Immigrant Visas

-Conditional Residents
-Transportation letters
-Returning Residents

How do I maintain my status as a lawful resident of the United States?

A lawful permanent resident or a conditional resident of the United States will maintain status provided he/she maintains a bona fide domicile in the United States and does not remain outside the country for more than one year. A resident in possession of a re-entry permit issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United Sates may remain outside the United States until the date the permit expires, which is usually two years from the date of issuance.

Important:

Conditional residents of the United States who fail to file an application to have conditional resident status removed will be required to apply for a new immigrant visa.

My "green card" is lost. Can I get a new one at the Embassy?

Only offices of the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States can issue replacement Permanent Resident Cards. The Embassy can issue a transportation letter for a return trip to the United States. Transportation letters may only be issued to Permanent Resident Aliens who are returning to the United States after an absence of less than one year.

For further information on how to apply for a transportation letter please click here.

I have been outside the United States for longer than 12 months. How can I go back?

Persons who have been outside the United States for more than one year may be eligible for returning resident status.

What can I do if my card has expired?

Airline companies have been advised that they may transport a permanent resident of the United States with an expired permanent resident card back to the United States, provided that the passenger has his/her permanent resident card, the card was valid for ten years, and the holder has not been outside the United States for more than twelve months.

Can I abandon my Lawful Permanent Resident Status?

If you wish to abandon your permanent residence, please complete form I-407 , Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Residence and bring it together with your "green card" to the Immigrant Visa Section of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except for United States and Polish public holidays

Note: Abandoning your permanent residence in the U.S. does not guarantee that a nonimmigrant visa will be issued to you.

I'm a Lawful Permanent Resident and my child was just born in Poland. How can I bring my child to the U.S.?

Your child does not need a visa to enter the United States provided that:
▪ the child was born during the mother’s temporary visit abroad
▪ his/her admission to the U.S will be within two years of birth; and
▪ either accompanying parent is applying for readmission upon first return after the birth of the child.

The child will be able to travel to the U.S with a transportation letter.