If you hold a valid US green card, you can visit Mexico as a tourist without any hassle. However, keep in mind you need a Mexico Tourist Card to cross the border.
If you are a permanent or conditional permanent resident who has been outside the U.S. for one year or longer, apply for a re-entry permit before you travel. Use Form I-131 - Application for Travel Document. For permanent residents, the re-entry permit is valid for two years from the date of issue.
To ask about emergency processing of a travel document, call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or request an appointment through My Appointment. If your situation qualifies for emergency processing, we will schedule an appointment for you with a local field office.
Ing to USCIS data from 2023, the average processing time for Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) varies between 3 to 7 months, depending on the service center handling the case and the specific category (e.g., refugee travel document, re-entry permit).
To apply for a re-entry permit, you must file Form I-131 (“Application for Travel Document”). This form collects details about your planned trip, your foreign travel since becoming a green card holder, and whether you've been properly filing U.S. tax returns.
You do not need an I-94 travel record if you are: A U.S. citizen: Natural-born or naturalized citizens of the United States. A lawful permanent resident (green card holder): Someone with the right to live and work permanently in the U.S.
Most green card holders will need to present the passport from the country where they're a citizen, or in some cases, their refugee travel document. You should also be sure to have your green card on you for the duration of the trip. And remember different countries have different requirements for entry.
If you are a permanent or conditional permanent resident who has been outside the U.S. for one year or longer, apply for a re-entry permit before you travel. Use Form I-131 - Application for Travel Document. For permanent residents, the re-entry permit is valid for two years from the date of issue.
Certain non-citizens may file the I-131 application to request various travel documents like a reentry permit, refugee travel document, or advance parole document. The I-131A is strictly for use by permanent residents who require temporary documentation in order to return to the U.S.
Provide proof of lawful permanent residence such as your Green Card (Form I-151, I-551), Re-entry Permit/Travel Document, etc. Tell us your dates of travel outside of the U.S. (airline tickets, boarding passes, passport stamps, etc.)