How to Abandon Your Green Card

Abandoning your green card means giving up your status as a lawful permanent resident of the United States. If you have decided that you no longer want to maintain your permanent resident status, here are the steps you can take to abandon your green card:

1. Fill out Form I-407: The first step in abandoning your green card is to fill out Form I-407, which is the Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status. This form can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

2. Schedule an appointment: Once you have filled out Form I-407, you will need to schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the United States. You can find the nearest embassy or consulate on the U.S. Department of State website.

3. Attend the appointment: At your appointment, you will need to turn in your green card, along with your completed Form I-407. The consulate officer will review your form, and you will be asked to sign it.

4. Obtain a Certificate of Loss of Nationality: After you have surrendered your green card and completed Form I-407, the consulate officer will issue you a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. This document proves that you have abandoned your status as a lawful permanent resident.

It is important to note that once you abandon your green card, you will no longer be able to live or work in the United States without obtaining the appropriate visa or immigration status. Additionally, abandoning your green card may impact your ability to return to the United States in the future.