Legal Permanent Residents

Lost or Stolen Alien Registration Cards

If your alien registration card has been lost, stolen or left in the U.S., you will need a transportation letter to travel back to the United States as a legal permanent resident.  Only those who have been outside the United States for less than a year are eligible to receive a transportation letter.

Because the application for a transportation letter can be complicated, please call for an appointment during our telephone hours.  Plan to come to the Embassy at least one week before your expected departure back to the U.S.

You will need to bring your valid passport and evidence that you have been in the United States within the past year, such as plane tickets or U.S. immigration stamps in your passport. 

The fee for a transportation letter is $165, payable in U.S. dollars or the Icelandic kronur equivalent.  The Embassy does not accept personal checks.  

Returning Resident Visas 

Legal Permanent Residents, also known as “green-card” holders, who remain outside the U.S. for longer than one year without prior Department of Homeland Security permission lose their permanent resident status and require a new immigrant visa to return to the United States.

An exception is made for those who obtain a re-entry permit before departing the United States.  Re-entry permits may be issued for a period of up to two years.

Green-card holders who have been out of the U.S. for more than a year and wish to return to the U.S. to reside there may be eligible for a new immigrant visa, known as a returning resident visa.  They must demonstrate, however, that they did not intend to abandon their U.S. residence when they departed the U.S. and that they remained outside the U.S. for longer than permitted for reasons beyond their control.

If you would like to apply for a returning resident visa, please call for an appointment during our telephone hours.  

Click here for further information on Returning Resident requirements.

For further questions about Returning Resident visas please e-mail us at reykjavikconsular@state.gov.