Citizens of the US are allowed to fly to 184 countries worldwide visa free. As a result, several countries have granted the same right to those who have lawful permanent resident status. However, foreign nationals residing in the United States who hold a Green Card are allowed to travel without a visa to some non-US countries.
You can only fly abroad with your residence permit if you are traveling to a country that grants equal rights to US residents.
Countries that Green Card holders can travel to without a visa
Below you can find the list of some countries that Green Card holders can travel to without the need of having a visa.
Canada
Traveling to Canada is simple if you have a valid US Green Card. However, you do need to obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), in other words a permission that grants you access to legally cross the border with Canada.
Once you reach the border of Canada, you will only need to show your eTA to the border agents. You will however, be asked to also present your passport and Green Card as well.
Find out more about Green Card from these articles:
- Can I Travel if the Names on My Passport and Green Card Don’t Match?
- Traveling within the US with Only a Mexican Passport [Your Questions Answered]
- Ensure your Green Card Photo Meets DV Lottery Requirements
- Can You Travel With a Damaged Passport? [Ultimate Guide]
- Passport Validity for Travel to India [2024 & Beyond]
- Passport Expiration Rules for Mexico: When Can You Travel?
- Emergency Travel with an Expired Passport
Mexico
Similar to Canada, when travelling to Mexico, you will also have to show your passport and your Green Card.
Nevertheless, you do need one of the following to get a Mexico Tourist Card:
- You’ll get one from the aircraft crew if you are traveling by plane.
- Another way is to print your online tourist card and bring it with you.
- Before you fly, you can get one at the Embassy of Mexico in the US
- At the immigration office after your arrival in Mexico.
- If you’re traveling by sea, you can collect it at the port call.
- At the entry point if you are traveling by land.
Belize
For Belize, you will need a passport that has been valid for a period of at least 6 (six) months after the end of your stay. You will need a copy of your Green Card that has been notarized, a visa registration form, and evidence of appropriate funds needed for your stay in Belize.
- Costa Rica
- Virgin Islands of Britain
- Dominican republic
- Jamaica.
Costa Rica
With a Green Card you can visit Costa Rica’s natural parks, beautiful islands and enjoy the tropical weather. A Green Card is all you need in order to travel to Costa Rica. Thus, a visa will not be required.
The necessary documents are:
- a valid passport
- the Green Card
- the booked ticket which indicates the return date.
With a Green Card you can only stay for up to 30 (thirty) days. If you are looking to stay longer then you will be required to apply for an extension.
Georgia
There are also some European countries that you can visit with a Green Card, one of them being Georgia. You might know Georgia for its splendid wines, but that’s not all you can look forward to when visiting this country. In Georgia, you can visit many beautiful sites, old town streets, parks, and some breathtaking mountains.
A visa will not be required for your visit for Green Card holders. As for the documents, they are similar to those necessary when traveling to other countries: you will need your passport, Green Card, and boarding pass. As a Green Card holder you will be able to stay in Georgia for up to 90 (ninety) days visa free.
The Balkans
The Balkans are an absolutely stupendous area of Southern Europe, including countries like Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. These three countries allow Green Card holders to visit them visa free for a maximum of:
- 90 days within a 180-day period – Albania
- 30 days – Montenegro
- 15 days – North Macedonia.
The upside of visiting Balkan countries is that they’re a lot more affordable than their more mainstream European counterparts such as, for example, France, Spain, or the UK. They have tons of wonderful attractions and absolutely phenomenal views to offer, and they’re also more low-key in terms of tourist traffic.
Virgin Islands of Britain
If you are looking for a beautiful place with gorgeous beaches and a place to spend an amazing summer, then these British Islands are definitely a destination you should take a look at.
Besides your Green Card you will need your passport, return flight ticket, and also proof of accommodation on the islands.
US Green Card holders can stay for a maximum of 30 (thirty) days visa free in the British Virgin Islands.
Curaçao and Aruba
With their amazing swimming spots and underwater life, these two countries have a lot to offer to their tourists.
All you’ll need is your Green Card, and you’ll be good to go and have an amazing time on any of the picturesque beaches of Curacao and Aruba.
Singapore
Singapore is yet another wonderful location that Green Card holders can visit without a visa. However, US permanent residents will only be able to enjoy Singapore visa free for 4 (four) days unless they happen to be happy holders of either a Chinese or Indian passport.
If they fulfill the specified criteria, Chinese and Indian citizens are qualified for the Singaporean Visa Free Transit Facility:
- travel by sea or air
- have a legitimate plane ticket or ferry ticket booked for the next 96 hours from Singapore
- are granted a Green Card.
Peru
Peru is yet another state where you can travel with a Green Card only if you are an Indian or Chinese citizen.
You have probably heard of Peru’s destinations such as Machu Picchu or other historical sites, sometimes filled with mysteries that have yet to be uncovered. If you are obsessed with history and archaeology then Peru can offer just that.
The documents you need are: a passport, boarding pass, and your Green Card. Once you reach the entry point, you will be granted a tourist card which will serve as evidence of how long you plan to stay in Peru. You cannot stay for longer than 90 days.
Traveling to European countries with a Green Card
Green Card holders’ travel to Europe is limited to only a few non-EU countries, as some European states provide a visa waiver to Green Card holders where you will not be required to have a valid visa to travel.
It all depends on which country’s passport you hold. For instance, if the citizens of your country of origin are normally required to apply for a Schengen visa (or any other European country’s tourist visa) prior to a Euro trip, then as a US Green Card holder you will still be required to apply for such a visa.
If you do obtain a Schengen visa, you will be allowed to stay in the Schengen Area (which includes 26 countries) for a period of up to 90 days.
Can I travel to the UK with only a Green Card?
Unfortunately, you cannot. Even if you do have a US Green Card, you will still be required to obtain a UK visa to travel to the UK.
The UK visa program requires residents of many nations (which are mostly EU and Commonwealth nations) to be granted visa-free access for up to six months. You would have to request a regular UK visitor visa if you don’t come from any of the countries listed in the visa exemptions.
Do I need a passport if I have a Green Card?
The short answer is yes. A valid passport will be required regardless whether you have a Green Card or not.
You won’t be allowed to fly abroad if you don’t hold a valid passport. When you cross a country’s border, whether by land or air, the border officials will most likely ask for your passport and probably a visa or residency permit.
In certain situations, you won’t be asked to show your passport at the border. Only citizens of neighboring countries or regions with an arrangement of some kind in place (such as Schengen Area citizens) do not need to display a passport.
Get your US Green Card photo with Passport Photo Online
If you need to get your Green Card photo (or any other document photo for that matter) fast, you can help yourself with our US passport photo tool to easily get your shot online – Passport Photo Online. All you will need to do is upload a photo for your Green Card and within a few seconds, it will be sent to you via email.
Our AI tools automatically crop the photo to the required size and fix any possible mistakes in the image. You will also be notified right away in case of any errors in your picture, and prompted to retake your shot and upload it again. You won’t be charged for any additional photos you take or upload, just your final, polished picture.
Passport Photo Online app has been recognized by Forbes, National Geographic, Yahoo!, and Glamour, and has served a million users since its inception 7 years ago.
Visa free countries for US Green Card holders – wrap up
The US Green Card has been known for its many benefits, and one of them is definitely the ability to travel to some exquisite locations around the world visa free.
Some of the visa free countries that you can enjoy visiting as a Green Card holder include Albania, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Peru, and more.
Each one of these countries has their own established maximum period of stay, the shortest one being 4 days (Singapore). Always make sure that you have a valid passport, with a minimum of 6-month validity to be on the safe side.
Visa free countries for US Green Card holders: FAQ
I am a Green Card holder. Can I travel to Europe visa free?
As a Green Card holder you can visit a couple European countries, including Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. If you’re planning to visit an EU country, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa that will allow you to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.
What countries can I travel to as a Green Card holder?
The visa free countries that US permanent residents with a Green Card can travel to are: Albania, Aruba, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Georgia, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Peru, and Singapore.
As a Green Card holder, do I need a tourist visa to travel to Mexico?
You won’t need a tourist visa to travel to Mexico, but you will be required to obtain a tourist card, which you can either apply for online before your trip, get it on the plane, or upon your arrival in Mexico.
Will I need a visa to travel to Canada as a US permanent resident?
If you have a valid Green Card you won’t need to apply for a Canadian visa in order to travel, however if you plan to cross the USA-Canada border by plane you will have to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
How long can Green Card holders stay in Peru visa free?
Upon your arrival in Peru, an immigration officer will give you a tourist card that will include the maximum amount of time that you can spend in Peru visa free – it will usually be a period of no longer than 90 days.
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Ledjan is a graduate in Business Management and Marketing from Epoka University. His proficiency in French adds an international dimension to his professional skill set, increasing our team’s ability to engage with a diverse, global clientele.
