In case of an emergency, and before leaving the United States, you should know what documents will be required to reenter the United States as well as understand whether or not your departure will negatively impact your application(s) for immigration benefits.

As a general rule, any person who is not a U.S. citizen or non-citizen U.S. national is subject to immigration review each time the person seeks admission to the United States from any place outside the United States.  Even if you have already been admitted as a permanent resident (you have a green card) you are subject to review by an immigration official.  If, during such review, you are determined to be inadmissible (even though you may have been admissible previously), you may be denied admission.

If you are seeking admission or parole at a port of entry you generally must have in your possession a valid and unexpired travel document (e.g. a green card, U.S. visa, an advance parole document) to present to the officer at the port of entry.

Depending on your immigration status or if you have an application for an immigration benefit pending, different types of travel documents may be required if you (including permanent residents) wish to return to the United States lawfully after travel abroad.  These documents should be applied for, in certain cases, prior to your departure from the United States.  Please see the "Travel Documents"  link to the left for more information on the types of travel documents.