CBP is not able to give you a successful Redress Control Number, then all else fails could be to apply for a Returning Resident U.S. Visa at the U.S. Embassy (last resort)....
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
I talked to CBD, and it's not their jurisdiction. This appears to have been put on by USCIS as a suspension or revocation of her Green Card in error as when I talked to the agent there was kind of an "OOPSIE" in his voice and it had been removed when I went to the airport.
Dca *****
@Kevin *********
Wish you and your family ssfe travels for a good resolution to your dilemma.....Thankfully, you got thru to CBP quickly, as trying to contact USCIS takes forever, or, a task in perseverance of waiting on the phone for hours.....
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
actually I got a formula from a 3 minute YouTube video by an Immigration Attorney and got right thru to a live body after numerous unsuccessful attempts and disconnects. It was crazy
Dca *****
@Kevin *********
Sawatdee again! If you wouldn't mind, then could you please forward a link to that YouTube video for USCIS Contact Center live help tip/formula, or via DM/private message? If not, then that's okay too! Thank you very much in advance!
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
it's Bovino Law Group "How do I speak to a live person at USCIS". on YouTube. I'm not in front of my computer but search on YouTube or google
Dca *****
@Kevin *********
Thanks again! Also, it might be of help to others >
****************************
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
thanks, that's what I needed
Dca *****
@Kevin *********
Thanks a lot! It is greatly appreciated!
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
no worries
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
It was on YouTube AND IT WORKED. Let me see if I saved it or can find it.
Janne ***********
i've had a green card for 43 years and never heard of this. and i recently retired with over 35 years for a major US carrier, and if you were leaving the USA then there is no reason to be stopped if you have the valid passport for the destination Thailand. very very strange.
Andy *********
My wife has a Vietnamese passport, and a US Greencard. She's been in the US since 2006. Starting in 2016, we started staying in Thailand or Vietnam for extended periods, mostly right at 6 months, but once almost 11 months. Didn't travel 2020 until 2022 because of covid. Spent about 9 months/year, in 2 trips each year in Thailand. Last entry to US, in Minneapolis, we were told by immigration officer she had been out of country mostly for the last 2 years, and they could revoke her green card. This would have to be documented and us warned. So they did. Both officers were very rude. We have all things suggested that one needs to prove you have no intention of living out of the country - but neither officer was interested in seeing or listening to that. I pointed out that one reason we were out for extended periods was medical treatment, and the difference in cost, that I have records, and have brought meds back with me. He was only interested that I didn't bring 'over the legal' limit back. Was a disgusting experience - especially when you consider what is happening at the US southern border. Our first entry at that airport, and only one plane arriving, they had pulled at least a dozen people in for further "investigation". Oddly enough, leaving the country from Detroit, there were customs agents in the jetway questioning and searching people to see if they were carrying excess cash out of the country. They seemed to be only questioning Asians, or mixed Asian couples. They were about as rude too. Those were the 1st times such had happened in over 20 years of travel.
Joshua **********
Is her green card expired? Because that all she needs. Assuming she not been out the states for more than a year. But even then she’ll get flagged at entry state side.
Bill ********
I left SGF one time to return to Thailand and check in guy try to tell I needed a re entry from Thailand to be able to fly.
Michael *******
Very strange.
Peter ********
Airlines do get it wrong. United at Eugene wouldn’t let a friend of mine in the plane. The 1K desk said that’s nonsense. He went the next day with his record updated by United. It’s a good reason to only travel US airlines. They do screw up but they can fix it. Not so sure about some Asian airline that is $10 lower fare.
John ********
@Peter *******
no US airlines fly to Thailand
Peter ********
@John *******
Well of course I know that. I’m not totally stupid. But you buy a ticket from a US airline that has a real code share for the final sector so that you are fully in an American computer. Even then there can be issues. As I said. I hope this clarifies your point.
John ********
@Peter *******
you really have no idea what you’re talking about boy
Peter ********
@John *******
oh really? Says who? How many million miles do you have on which airlines son? I’m intrigued after a comment like that. Real frequent flyers don’t make comments like yours. They are above that. Normally 35,000 feet above. 😂
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *******
This was something inserted by our government. I'm going to get to the bottom when immigration office opens tomorrow. Go Ducks
Peter ********
@Kevin *********
scary if true. And probably true. Or some rule they gave the airlines. Same thing really. Airlines are scared s-less of this stuff. Massive fines for breaking the rules.
Sarick **********
Green card holders must not reside outside the US more than 1 year, unless they have applied for a reentry before their trip aboard. If she is denied the entry, she needs to reinstate her green card first while in Thailand.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sarick *********
Yes well aware of that but not the case here. She hadn't even left America for her 1 month trip yet. this all happen at the check in counter
Dca *****
What type of U.S. permanent residency/Greed Card does she have? Is it a Conditional Green Card with validity for 2-3 years? Or, is it the full U.S. Green Card with validity for 10 years?

Also, since there have been multiple trips outside of the U.S. with the Green Card, how many trips total and what was the length of each trip outside the U.S. ?

These may seem like intrusive and invasive questions, but to pinpoint why the system flagged down someone holding an unexpired U.S. Green Card that has, for this trip, been outside the U.S. for less than 1 year, then these particular questions would help pinpoint if the system flagged her as abadoning her U.S. permanent residency or not....
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Her conditions were removed 8/
*****
*******
. She has gone back to Thailand 5 times since she was awarded her Green Card in November, 2014 for usually about a month.
Brian *********
Unless you omitted details this simply isn't true, is easily found on the US immigration site (as referenced already). So I'm not entirely certain why a google at the counter couldn't yield this information for you, took me 90 seconds to confirm. The counter worker for an airline has no business or benefit doing this when they're clearly wrong and a higher level of authority needed to be included.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ********
It was on their computer screen highlighted in bold that my wife would need a re-entry visa upon her return in February. It wasn't a unilateral decision made by the counter lady
Brian *********
@Kevin *********
understood. Still wrong, but anyway. By far would not be the first person to parrot wrong information. I would be compelled to in the least, contact that airline, express your grievance identifying it was wrongful and to compensate you. Just my opinion. 👍
Al ********
Someone gave you miss information. Green card is all you need. The link provided explains this.
Glen ********
I can only talk about Australia. My wife is a Permanent Resident and can reenter for 5 years after the grant, after that she needs a reentry visa. For $500 of course.

They started by refusing to give reentry visas to people seen as undesirable.
Jeffrey *********
@Glen *******
That is not the case for the US.
Peter *********
Crazy đŸ€Ș
Brett **********
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Christian ****************
Our lawyer specializing in Visa and immigration matters might be able to answer you on that. His name is Wuttichai, you can reached him at 081 441 1668.
Jeffrey *********
The green card itself should be all that is needed to enter the US as long as the holder has been abroad less than one year. If she has been out more than a year, she should have applied for a reentry permit before departing the United States. You can Google "US reentry permit" for more info.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
I have and did at the airport prior to eating the ticket cost and aborting flight. Again, she has been back and forth several times, never an issue but she couldn't risk not being able to return to America
Jeffrey *********
@Kevin *********
How long has she been out of the US on this trip? Did the check-in staff misunderstand or misread her travel dates?
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
It was on their computer and check in said it was done by the US Government
Jeffrey *********
@Kevin *********
That's just very strange - I wasn't aware that the US would be checking the reentry qualifications of someone DEPARTING the US. Did they show you the message that they said came from US authorities?
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
Yes, she turned the screen and showed me the notation
James **********
@Kevin *********
How long has she been out of the USA ?
Jeffrey *********
@James *********
The OP has explained that she's still in the US and was trying to board the first leg of a round-trip journey to Thailand (I had also assumed she was in Bangkok and trying to return to the US).
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
she was just set to leave and return to America in 30 days. Our itinerary says Jan. 1 2024 departure and Feb. 12, 2024 return.
David *********
There are also limits when applying for citizenship. It’s been a while but if she is applying, check out the rules.
Goudoune ************
Quiproquo....
Ta ************
Reentry permit is required for green card holders only if they intend to be absent for more than 1 year. Less than one year, they can reenter with just the green card.
Will ************
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Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will ***********
This is what we thought and how it's always been for her but they flagged her airline ticket and put in bold dark print that she would need a re-entry permit upon return
Steve **********
I’ve never heard of this. My wife had a green card and we left and re-entered so many times. We lived outside of America for years and we would return within the 12 month time frame with nothing other than the green card with zero issues. This is new to me.
Kevin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
this was new to us too. I will dive deeper into it and keep you posted
Steve **********
Additionally, we were told she only needed a permit if our stay outside of America exceeded 364 days.
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