specialagentheather Posted November 22, 2021 #1 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Hello. I think I already know the answer to this but I figured someone here might be able to confirm. I am thinking about booking a cruise for my boyfriend and I. He is a US resident but not yet a citizen. His greencard expired recently, but he has his application submitted for citizenship (which can take up to 12 months to process.) Can he cruise without a passport AND without up to date greencard? Would he be able to use just a social security card and driver's license as documentation for the cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted November 22, 2021 #2 Share Posted November 22, 2021 19 minutes ago, specialagentheather said: Hello. I think I already know the answer to this but I figured someone here might be able to confirm. I am thinking about booking a cruise for my boyfriend and I. He is a US resident but not yet a citizen. His greencard expired recently, but he has his application submitted for citizenship (which can take up to 12 months to process.) Can he cruise without a passport AND without up to date greencard? Would he be able to use just a social security card and driver's license as documentation for the cruise? He can use the green card but I believe it must be non-expired. He might also need his passport from his native country for the ports and maybe a visa. I would read what the CBP website says about it and what Carnival says about it as well. It might be easier (and less worrisome) to wait until his citizenship is granted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted November 22, 2021 #3 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Does he not have a passport for the country he is originally from? I wouldn't think he would have been able to enter the US without one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted November 22, 2021 #4 Share Posted November 22, 2021 12 minutes ago, sanger727 said: Does he not have a passport for the country he is originally from? I wouldn't think he would have been able to enter the US without one. As a permanent resident his green card is sufficient for re-entry, but he might need the passport from his original country for visiting some ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted November 22, 2021 #5 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Just now, sparks1093 said: As a permanent resident his green card is sufficient for re-entry, but he might need the passport from his original country for visiting some ports. No. I meant that if he is not a US citizen. Then the first time he came to the US, prior to becoming a resident and getting a green card; he must have had a passport from where he used to live. That passport may still be valid and if so, could be used on this cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted November 22, 2021 #6 Share Posted November 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, sanger727 said: No. I meant that if he is not a US citizen. Then the first time he came to the US, prior to becoming a resident and getting a green card; he must have had a passport from where he used to live. That passport may still be valid and if so, could be used on this cruise. Oh, got it. He can't use the original passport for re-entry to the US, he needs his green card for that because that is the document that shows his status (yes, the status is in the computer, but that isn't what they want at the port). I know that if it were me I wouldn't use the green card for cruising if it were expired but I do realize that it does cost money (and time) to renew them so it becomes a judgment call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ColeThornton Posted November 22, 2021 #7 Share Posted November 22, 2021 The OP may find this article helpful regarding green cards/travel: https://citizenpath.com/expired-green-card-problems/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted November 22, 2021 #8 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Same thread posted by OP on RCI forum. They will not allow him to board with an expired green card. A social security card does not show citizenship, since your boyfriend, who is not a citizen, has one. He is required to show a photo ID to ensure the face matches the name, and then a citizenship document to show where the name is a citizen. As noted, he most likely needs his former country's passport (hopefully not expired) to show citizenship at many non-US ports. Even if he makes it onboard, upon attempting to re-enter the US, the individual CBP officer can refuse entry, delay him for a significant time while they research his status, and/or fine him several thousand dollars. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProgRockCruiser Posted November 22, 2021 #9 Share Posted November 22, 2021 42 minutes ago, chengkp75 said: Same thread posted by OP on RCI forum. They will not allow him to board with an expired green card. A social security card does not show citizenship, since your boyfriend, who is not a citizen, has one. He is required to show a photo ID to ensure the face matches the name, and then a citizenship document to show where the name is a citizen. As noted, he most likely needs his former country's passport (hopefully not expired) to show citizenship at many non-US ports. Even if he makes it onboard, upon attempting to re-enter the US, the individual CBP officer can refuse entry, delay him for a significant time while they research his status, and/or fine him several thousand dollars. This. Renewing a green card is not cheap. But failing to renew a green card is waaaay more expensive if something should trip up - like a change in jobs or having to travel outside the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babygrljaz Posted November 22, 2021 #10 Share Posted November 22, 2021 expired 3 hours ago, specialagentheather said: Hello. I think I already know the answer to this but I figured someone here might be able to confirm. I am thinking about booking a cruise for my boyfriend and I. He is a US resident but not yet a citizen. His greencard expired recently, but he has his application submitted for citizenship (which can take up to 12 months to process.) Can he cruise without a passport AND without up to date greencard? Would he be able to use just a social security card and driver's license as documentation for the cruise? expired resident card is the same as an expired government id (dl or passport), not valid. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattrohead Posted November 22, 2021 #11 Share Posted November 22, 2021 You can apply to renew the green card and then have an extension added to his current card. Cost and time you will have to contact that gov dept. Good luck. I had a green card extended twice years back. It was taking them that long to process them even back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialagentheather Posted November 22, 2021 Author #12 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Thank you. So everything I'm reading says he needs to update his green card before he can cruise. But it's also saying a passport is REQUIRED for non citizens, is that correct? He does not have a passport. I know he went on a. Cruise several years ago... is the passport requirement a new rule? [He was born in Spain, but moved to the US as an infant. He has never been out of the country since and has no passport] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted November 22, 2021 #13 Share Posted November 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, specialagentheather said: Thank you. So everything I'm reading says he needs to update his green card before he can cruise. But it's also saying a passport is REQUIRED for non citizens, is that correct? He does not have a passport. I know he went on a. Cruise several years ago... is the passport requirement a new rule? [He was born in Spain, but moved to the US as an infant. He has never been out of the country since and has no passport] As he is not a US citizen, he is a Spanish citizen, and needs a Spanish passport, which his parents should have taken out for him long ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ferry_Watcher Posted November 22, 2021 #14 Share Posted November 22, 2021 (edited) If this situation was presented for an Alaskan cruise, I am sure that your boyfriend with an expired Green card would be denied boarding. If he presented documentation that his Green Card was in the process of being extended it would be seriously looked at by check-in supervisors and the ship's documentation officer. Even then they may tell him, that while technically he may be cleared for the cruise, he may be doing so at his own risk. The Custom and Border Protection Officers that cruise passengers see just as they disembark may have a different take on the situation. It may not be worth the risk to take a cruise at this time. The Green Card trumps the foreign national's passport. When checking in a passenger with a Green Card, the Green Card is swiped, not the foreign passport. This is why having an unexpired Green Card is so important. Edited November 22, 2021 by Ferry_Watcher 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted November 22, 2021 #15 Share Posted November 22, 2021 1 minute ago, Ferry_Watcher said: If this situation was presented for an Alaskan cruise, I am sure that your boyfriend with an expired Green card would be denied boarding. If he presented documentation that his Green Card was in the process of being extended it would be seriously looked at by check-in supervisors and the ship's documentation officer. Even then they may tell him, that while technically he may be cleared for the cruise, he may be doing so at his own risk. The Custom and Border Protection Officers that cruise passengers see just as they disembark may have a different take on the situation. It may not be worth the risk to take a cruise at this time. The Green Card trumps the foreign national's passport. When checking in a passenger with a Green Card, the Green Card is swiped, not the foreign passport. This is way having an unexpired Green Card is so important. The green card trumps the foreign passport, for the US. Other countries may or may not require his passport to show citizenship, since the green card only shows residency. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ferry_Watcher Posted November 22, 2021 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, chengkp75 said: The green card trumps the foreign passport, for the US. Other countries may or may not require his passport to show citizenship, since the green card only shows residency. Since I am 'boots on the ground' in Seattle I limit my answers/insight to the Alaskan cruises. Our Canadian neighbors accept US Green Cards as travel ID. I personally have checked in passengers traveling with current Green Cards whose country of birth included Embargoed and Sanctioned countries such as Cuba and Iran (and the passengers either had expired passports, or no passport). Of course when we have this type of scenario, a supervisor is called and approves it. The Green Card was all they needed. Ideally, we would want passengers to have both their Green Card, and their foreign passport, but with some Green Card holders it isn't always possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted November 23, 2021 #17 Share Posted November 23, 2021 (edited) Just out of curiosity. I guess I haven’t ever cruised without a passport. But just about ever trip that I have taken that was ‘international’ (along with every job and loan application I’ve filled out) has asked about both residency and citizenship. I take it he would list US residency and Spanish citizenship?? That is the only place he could run into an issue with no passport. If another country requires it of non-us citizens. Other countries don’t have a need to accept a US green card. Edited November 23, 2021 by sanger727 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialagentheather Posted November 26, 2021 Author #18 Share Posted November 26, 2021 On 11/22/2021 at 4:09 PM, chengkp75 said: As he is not a US citizen, he is a Spanish citizen, and needs a Spanish passport, which his parents should have taken out for him long ago. Funny enough...after some research...he is not a Spanish citizen either as neither of his parents were Spanish citizens when he was born (Mom from El Salvador and Dad from Italy (he thinks)) Apparently Spanish citizenship is not a birthright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted November 26, 2021 #19 Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) 17 minutes ago, specialagentheather said: Funny enough...after some research...he is not a Spanish citizen either as neither of his parents were Spanish citizens when he was born (Mom from El Salvador and Dad from Italy (he thinks)) Apparently Spanish citizenship is not a birthright He has to have some citizenship based on birth, whether location or parentage. His green card lists his country of birth. Does he not know his parents' nationality? Obviously, he has not traveled outside the US after the age of 16, since he does not have a passport. Even traveling to Mexico, he would need a green card and a non-expired passport. This likely needs to be dealt with by an immigration lawyer, unless he is planning on applying for US citizenship soon. Even to apply for citizenship, he needs to provide his passport, whether current or expired. Edited November 26, 2021 by chengkp75 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted November 26, 2021 #20 Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) 59 minutes ago, specialagentheather said: Funny enough...after some research...he is not a Spanish citizen either as neither of his parents were Spanish citizens when he was born (Mom from El Salvador and Dad from Italy (he thinks)) Apparently Spanish citizenship is not a birthright Ok. citizenship is a birthright. You have to be a citizen of somewhere. If he gets denied American citizenship and deported; he would have to be deported to somewhere. Just my 2 cents. Whether the cruise line allows him to book or not. With no passport, expired green card, and unknown nationality status - if I were him I wouldn't leave the US under any circumstances until he talks to a lawyer. Edited November 26, 2021 by sanger727 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted November 26, 2021 #21 Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) Just a point here: just because his green card has expired does not mean he is illegally in the country and can be deported. He is still a legal resident, just no ID card. I went through this with a friend several years ago. Immigration lawyers are expensive. You can apply online for the green card/extension. Likely he will have to go for an interview. It isn’t quick. EM Edited November 26, 2021 by Essiesmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ferry_Watcher Posted November 26, 2021 #22 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Wow, the situation becomes a bit more complicated. Thankfully, he already has his Green Card. Like our other CC friends, I would also urge him not to travel outside the US until he has his Green Card renewed and extended. Not worth the risk. With the new mystery surrounding his parental side of the family tree, it sounds like he maybe embarking on a personal journey to figure out his biological family. You might get him one of the DNA ancestry test kits that are on sale this weekend (assuming his wouldn't be offended by such a gift). Good luck with all this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialagentheather Posted November 30, 2021 Author #23 Share Posted November 30, 2021 So, just a little backstory as to why I made the post. My boyfriend and I have airline vouchers we can use to take a trip. Yay! Free trip! But as I started looking at the cost of hotel, food, and transportation and suddenly the free trip is starting to add up. I had this idea that maybe we could fly somewhere and take a cruise instead. I can find a cruise for less than I'm finding for JUST hotel. Unfortunately, as I have found out....that's not going to work with his residency/citizenship status :(. So now I'm trying to plan a non cruise vacation and I'm overwhelmed. Some options are Puerto Rico, St. Thomas (seems like that one might be expensive) or Miami. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISHCruising Posted November 30, 2021 #24 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Just a plug to get him to apply for naturalization. My husband was a legal resident/green card holder for 10 years, and just received his citizenship. It will make things more straight forward when you travel. He can also then apply for an American passport and you won't need to worry about any travel restrictions (well, except for Cuba...stupid embargo!). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bgcruising Posted November 30, 2021 #25 Share Posted November 30, 2021 On 11/22/2021 at 10:01 PM, specialagentheather said: Thank you. So everything I'm reading says he needs to update his green card before he can cruise. But it's also saying a passport is REQUIRED for non citizens, is that correct? He does not have a passport. I know he went on a. Cruise several years ago... is the passport requirement a new rule? [He was born in Spain, but moved to the US as an infant. He has never been out of the country since and has no passport] An unexpired green card is sufficient, just as easy with it as it is for a US passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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